With Ben Stokes pulling out of the lucrative IPL Mega Auction, one of the top all-rounders won’t be available. But the teams will certainly be looking to fill in the voids. All-Rounders play a vital role in the T20 game. The current scenario of world cricket has a few good all-rounders but the deterioration is evident. An all-rounder gives much-needed stability to the IPL teams. So, who are the top 10 all-rounders in IPL 2022 Mega Auction? Who are the ones who will bring the balance in the teams? Here’s a look:
10) Dwayne Bravo is one of top 10 all-rounders:
DJ Bravo the West Indian charmer is a good pick as an all-rounder. What Bravo brings to the table is experience. Bravo happens to be the third most capped player in the T20s after Pollard and Gayle. Although Bravo is aging he is aging like fine wine. His cutters and slower ones are very well disguised. Bravo has an economy of 8.5 in the death overs which makes him a perfect choice. Bravo’s batting is not in its prime but when required, the Trinidadian can come to the party.
9) Jason Holder:
Jason Holder, the former captain of the West Indies white-ball team, is highly rated by ICC. Jason doesn’t have the pinch-hitting game but he certainly has the game to move the ball around. He is a good pick to bat at number 6 or 7. If you pick Holder, who happens to be one of the top 10 all-rounders, he gives you a full quota of 4 overs. He has an economy of 8.2.
8) Shakib Al Hasan:
Shakib has been the top all-rounder in world cricket since the 2010s. It takes a lot of hard work and diligence to stay at the top for so long. Shakib brings with him a truckload of experience. He has been playing freelance cricket for quite some time now. Hasan bowls his overs quickly so he can be used to maintain the over rate as well. He has a lot to offer with the bat. If required, Shakib can bat number 3 as well because he has done the same for the Bangladesh National team.
7) Sam Curran:
Sam Curran and his innings against India in the last ODI at Ahmedabad can prove his batting skills. Curran is a left-hander and produces the feared angle to the right-handers. He consistently bowls at 135-140 kmph. Curran has his set of variations as well. He has a well-disguised slower ball. Chennai Super Kings made effective use of Sam. If required Sam can open the innings for pinch-hitting in the powerplay overs.
6) Vijay Shankar is one of top 10 all-rounders :
Vijay Shankar was expected to replace Hardik Pandya. But due to injuries, his career at the top level was cut short. But Vijay has made a comeback and has taken leadership duties for Tamil Nadu at the domestic level. Shankar is an Indian and an Indian pace-bowling all-rounder is an exclusive commodity. Shankar can effectively bat at number 4 or number 5 and hold the innings together. Vijay Shankar is certainly one of the top 10 all-rounders on the list.
5) Shivam Dube is one of top 10 all-rounders :
Similar to Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube is a good choice. Dube looks to be a more talented and gifted batsman. Shivam is a left-hander and this gives him an added advantage. One can never forget his 5 sixes in one over in the final of the Mumbai T20 league. Dube bowls at a medium pace of 130-135 and has a set of variations. His knuckleball and off-cutter are most used. Dube is again, an Indian and hence the franchises will prefer him over any other overseas pick.
4) Mohammad Nabi:
Mohammad Nabi, the Afghani spin-wizard has been playing since the time of Aakash Chopra! This definitely gives a reference to the amount of experience that he brings with him. Nabi can bowl a few good overs in the powerplay. Nabi uses pace-variation as a spinner. He can be used as a pinch-hitter as he has a strike rate of over 170 in the last 5 overs. Nabi is one of the top 10 all-rounders in world cricket.
3) Krunal Pandya:
Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spinner from Baroda, is one of the top 10 all-rounders in the auction pool. Pandya has a lot of experience playing at the domestic level. The Pandya brothers were scouted by the Mumbai Indians management, John Wright to be precise. Pandya has been playing in the IPL for 5 years and has played at almost every ground. Pandya bowls several variations and his yorker is dreaded.
2) Chris Woakes:
Chris Woakes and his stats are similar to Ben Stokes. It is just that Stokes has stepped up whenever the opportunity has come and Woakes’ performances are unrecognized. Chris Woakes can swing the ball in the powerplay overs. A pitch like the Ahmedabad one or the Dharmshala one can favor him as a bowler. His batting abilities are good too. Gautam Gambhir rates Chris Woakes very highly.
Honorable Mentions:
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Harshal Patel
- Rishi Dhawan
1) Mitchell Marsh:
Mitchell Marsh, the Man of the Match of the Final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is a good choice as an all-rounder. Marsh hasn’t had long runs in the IPL due to injuries. He has previously represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Marsh has improved his game significantly in the past 2 years. Marsh plays for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL and has been consistent with the bat. His batting overshadows his bowling but he can give a few handy overs. He bowls well over 130 kmph and has good variations.