The shortest format of the game of cricket requires a great deal of multitasking on the part of every participating entity, be it the players, the management, or the organizers and umpires. All-rounders play an especially important role because they provide that crucial extra bowling option in times of need and add to the depth of the batting of a team. The IPL is no different in its reliance on its multi-talented players. So here’s looking back at the 10 Best All Rounders of IPL 2022.
1. Hardik Pandya
Team – Gujarat Titans
The world can’t seem to stop singing his praises after the season he’s had, both as a player and as a captain. The captain of the current champion of the IPL had quite the season individually as well. He was an in-form all-rounder who led as a captain should. His individual highest came up to an 87* added to his total of 487 runs through the season. He took 8 wickets through the season, which included an IPL career-best 3/17 in the finals, where his team needed breakthroughs desperately. His calm leadership, trust in himself and his new team and sheer skill helped in putting GT in a winning spot in almost every game they played this year. It also helped make Pandya one of the 10 Best All-Rounders of IPL 2022.
2. Liam Livingstone
Team – Punjab Kings
An all-rounder is a dependable option for a captain to turn to in times of crisis. That’s probably the rationale that PBKS went with while spending a small fortune on young Liam Livingstone. His prowess with the bat and the ball were tested this season and he proved to be quite good with both. While he didn’t get the ball much this year, he still managed to pick up 6 wickets and pull his team out of some tight spots with well-bowled overs. His run with the bat was another story though. He made 437 runs with an individual highest of 70. His runs came at an average of 36.42 and a brilliant strike rate of 182.08. Livingstone has been integral to Punjab’s play this year, and will probably be retained and depended on in seasons to come too.
3. Andre Russell
Team – Kolkata Knight Riders
It’s difficult to make a list of the 10 best all-rounders in IPL 2022 and not include one of the most feared all-rounders in the world at present. As usual, Andre Russell put on a show for the world and ardent KKR fans almost every time he was on the field. While the team had its fair share of hiccups on their road to the playoffs, Russell held it together for them on several occasions. With 335 runs over the season, it became clear that he’s not here to fool around. His individual best was 70* and that was the day we all wished we were in the stadium! He often became an integral part of the bowling attack when some or other bowler failed the team and thus took 17 fantastic wickets at an economy of 9.87. He’s been the reason for the downfall of many a team on the field and the fans adore him all the more for it.
4. Glenn Maxwell
Team – Royal Challengers Bangalore
The ever-dependable Aussie finds himself on this list of the 10 best all-rounders in IPL 2022 for good reason. RCB had a splendid season this year with a few expected roadblocks. While they couldn’t make it to the finals, Maxwell proved once again why he’s so well-loved on the field in any team. His total score of 301 came at an average of 27.36 and a strike rate of 169.10, making him an extremely valuable asset to the team. Maxwell’s individual highest was a splendid 55 and he contributed to the team’s performance on the scoreboard consistently. He also took 6 wickets through the season at a miserly average of 6.88. He’s been an option for the team to fall back on continuously and the fans really love seeing him in the field.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Team – Rajasthan Royals
The senior, trusted attack of the Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin proved to be very useful for his team. He has had the reputation of a durable and skilled bowler and he brought all of his experience into this season, helping RR to make it to the finals for the first time since the very first season. For RR, He came to bat at number 3, batted at number 5, and came out to at number 8 as well, to help his side with a finisher’s knock. He made a total of 191 runs with the highest score of 50. With an economy of 7.51, he took 12 wickets through the course of the season, adding weight to the bowling lineup to support the team’s incredible batting. He’s been dependable and he’s delivered more often than not, so let’s hope we see more of him in this squad in the coming years.
6. Mitchell Marsh
Team – Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals didn’t have the season they’d expected this year, but it wasn’t without merit entirely. Mitchell Marsh was a boon to the team both with the bat and as an extra bowling option. His individual highest with the bat was a brilliant 89, adding to the total of 251 runs at a strike rate of 132.80. Even with the ball, he proved to be a worthy option, taking 4 wickets and bowling rather economical overs. His bowling average came up to be 25.50 and his economy a mere 8.50. The Aussie all-rounder was an experienced option for Delhi who didn’t quite use him to full potential, but his skill helped him make it to the list of the 10 Best All-Rounders of IPL 2022.
7. Moeen Ali
Team – Chennai Super Kings
In a rather difficult season for the team, Moeen Ali stepped up as the spirited, skilled senior for the CSK this year. His performance through the season was one of the few silver linings for the team’s fans. With a total of 244 runs at an average of 24.40, Ali made CSK games more hopeful for supporters in a mostly hopeless season. His personal best of 93 was a particular highlight. He proved to be an economical bowling option for his team, taking 8 wickets and letting very few runs slip through his hands. All in all, Moeen Ali had quite the season even if his team didn’t.
8. Shahbaz Ahmed
Team – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Yet another young talent from the subcontinent that stormed through this season was Shahbaz Ahmed. The new RCB all-rounder put on quite the show on the field. He made 219 runs for his team at an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of just over 120. He showed incredible character and skill on the field and looked quite ready to take on some of the biggest names in world cricket, considering this was only his third season. His bowling performance was slightly lacking, with only 4 wickets and quite a few runs given away. However, he proved to be a stable enough option as a bowler for the team.
9. Krunal Pandya
Team – Lucknow Super Giants
If one brother is on the list, it’s only fair the other makes it too. Krunal Pandya, as the brilliant all-rounder option for the crowd favorite LSG, proved himself worthy of all the praise that’s being heaped on him. He’s been consistent in his performance for the Mumbai Indians for years now. So when he was picked up by the debutante team people were curious to see how he’d perform. And boy did he perform! While the team fell short of their dream to be in the finals, Pandya established himself as a dependable option for them, with 183 runs this season at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 126.21. He surpassed his brother and took 10 brilliant wickets this year at an economy of 6.97. Here’s hoping his consistency earns him a more permanent spot on the playing 11 of the Indian team soon as well.
10. Axar Patel
Team – Delhi Capitals
The young Indian left-arm bowler had quite a productive season this IPL even as his team failed to. Axar Patel made it a point to do whatever he could to pull his team over the edge in several games. His performance with the bat was quite something considering how low down the order he usually came out to bat. With a 182 over the season at an average of 45.50 and a strike rate of 151.67, Patel helped put up crucial runs on the board for DC. His role as a bowler did come under fire for he took only 6 wickets through the season, but that can be credited to the pressure he and the whole team were under. Here’s hoping we see more of this young lad on the field, for both Delhi and for team India.
Images courtesy: iplt20.com
The 10 best all-rounders in IPL 2022 have been some of the prime reasons this season has been so very competitive and entertaining. Their grace on and off the field is rare and coveted, making their achievements all the more gratifying.