In the Indian Premier League (IPL), all-rounders are the most valued players. On many occasions, an all-rounder - Yuvraj Singh, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, etc. - got snapped up for a hefty price at the auction. Every IPL franchise will have that one player who could make the difference with the bat and ball. This blog lists five of the best all-rounders in IPL and their contributions and achievements with their respective IPL franchises.
Russell to Pollard - The Best All-time IPL All-Rounders
Since 2008, all-rounders have played a significant role in the IPL. Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, etc., have produced match-winning performances in the IPL finals. Kolkata Knight Riders’ Caribbean duo Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have single-handedly won matches for their franchise with terrific all-round efforts. Here’s our pick of the top five all-time rounders in IPL based on their impactful and consistent all-round performances.
Top 5 All-time All-rounders in IPL
Shane Watson
Watson is among the few players who have won an IPL title with multiple franchises. The Aussie, playing for Rajasthan Royals, won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the IPL inaugural season - 472 runs and 17 wickets. While at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Watson played a pivotal role in the 2018 final, scoring a match-winning 117* against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Wankhede. He is undoubtedly the best all-rounder to have graced the IPL.
Andre Russell
Russell’s USP in IPL is quickfire knocks and wicket-taking spells. His move to KKR was the turning point in his IPL career as he established one of the most prominent all-rounders in the league. The 36-year-old won the IPL MVP award twice - in 2015 and 2019. With 52 sixes in the 2019 season, he is second in the list of most sixes in an IPL season. Meanwhile, he has the best bowling figures by a KKR player - 5/15 vs Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2021.
Dwayne Bravo
The legendary T20 all-rounder has plenty of IPL records in his name. Making his debut with MI in 2008, Bravo is the first player to pick up 30 wickets in an IPL season and the first to win two Purple Caps. His performances with the bat weren’t bad either, as he racked up 371 runs for CSK in 2012 and has five IPL titles. In the 2011, 2018, and 2021 seasons, he was part of the title-winning CSK squad.
Sunil Narine
Like Russell, Narine is one of the consistent and reliable players for KKR. While he is known for his bowling exploits, Narine, a three-time IPL winner, has produced remarkable performances with the bat. He made a 15-ball half-century in IPL 2017 and was KKR’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2024 with 488 runs. The 36-year-old is the only player to have won the IPL MVP award thrice - in 2012, 2018, and 2024.
Kieron Pollard
Among all the top all-rounders, Pollard has won the most IPL titles. The former West Indian captain played a pivotal role for MI in their all five IPL-winning seasons. With over 3000 runs, 69 wickets, and 103 catches, Pollard is a champion T20 cricketer. Pollard was the Player of the Match in the IPL 2013 final for his unbeaten half-century and figures of 1/34 in four overs. During his 13-year IPL career, Pollard has scored 16 half-centuries and registered a four-wicket haul.
Concluding Thoughts
Cricket fans have witnessed the rise of many all-rounders in IPL. However, the likes of Watson, Russell, Bravo, Narine, and Pollard have left a huge impression on T20 enthusiasts with their consistent performances with the bat and ball over the years.
FAQs
Who is the best all-time IPL all-rounder?
Shane Watson is considered one of the finest IPL all-rounders. The Aussie has scored 3874 runs and taken 92 wickets in 145 matches
Which all-rounder has won the most IPL titles?
Among all-rounders, Kieron Pollard has won the IPL the most number of times. He won the IPL trophy with Mumbai Indians in the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 seasons.
How many wickets have Sunil Narine and Andre Russell taken in the IPL?
Sunil Narine and Andre Russell have taken 180 and 115 wickets, respectively, in IPL.