IPL 2023: Best All-Rounders in IPL History

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a popular T20 cricket tournament, featuring some of the best players from India and around the world. An important part of a team’s success in IPL is having an all-rounder; someone who can both bat and bowl, as well as field effectively. This article looks at some of the best all-rounders in IPL history and discusses why they are so successful.

All-rounders are arguably one of the most valuable assets to have on a team, due to their multi-dimensional skillset. A good all-rounder needs to be able to contribute with both bat and ball, score runs quickly, or defend tenaciously when needed. Furthermore, all-rounders must also possess excellent fielding skills to complete their role on the pitch.

Here’s a look at the top-6 all-rounders in the IPL history.

These are cricketers who have been able to contribute significantly on both ends – often taking decisive wickets and hitting game-changing knocks – adding value to their respective teams in every match they play. From Ravindra Jadeja to Hardik Pandya, these stars have made major contributions throughout IPL’s thirteen seasons thus far, and their performances deserve special recognition for their invaluable contribution to cricketing excellence in India.

1. Jacques Kallis – Best All-Rounder in IPL

Jacques Kallis was the cornerstone of the Kolkata Knight Riders batting line-up for many years. Despite not having a combative batting style, he had an immense impact on the team. He scored more than 1000 runs in 11 IPL seasons and was also part of two successful title campaigns for the side.

The South African all-rounder’s contributions were most evident in his support to his fellow batsmen. His calmness and composure at the crease helped build crucial partnerships, allowing other batsmen to score freely without pressure.

Furthermore, Kallis was also a dependable wicketkeeper – often taking over the gloves from Piyush Chawla during matches – while his bowling gave him much-needed flexibility as captain Gautam Gambhir could count on him to fill any gaps that appeared in an innings.

2. Shane Watson – Best IPL all rounder

Shane Watson is one of the most successful all-rounders in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been an influential figure for a number of teams, and his contributions both with the bat and ball have helped his sides to great success. Having played for several top-tier IPL franchises over 12 years, Watson has established himself as one of the best all-rounders in IPL history.

Watson has been an integral part of the IPL since its inception in 2008, playing for several teams over the course of 13 seasons. He has won two IPL titles, one with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and one with Rajasthan Royals (RR), along with various individual awards.

During his IPL career, he scored 3874 runs and took 92 wickets while playing mainly for the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings, where he was a regular starter. As part of the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, Watson also won the award for Player of the Tournament.

3. Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard is one of the most successful all-rounders in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. He has played for a number of teams, including Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, and Barbados Tridents, during his 12-year IPL career. Pollard’s skill set includes batting, bowling, and fielding capabilities, which have earned him the reputation as being one of the best all-rounders in IPL history.

Kieron Pollard is one of the most prominent members in the Mumbai Indians’ squad. The IPL team has won a record five championships and Pollard, both as an all-rounder and batsman, has been instrumental in these successes. He has been playing for the side since 2010 and has scored 3667 runs to date at a strike rate of 15.

The 35-year-old Trinidadian cricketer was recently awarded the ‘Most Valuable Player award during his team’s win against Kolkata Knight Riders in May 2020. He scored an unbeaten 60 off just 28 balls which included two sixes and seven fours. This performance helped Mumbai secure its fifth IPL title victory, making it the first team to do so.

4. Andrew Russell

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the biggest annual cricket tournament in the world, and it has seen some of the best players in the game compete. One player who stands out as a unique all-rounder is Andre Russell. The Jamaican-born cricketer has been a consistent performer for Kolkata Knight Riders since 2015, contributing to their success with both his bowling and batting skills. 

The IPL has seen some remarkable batting performances over the years, and Andre Russell’s contributions have been no less than extraordinary. The Jamaican all-rounder has often been the difference between success and failure for his team Kolkata Knight Riders. With an impressive batting strike rate of nearly 180, he is one of the top run-getters in the IPL with more than 500 runs in total.

His explosive hitting ability combined with his adept bowling skills make him a true asset to any team. Russell’s accomplishments as an all-rounder go far beyond just being a dangerous batsman; he is also an exceptional fielder who can take spectacular catches without fail.

His presence on the field brings intensity and enthusiasm that can inspire teammates to greatness. However, despite his incredible performances, he often tends to be overshadowed by other players in the league due to their higher profile or greater achievements.

5. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is an Indian international cricketer and a left-arm orthodox spin bowler who has made a name for himself in the world of cricket. He has been playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2008 and has since become one of the most sought-after players in the tournament. His all-round performance on the field and knack for taking crucial wickets have made him an important asset to his team.

He has not only created an immense impact with his bat skills and ball skills, but has also become well known for his fielding standards in addition to the accomplishments he has made with his bat. He has inflicted 23 run-outs in his IPL career – the most by any player. Jadeja is also the only player in the IPL to score 2000+ runs and pick up 100+ wickets. He is one of the best all rounders in the IPL, and he deserves to be.

6. Dwyane Bravo in IPL as allrounder

Dwyane Bravo is a well-known name in the world of cricket and especially in the Indian Premier League (IPL). A Trinidadian all rounder, Bravo has had an illustrious career with his nation’s team as well as IPL teams. He is known to have played some vital innings both with the bat and ball along with being an exceptional fielder.

Bravo has been part of many successful teams throughout his career, making crucial contributions to their success. Dwyane Bravo is one of the most successful all-rounders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 156 wickets to his name and over 1500 runs under his belt. 

The Trinidadian cricketer, who made his IPL debut in 2008, is currently ranked third on the list of highest wicket-takers in IPL history. With a total of 156 wickets grabbed throughout the course of his IPL career, Bravo has proved himself to be an invaluable asset for any team he plays for.

Not only has Dwyane Bravo been successful as a bowler in the IPL but he has also managed to score a good amount of runs as well. He has scored over 1500 runs in total during his time playing for various franchises such as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.