Ever since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it has staged spectacular action events involving the greatest all-rounders. From Shane Watson and Jacques Kallis in the initial seasons to Andre Russell and Hardik Pandya today, all-rounders have consistently played a pivotal role in their teams’ fortunes. Who does, after all, open the discussion with the best all rounder in IPL history?
In this article, the 10 best all rounders from IPL history, as well as what sets them apart and makes them the best.
Top 20 Best All Rounders in IPL History
The table listed below shows the best all rounder in IPL History:
| No. | Player | Teams | Matches | Batting Inns | Runs | Batting Avg | Bowling Overs | Wickets | Bowling Avg |
| 1 | S K Raina | CSK, GUJ | 205 | 200 | 5528 | 32.52 | 154.2 | 25 | 45.80 |
| 2 | S R Watson | RRO, RCB, CSK | 145 | 141 | 3874 | 30.99 | 338.1 | 92 | 29.15 |
| 3 | K A Pollard | MIN | 189 | 171 | 3412 | 28.67 | 246 | 69 | 31.26 |
| 4 | Y K Pathan | RRO, KKR, SUN | 174 | 154 | 3204 | 29.13 | 189.1 | 42 | 33.02 |
| 5 | R A Jadeja | RRO, KTK, CSK, GUJ | 240 | 184 | 2959 | 27.40 | 638.1 | 160 | 30.40 |
| 6 | G J Maxwell | DDV, MIN, KXI, RCB | 134 | 129 | 2771 | 24.74 | 157.2 | 37 | 35.22 |
| 7 | Yuvraj Singh | KXI, PWI, RCB, DDV, SUN, MIN | 132 | 126 | 2750 | 24.77 | 144.5 | 36 | 29.92 |
| 8 | H H Pandya | MIN, GTI | 137 | 128 | 2525 | 28.69 | 236.2 | 64 | 33.59 |
| 9 | A D Russell | DDV, KKR | 127 | 105 | 2484 | 29.22 | 282.5 | 115 | 23.01 |
| 10 | J H Kallis | RCB, KKR | 98 | 96 | 2427 | 28.55 | 290.2 | 65 | 35.28 |
| 11 | D R Smith | MIN, DCH, CSK, GUJ | 91 | 89 | 2385 | 28.39 | 89.5 | 26 | 31.15 |
| 12 | J-P Duminy | MIN, DCH, DDV | 83 | 77 | 2029 | 39.78 | 113 | 23 | 36.26 |
| 13 | M P Stoinis | KXI, RCB, DDV, LSG | 96 | 88 | 1866 | 28.27 | 133.5 | 43 | 29.63 |
| 14 | A R Patel | KXI, DDV | 150 | 113 | 1653 | 21.47 | 516.3 | 123 | 30.55 |
| 15 | K H Pandya | MIN, LSG | 127 | 111 | 1647 | 22.56 | 353.4 | 76 | 34.29 |
| 16 | D J J Bravo | MIN, CSK, GUJ | 161 | 113 | 1560 | 22.61 | 519.5 | 183 | 23.83 |
| 17 | S P Narine | KKR | 177 | 110 | 1534 | 17.04 | 679.1 | 180 | 25.39 |
| 18 | M M Ali | RCB, CSK | 67 | 57 | 1162 | 22.78 | 126.2 | 35 | 25.51 |
| 19 | I K Pathan | KXI, DDV, SUN, RPS, GUJ | 103 | 82 | 1139 | 21.49 | 340.3 | 80 | 33.11 |
| 20 | Ben stoks | GT, RR, RPS, CSK | 45 | 44 | 935 | 24.61 | 114.5 | 28 | 33.43 |
Now that you’re familiar with the best all-rounders in the IPL, let’s dive deeper into the top 10 players and explore what makes them stand out.
1. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina had all-rounder status no. 1 in IPL and an important player for Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions. Some of the most explosive and reliable all-rounders in IPL history, he enjoyed throwing in some of the most satisfying knockouts representing performance under pressure with several match-winning innings throughout his career. With over 5500 runs in 205 matches and useful part-time spin, his presence always added depth and stability to his team.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 205 | 200 | 5528 | 32.52 | 154.2 | 25 | 45.80 |
2. Shane Watson
Shane Watson is one all-rounder that has taken order in the ball for Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings while smashing high and viciously with the bat up front. He is known to lift his game in big matches, one of which is the IPL finals, where he scored two centuries, thereby sealing his reputation as a match-winner when it mattered most.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 145 | 141 | 3874 | 30.99 | 338.1 | 92 | 29.15 |
3. Kieron Pollard
Pollard was the pulsating element behind the Mumbai Indians’ victorious campaign. With his cavalier batting finishes, steady medium-fast bowling, and electrifying fielding especially at the deep, Pollard has rightly earned a place as one of the biggest-game impact all-rounders in the league.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 189 | 171 | 3412 | 28.67 | 246 | 69 | 31.26 |
4. Yusuf Pathan
A dynamic player across franchises like Rajasthan Royals, KKR, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Yusuf Pathan was known for his fearless hitting and handy off-spin. He made his teams win many times simply with his efforts in the middle overs.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 174 | 154 | 3204 | 23.13 | 189.1 | 42 | 33.02 |
5. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is truly a definition of an all-dimensional cricketer. With economical and wicket-taking left-hand spin, improving batting, and unparalleled fielding skills, Jadeja is one of the most complete all-rounders in the IPL. He continues to be an asset for the Chennai Super Kings.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 226 | 174 | 2717 | 26.64 | 595.1 | 152 | 29.71 |
6. Glenn Maxwell
Nickname, The Big Show, Glenn Maxwell is one player with unrivaled flamboyance in the game. His batting can change the course of a match within minutes, his off-spin often breaks up crucial partnerships, and Maxwell’s energetic fielding adds yet another dimension to his T20 value.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 130 | 112 | 2722 | 25.92 | 145.2 | 33 | 36.67 |
7. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, an outstanding all-rounder from India, has brought his trademark aggression and left arm spin to the IPL. Yuvraj Singh might be supposed variedly from the teams he played for in the years, but the hallmark of his capability as a player rests on both bat and ball, making him an asset for the entire IPL journey.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 132 | 126 | 2750 | 24.77 | 144.5 | 36 | 29.92 |
8. Hardik Pandya
The young Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya has taken the entire cricketing universe through a different channel by showcasing some of the best lower-order batting coupled with sharp and steely pace bowling. While he was already well-established as an all-around player, the leadership skills of Hardik Pandya were highlighted forcefully when he led the Gujarat Titans with astonishing calmness to win the IPL crown in their debut season.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 123 | 116 | 2320 | 30.13 | 203.2 | 53 | 33.83 |
9. Andre Russell
Andre Russell is a real beast when it comes to Twenty Twenty cricket. He can change the game in just a few overs with bat and ball and has explosive power in batting and fast bowling that terrifies every opposition team. He has been a game-changer for Kolkata Knight Riders again and again.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 112 | 97 | 2326 | 29.82 | 255.3 | 98 | 24.24 |
10. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is an incredible all-round cricketer who came to the IPL and rocked the tournament, but for KKR, he was at his best. His beautiful and calm top-order batting, combined with quite steady medium pace and sharp fielding, made him a complete and dependable performer.
| Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Bat Avg | Overs | Wickets | Bowl Avg |
| 98 | 96 | 2427 | 28.55 | 290.2 | 65 | 35.28 |
While the player’s contribution is a vital cog for the overall success of any team, there are other players whose maintenance of high performance for a prolonged period across several seasons becomes more important. All-rounders can change the face of the game, hence it becomes imperative to keep a tab on them for IPL betting.
Analyzing The Best All-Rounder Season-wise
To truly adjudge the best of the lot among the IPL all-rounders, it is important to measure their performance season by season. Let’s venture into recent IPL editions where some performances truly stood out as performances by all-rounders:
- 2020 – Marcus Stoinis of Delhi Capitals making his mark with 352 runs and 13 wickets-all of which testify his utility.
- 2021 – Ravindra Jadeja of Chennai Super Kings scale to phenomenal heights with a season in which he scored 227 runs at a strike rate of 145.51 and took 13 wickets-the highest in IPL history and one of the players who has most four-wicket hauls.
- 2022 – Hardik Pandya was a most remarkable captain-in-excellence-leading by example and most dangerous all-rounder in IPL-amassing 487 runs himself and taking 8 wickets in helping establish his side to title win in their inaugural season.
- 2023 – Rashid Khan literally ruled the roost with all-around brilliance by scoring a phenomenal 130 runs at an unthinkable strike rate of 216.66 and taking 27 wickets.
But future insights foresee the rise of a new generation of all-rounders-the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel with the most catches in IPL-likely to surface soon as the next big stars of the IPL.
Conclusion
All-rounders have a vital role in any IPL team. They hold the key in balancing the side with bat and ball, and their finesse can often produce favorable results in tight contests. Whether it is scoring essential runs, taking vital wickets, or pulling off brilliant catches-they win the game.
But being the best all-rounder isn’t just about stats. It’s about stepping up when the team needs it most and consistently winning matches. As the IPL keeps growing, all-rounders will play an even bigger role and continue to shine as the real stars of the game.
Want to track the performance of your favorite all-rounders? Stay updated with the latest stats and match insights on the Indibet App!
FAQs
- Who is the best all-rounder in IPL history?
Being a key player for the Chennai Super Kings, Suresh Raina tops the list for his all-around contributions with the bat and the ball.
- Who is the all-rounder with the most wickets in the IPL?
Dwayne Bravo leads with 183 wickets, showing his prowess with the ball over many seasons.
- Who was the best all-rounder in IPL 2022?
Hardik Pandya shined brightly with 487 runs and 8 wickets, leading the Gujarat Titans to the title in their very first season.
- Why are all-rounders so important in IPL?
All-rounders are there to provide balance by contributing with bat or ball or…mostly looking to change the outcome of games at crucial moments.
