IPL 2018: Study shows Ambati Rayudu was a more valuable player than MS Dhoni in IPL 11

Rayudu finished the IPL 2018 as the leading run-scorer for CSK with 602 runs from 16 matches while Dhoni finished as the second highest run-getter.

Ambati Rayudu | IANS

Having been not retained by the Mumbai Indians, Ambati Rayudu was fetched by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 2.20 crores during the IPL auction in January. Playing for the MS Dhoni-led franchise, Rayudu had a wonderful season with the bat and was one of the key figures in scripting the triumph of CSK.

Rayudu aggregated 602 runs from 16 matches at an impressive average of 43 and finished the cash-rich event as the leading run-scorer for Chennai. On the other hand, CSK skipper Dhoni also had a stellar IPL 2018 campaign with 455 runs from 15 innings. He finished the season as the second highest run-getter for CSK despite batting in the middle order. Moreover, Dhoni did a commendable job as a captain in Chennai’s resurgence as a team after two years of hiatus.

However, a study on Player Return of Investment by the Hansa Research Group has recently revealed that Rayudu (2734 points) is way ahead of Dhoni (2450 points) in the list of most valuable players in IPL 2018.

As compared to Rayudu’s 2.20 crores bid, Dhoni was retained by CSK for a whopping amount of 15 crores.  

As per the reports in Hindustan Times, this particular study calculates the impact players had in the tournament by using various parameters like a racy fifty or century, fours and sixes, and catches and wickets, etc. It assigns them points and calculates how expensive a player was for each point.

Rayudu is slotted at 16th position on the list in terms of players providing the best returns while Dhoni is 113 and Kohli only 121 among 136 players who featured in at least one game.

CSK opener Shane Watson, who smashed a dazzling unbeaten century in the final of IPL 2018, finished with 3330 points, and the franchise that brought him for Rs 4 crore, spent Rs 12,012 per point. Chris Gayle, who was fetched in the third round of IPL 2018 auction by KXIP, accumulated 1706 points at only Rs 9,211.20/point as he was bought at his base price of Rs. 2 crores.

The high returns for low investment model put Delhi Daredevils pacer Harshal Patel at the top of the list as he was bought for Rs 2 crore but collected 830 points, with each point coming at an investment of just Rs 860. Rajasthan Royals’ leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, who bowled impressively and took 11 wickets in 11 matches in the cash-rich event, is next best at Rs 1151 per point (Rs 2 cr).

However, Rajasthan speedster Jaydev Unadkat, who was roped in for 11.5 crores during the auction, cost Rs 1.05 lakh per each of his 1088 points, according to the study.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 03 Jun, 2018

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