IPL 2016: Top 6 all-rounders of the tournament

If there has been any type of player who has benefitted from T20 cricket, it is the all-rounders. The ‘Jack of all trades’ as they are usually called have done well to showcase their class in IPL 2016. It has also been suggested that victories in T20 cricket are much easier to come by when there is a balance in the squad. The balance is usually provided by the all-rounder in the side. That said, we take a look at some of the best all-rounders in the recently concluded IPL 2016. 1. Chris Morris – DD: Chris Morris. (Photo Source: BCCI) Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusner himself has stated that Chris Morris is the hope for the future of South African cricket. As far as the IPL 2016 goes, Chris Morris was quite easily Delhi Daredevils’ best player. So much was his impact on the team that he is the most valuable player for the Daredevils with 195 runs and 13 wickets to his name. He also has the highest average for batting with 65 and the best economy rate at 7.00. The super flops – IPL 2016: Super flops of the tournament 2. Marcus Stoinis – KXIP: Mohali: Kings XI Punjab celebrates fall of a wicket during an IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on May 7, 2016. (Photo Source: Surjeet Yadav/IANS) Marcus Stonis stands out from the ashes of the hapless Kings XI Punjab. In spite of boasting of talent and quality in players such as Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, and Murali Vijay, Marcus Stoinis has been their best player by a country mile. Similar to Chris Morris, Stoinis has the best batting average among his fellow players. He has amassed 146 runs in the 14 matches played including a half-century to his name. What was even more impressive was the fact that Stoinis also has 13 wickets, making him a giant of a performer in the KXIP ranks. 3. Andre Russell – KKR: Kolkata: Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders celebrates fall of a wicket during an IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS) The West Indies cartoon character, Andre Russell has been a revelation for the Knight Riders. Although it was a shame that they were knocked out in the first playoff, Russell holds the unique distinction of winning the man-of-the-match award on three occasions. In spite of the fact that he was out injured towards the business end of the tournament, Russell was KKR’s leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets to his name. Apart from the 188 runs he has scored, Russell boasted of a mammoth strike-rate of 164, the highest in the KKR batting unit. CricTracker’s team of the tournament – The Best XI of IPL 2016 4. Krunal Pandya Krunal Pandya. (Photo Source: BCCI) Easily one of the standout performers in the IPL 2016, some eyebrows were raised when Krunal Pandya wasn’t picked for the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe tour. The southpaw has been the epitome of some of the best knocks played in the IPL thus far as he also managed to keep his younger and much more famous brother Hardik Pandya out of the starting XI. In 12 matches, Pandya has one of the most impressive batting records. He has 237 runs to his name, an average almost touching the 40-mark, and a massive strike rate of 191. A left-arm spinner by trade, Pandya also has 6 wickets to his name with an impressive economy rate of 7.57. 5. Axar Patel Axar Patel. (Photo Source: BCCI) Axar Patel was one player who announced himself to the world courtesy of his performances in the IPL. Although he seemed to fall off the pace quite a bit in the previous season, he is back once again. This time around, he played the pivotal role many expected him to play, especially in the absence of George Bailey. Known for his cameos towards the end of the innings, Axar Patel has 161 runs to his name in 14 matches. In addition, Axar has done justice to his predominant skill of left-arm orthodox bowling with 13 wickets to his name at an economy rate of slightly over 8. The youngsters who impressed the most – Best young XI of IPL 2016 6. Dwayne Smith: Dwayne Smith. (Photo Source: BCCI) Dwayne Smith is literally a doctor. Each time he is brought into the team, he diagnoses the problem and finds the solution. Whether it is batting or even in some cases bowling, Smith has found the solution. However, more often than not, the remedy provided is the same. He bowls teasing off cutters as well as smashes the ball out of sights into the haven of the pavilion. It was this very attribute that saw Suresh Raina commend his all-around skills. His record reads 324 runs and 8 wickets to his name, an incredible record for a player such as him. Best fielders – IPL 2016: Top 5 fielders of the tournament