It is a popular belief that all rounders are the biggest assets for any team in the sport of cricket, more so in the limited overs format. As the IPL celebrations begin, we list down our top 5 favorite all rounders from the tournament who provided their teams with extraordinary services with both bat and the ball and left an indelible mark in the history of IPL.
1. Shane Watson
The former Australian all-rounder is one of the most valuable players in the history of IPL. Having represented teams like Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, Watson scored 3874 runs with a strike rate of 137.91 in his 141 innings. With the ball he claimed 92 wickets which also included a hattrick in 2014. Watson was adjudged player of the match 16 times in his entire IPL career. He was also one of the key players who scripted an epic title victory for an underdog Rajasthan Royals side in 2008. The big match player that he was, Watson often rose to the occasion and performed at crucial stages for his teams when it mattered the most. He was twice awarded the Man of the Tournament award in the years 2008 and 2013.
2. Ravindra Jadeja
The star all rounder has cemented his reputation as a destructive batsman and match winner left arm spinner with his consistency in recent years. Batting at lower order, Jadeja has smashed 2159 runs with a strike rate of 126 along with clinching 112 wickets so far. Conferred with knighthood by MS Dhoni himself, Sir Jadeja has pulled up wins for his teams with his immaculate fielding as well. The power hitter was also a part of Rajasthan Royals team that won the inaugural IPL trophy in 2008.
3. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo has proved to be one of CSK's biggest assets right since he joined the team in 2011. The Caribbean superstar is the fourth highest wicket taker in the history of IPL. In 140 matches, the right arm medium quick has clinched 153 wickets with an economy of 8.40. The 'Champion' also has 2 purple caps to his name that he won in the years 2013 and 2015. Bravo has also been an impressive contributor with the bat, having scored 1,490 runs in 104 innings with a strike rate of 128.23.
4. Kieron Pollard
One of Mumbai Indian's most impactful players, Kieron Pollard has been associated with MI right since his IPL debut in 2010. Pollard has been the most reliable man for the Blues with both bat and ball, having performed well in nerve wracking situations and pulling up wins for the franchise from tricky positions in do or die games. He has scored 3023 runs in his 147 outings with a strike rate of 149.88 while also taking 60 wickets. Not just that , the strong muscled Caribbean has also grabbed 90 catches and saved many matches for his side owing to his brilliant fielding skills. Needless to mention, Pollard has also played a very crucial role in the team's five successful IPL campaigns.
5. Jacques Kallis
South African legend Jacques Kallis played only 98 IPL games for franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders but ensured that he left a powerful impact in the record books of the tournament. One of the greatest all rounders of all time, Kallis scored 2427 runs in 97 innings along with 65 wickets under his belt with an economy of 7.90. His brief stay in the tournament as a player is marked by 10 player of the match performances.
