ANALYSIS
Follow UsWe are now past the halfway mark of the IPL 2022. Let us assess which batters have made the maximum impact.
A brief about the methodology. We have accounted for the following factors while assessing the impact of each batter:
1. Venues
There has not been a start difference between the venues unlike last season when Wankhede and Chepauk were poles apart. However, Brabourne still offered a run-fest in the first few games.
2. Innings
The second important parameter is batting in the first innings vs the second. A more impactful batter should be able to contribute either way. The impact of dew has varied across games. Sides batting first have won 17 of the 37 games. Hence it is safe to have runs scored in the first innings measured separately than in the second.
3. Phase
Even in its short duration, T20 requires a different approach in different phases. The field restrictions warrant the openers to focus on boundary hitting in the first six overs. Whereas in the last five overs, the demand is to be fearless. It is often the middle overs (7-15) that are tricky and help us differentiate between the good and the great.
4. Pace vs spin
This goes without saying. For a batter to have more impact he should be adept to take on both pace and spin.
In our analysis, we have considered the average runs scored per ball, in each of these phases, across innings at each venue against a bowler type. The final objective is to assess how many runs above or below average a batter has scored at a venue in an innings in a phase versus a bowler type.
Now the actual analysis entails including each of the four parameters into one common factor. Four venues, three phases, two innings, and two bowler types give us 48 slabs of weightage which we will use for further calculations.
What these weights inform us is the number of runs players have scored per ball on an average at a particular venue, in that innings, that phase, and versus the bowler type. For e.g. an average batsman has scored 1.37 runs per ball at Brabourne against pace while batting in the first innings in the first six overs. The same number is 1.5 against spin with all other parameters constant.
Now to arrive at a score for each batsman, we have used this weightage to assess the total runs each batsman has scored above what an average batsman would have scored. To make sure that batters with certain consistency qualify for the analysis, we have limited the analysis to those who have scored 150+ runs so far. (Sorry Bhanuka Rajapaksa)
There are 30 batters with 150+ runs after 37 games. Here is how they stack up based on the above calculation:
A score of 94.05 implies that Jos Buttler has scored these many runs more than average batsmen who would have batted in his place in the first seven games. As expected, he is head and shoulders above everyone else.
Prithvi Shaw has been a part of such lists since last season. Punjab Kings would feel great that their punt on paying Liam Livingstone big bucks has been vindicated. Rahul Tripathi leads the pack for uncapped players on the run charts as well as impact rankings.
Rajasthan have four of their batters in the top-15. And thus, the absence of a deep batting line-up has not hurt them so far. Gujarat and Hyderabad have only one in the top-15 but still, top the table. Goes to show the importance of a good bowling unit in a T20 tournament. The absence of any Mumbai batter in the top-15 is representative of their fortunes this season. Not to add that Ishan Kishan has scored 30.84 runs less than an average batter would in his place.
Those searching for Virat Kohli, look away. He is yet to score 150 runs this season.
