OPINION
Follow UsThe aim of this piece is to analyse the players in all-rounders category of the IPL 2020 auction pool. All the players in this category are assessed on their batting and bowling ability. This exercise is to group the players and place them in four different boxes. Each box represents a type of player.
For Batsmen: The players in the top right-hand section are considered to be consistent and quick scorers (Batting Average above 22.9 with Batting Strike Rate over 129.5).
The top left-hand section represents players who are quick scorers but not consistent (Batting Average below 22.9 but Batting Strike Rate above 129.5).
The bottom right-hand section players are observed as consistent but not quick scorers (Batting Average above 22.9 but Batting Strike Rate below 129.5).
And finally, the left-hand bottom section is regarded as players who are neither quick scorer nor consistent (Batting Average below 22.9 and Batting Strike Rate less than 129.5).
For Bowlers: The players in the top right-hand box are considered to be economical and wicket-takers (Bowling Economy Rate below 7.9 with Bowling Strike Rate less than 21)
The top left-hand box represents players who are wicket-takers but not economical (Bowling Economy Rate above 7.9 and Bowling Strike Rate below 21)
The bottom right-hand section players are observed as economical but not wicket-takers (Bowling Economy Rate below 7.9 but Bowling Strike Rate above 21)
Finally, the bottom left-hand section contains players who are neither economical nor wicket-takers (Bowling Economy Rate above 7.9 and Bowling Strike Rate over 21)
The rationale behind taking these values as a benchmark is to evaluate these bowlers with respect to the median value of the player sample in the auction.
To eliminate bias due to extreme values, a median (the middle value that separates the higher half from the lower half of the data set) not a mean (average) is considered for analysis. All numbers are taken since 2015 to ensure that the trends are over a large number of matches. The minimum qualification for analysis is 10 games since 2015.
After assessing the players based on their position as per the data since 2015, recent forms and other nuances of a few key players are analyzed in detail below.
Median since 2015
Batting average: 22.9
Batting strike-rate: 129.5
Median since 2015
Bowling economy: 7.9
Bowling strike-rate: 21
Now, based on the data we will look at some of the big players and some surprise picks. We will also assess these players on current form.
International players – Overall solid record with good current form
Glenn Maxwell – One of the best hitters in world cricket, it is not a surprise that Maxwell will be on the radar of many teams. A strike-rate of 150.4 at an average of 35.2 makes him invaluable for any team. His handy off-spin only adds to his already rich portfolio.
Pat Cummins – The number one Test bowler in the world, but T20 has not been his focus since 2018 (only eight games). However, in these matches, he has an economy rate of 6.7 and a strike-rate of 16.4. Given his class, he is a sure pick in this auction.
James Neesham – A hitter with the bat and a wicket-taker with the ball, Neesham adds a twofold value. (Numbers since 2018- Batting Strike-Rate: 137.8; Bowling Strike-Rate: 16.6)
International players – Overall good record but average IPL performance
Chris Morris – Turning the clock back, Morris was the ideal T20 all-rounder. Ability to hit big shots and bowl toe-crushing yorkers. After a mediocre IPL in 2019, the Delhi Capitals released him. However, 44 wickets in 2019 at 17.7 balls per wicket and an economy of 8.4 to go with a batting strike-rate of 139.6 still warrants a look in.
Colin Munro – One of the most successful T20I openers, with three T20I centuries. It is surprising that he hasn’t done well in IPL (Average 14.8 and Strike-rate 125.5). However, he can be backed to open for a franchise, especially those who have a batting-friendly home venue.
Colin de Grandhomme – The big-hitting Kiwi was released by RCB. His strike-rate is a big plus (150.8 since 2018). Despite not being very economical (9.5 since 2018) with the ball, he is still a good addition for any team that plays on slow wickets where his cutters can be useful, exactly like in the World Cup final.
Corey Anderson – Anderson has one of the best numbers with the bat since 2015. However, with an economy of 10.5 since 2018, it is not fair to call him an all-rounder. Also, a strike-rate of 125.6 this year makes it highly unlikely for him to get picked.
Chris Woakes – Statistically very similar to James Neesham since 2015 but is largely a bowling all-rounder. However, given mediocre returns in IPL 2017 and 2018 (economy 9.2) along with a perception of being pitch dependent bowler, it is unlikely that he will be picked.
Dan Christian – Christian was at his peak with the bat in 2018 (strike-rate: 164.8), however, his 2019 has not been great so far (127.5). His story with the ball has been reverse (economy 9.2 in 2018 vs. 8.1 in 2019). An experienced finisher, Christian can be a valuable back-up option for any franchise.
Uncapped players raring to be noticed
Sumit Kumar - The medium pace all-rounder for Haryana, Sumit averaged 31.1 with the bat at strike-rate of 139 in the last two editions of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He also picked 20 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.3 and a strike-rate of 15.3.
Akshay Karnewar – An ambidextrous spinner from Vidharbha took 19 wickets in 16 SMAT games (last two seasons) at a miserly 5.1 rpo and 15.3 balls per wicket.
Chris Green – It is a surprise that the T20 specialist Australian off-spinner Chris Green has not played IPL. He has a career T20 economy rate of 6.7 (6.6 since 2018).
Karim Janat – In 24 career matches, a bowling economy of 7.7 at 18.4 balls per wicket to go with a batting strike-rate of 142.1 makes very strong numbers. But, he still might have to wait for his IPL break.
Romario Shephard – A career batting strike-rate of 176.2 in 13 games along with 17 wickets at a strike-rate of 14 are great numbers. Should be on the watch list for the future.
Star players with substandard numbers
Sam Curran – A batting average of 19 with a strike-rate of 130.1 and a bowling economy of 8.7 with a strike-rate of 21 is below par across both facets. However, he might still attract a bid given the format’s affinity to all-rounders.
Marcus Stoinis – A career strike-rate of 125.2 does not do justice to Stoinis’ ability. Nor does it fulfil the need of a finisher, his predominant role. A bowling economy of 8.7 isn’t great either.
Mitchell Marsh – A batting-strike rate of 120 since 2015, but 97.7 since 2018 gives a shout to his T20 batting form. A bowling economy rate of 8.6 is not encouraging either.
Carlos Brathwaite – Reflecting his current form, a bowling economy of 8.5 since 2015 has further taken a dip to 8.9 since 2018. A good batting strike-rate of 141.8 since 2015 has tanked to 119.2 since 2018.
Angelo Matthews – A batting strike-rate of 121.1 since 2015, not the same impact with the ball and a base price of 2 crores, it is highly unlike that Mathews will attract a bid.
Yusuf Pathan – A batting all-rounder, his strike-rate has reduced to a mediocre 114.1 since 2018. Now 37, it is unlikely that Pathan will attract a bid.
