IPL 2018 will be witnessing some of the most brilliant batsmen and bowlers from all over the world. Starting from April 7, these players will be showcasing their talents on the biggest stage of them all, in world’s leading T20 league.
During the IPL 2018 auctions, the franchises were on the lookout for talented all-rounders and spend big on some of the best all-rounders in the world for their teams. These players are vital for their teams, as they perform with both the bat and the ball. They have the potential to change the game with either skill and hence demand more respect and money.
Here are 5 such all-rounders to watch out for in IPL 11:
Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)
Shane Watson was a part of RCB in the previous edition of IPL and even captained the franchise in absence of both Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. However, RCB decided not to continue their association with the Australian all-rounder, after ending at the bottom of the points table in IPL 2017.
Chennai Super Kings brought Watson for INR 4 crore and the Aussie will be playing under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Watson has been in good form in the ongoing Pakistan Super League with both bat and the ball and MS Dhoni and CSK will hope that he will continue to do so in the upcoming IPL 2018 also.
Shakib-Al-Hasan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Shakib-Al-Hasan is currently nursing a finger injury and is out of commission. He was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2018 auctions for INR 2 crore. Hasan was previously part of the KKR franchise.
Shakib is currently the top-ranked all-rounder in Tests and ODIs and is the no.2 all-rounder in the T20I format. One of the best all-rounders of his generation, the Bangladeshi star will provide service to SRH team, who will be led by David Warner.
Shakib is a seasoned campaigner and knows the in and out of T20 format, having played for BPL, BBL, CPL and IPL in the last decade. SRH have got themselves a brilliant player who can change the game with either the bat or the ball.
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
Hardik Pandya entered the Indian team thanks to his exploits during the Mumbai Indians’ IPL winning run in 2015. Pandya triumphed for MI on several occasions thanks to his big hitting abilities and economical bowling performances.
Hardik Pandya has become a vital cog in the Indian team since making his debut in 2016 and he has the Mumbai Indians to thank it for. He was also retained by the MI franchise, along with Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Now it will be his responsibility as a senior player, to help Rohit and MI defend their title.
Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
Dwayne Bravo missed the IPL 2017 due to his thigh injury. He played for Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 and before that, was part of Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and was bought by CSK in IPL 2018 auction for INR 6.40 crores.
Dwayne Bravo, who has become a full-time T20 league specialist, will be eager to play in the IPL, a league where he is immensely popular for his on-field and off-field antics. One of the greatest all-rounders in the game, Bravo is one of the two bowlers to win the purple cap twice in the IPL.
With over 5,000 runs and over 400 wickets in the game, his record speaks for himself and it will be great to see him do the champion dance with Dhoni and Raina, in CSK.
Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals)
England all-rounder Ben Stokes helped RPS get into the finals of the IPL 2017 and was the in-demand player in the IPL 2018 auction. Rajasthan Royals went all out for Stokes and bought him for a whopping INR 12.5 crores.
Ben Stokes proved himself in IPL 2017 by winning the Most Valuable Player award. Stokes has also been given an all season pass to play in the entire IPL 2018 tournament by the ECB. Stokes will also get the chance to prove that he puts cricket before everything else.
