The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the biggest league in the world. In terms of global reach, money generated, cash prize offered, views garnered, and a lot more. In a league as fast-paced as this, it isn’t easy to survive like a lot of potential players are ready to grab a particular spot.
Although there are a plethora of batsmen and bowlers in the league, not many have made it as an all-rounder in this brutal format. The all-rounders are the ones who tend to add balance to the side in terms of quality and depth. Their value at the auction is usually high since they have the potential to turn a game on its head with the bat or the ball.
On that note, let’s take a look at five such all-rounders who’ve proven their worth for the team by achieving the rare double of 1000 runs and 50 wickets:
5) Andre Russell
Russell was bought by Delhi Daredevils in the 2012 IPL auctions for $450,000. He was unable to have much of an impact on them. As a result, he was let go by the franchise and in the 2014 IPL auctions, KKR showed faith in his prowess and bought him. Since then, he has turned into their biggest match-winner, dispatching the opposition bowling attack with disdain.
Since joining he has won the Player of the Tournament award once in 2019, a season where he had a staggering strike rate of 205. In 81 matches played in the IPL, Russell has scored 1680 runs at an average of 29.47, with an overall strike rate of 179.30.
His highest score of 88* came against Chennai Super Kings on 10th April 2018 – albeit in a losing cause.
4) Jacques Kallis
The big burly South-African is arguably the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen. A player of Kallis’ caliber is a once-in-a-generation type. Although his IPL record isn’t as great as his international, Kallis has had a lot of excellent performances playing for RCB and then KKR.
In a total of 98 matches for the franchises, Kallis has amassed 2427 at an average of 28.55, with a strike rate on the slower side at 109.23. He was more than capable of delivering four overs for his captain, having picked up 65 wickets at a decent economy rate of 7.90.
He was a vital component in the KKR side when they won two trophies in 2012 and 2014.
3) Shane Watson
Another all-rounder who has been successful in the IPL is Australian cricketer Shane Watson. He was an excellent opener, capable of taking bowlers apart on his day. His favorite stroke is the slog-sweep over cow corner, something he uses very effectively. Watson was instrumental in helping Rajasthan Royals win the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.
He has scored 3874 runs in 141 IPL matches, with four scintillating hundreds to his name. The runs he made came at a strike rate of 137.91, having made extensive use of powerplay restrictions. He’s extremely handy with his fast-medium right-arms as well, having picked up 92 wickets at a decent economy of 7.93.
Watson’s best IPL season came in 2013 where he scored 543 runs and 13 wickets, for which he won the MVP award.
2) Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja burst onto the scene after winning the 2008 U-19 World Cup and was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the maiden edition. He went on to make a mark under captain Shane Warne, winning the IPL 2008. Warne called him a ‘superstar in the making.’ Following a ban from IPL 2010 due to contractual irregularities, Jadeja was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011.
His big break, however, came the next year when he was bought by CSK for $2 million at the 2012 IPL auction. He has been an asset all around since and has thrived under Dhoni to become India’s most valuable all-rounder.
In 191 matches in the IPL, Jadeja has scored 2290 runs and picked up 116 wickets, with best figures of 5/16 coming against Deccan Chargers in the 2012 season.
1) Dwayne Bravo
Probably the most impactful all-rounder the IPL has ever seen, Bravo soon became MS Dhoni’s most-trusted death overs bowler. He has one of the best slower balls in the armory, something he whips out in the most dire of times. Bravo started off for the Mumbai Indians, playing for them in the first 3 seasons. Just like Jadeja, his move into the spotlight began while playing for CSK.
He is one of the only 2 players in IPL history to have won the purple cap twice, once in 2013 and the other in 2015. Following CSK’s ban from IPL for 2 seasons, he was bought by Gujarat Lions, being a major part of their progress to the playoffs in 2016.
He has scored 1510 runs in 144 matches, picking up a staggering 156 wickets in the meanwhile. Although his skills are on the wane, he will be a vital part of the CSK setup in phase 2 of the IPL 2021.