IPL 2021: Predicting team-wise MVP in the tournament

IPL 2021 is just around the corner and teams are busy doing their final preparations as they look to find their best possible combination. All their plans will be formulated around their best players or those players who are considered as the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Most Valuable Player is an award that is presented to the player who picks up the most points based on the point system in place. It takes into consideration all three aspects of the game and is pretty much like a Player of the Tournament Award.

It was Jofra Archer who won it last season due to his terrific exploits with the ball while also scoring some runs with the bat. There will be several contenders for the award this season as well, given the quality of the league. On that note, here’s predicting-

Team-wise MVP in the tournament in IPL 2021

1. Chennai Super Kings- Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja will be making his comeback after three months due to an injury. He was in terrific form before the injury and contributed heavily in the two Tests he played against Australia.

His batting has been quite stunning in recent times, and he would even be able to perform as a pure batsman. In IPL 202o, hescored 232 runs in 14 games at an average of 46.4 while scoring at more than 170. Jadeja also scored his maiden IPL half-century in 2020. However, his bowling wasn’t as good as he picked up just 6 wickets.

However, conditions in India will suit him, and one can expect his bowling performances to improve. The all-rounder is arguably the world’s best fielder as well and because of his excellence in all three aspects of the game, he will be their most important player and could potentially be their MVP as well.

2. Delhi Capitals- Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada has been one of the most valuable players in the league over the last couple of seasons and has also been DC’s best player. He bowls during the crucial stages of a game and is often their go-to man when they need a wicket.

The South African pacer won the Purple Cap last season as he managed to pick up 30 wickets in 17 games at a strike rate of 13.18 while conceding at 8.23. He even picked up two 4-wicket hauls and formed a lethal partnership along with Anrich Nortje.

He also picked up 25 wickets in the 2019 season and has been the highest wicket-taker across the last two campaigns. Given that he bowls during the powerplay and death overs, he obviously has a good chance of being among the wickets and one can expect him to continue his wicket-taking form this year as well.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders- Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins had a poor outing in the last campaign, but that was certainly not a reflection of the bowler he is. He was predominantly used in the powerplay, which wasn’t something many expected as many thought he would be utilized a lot during the death as well.

Batsmen weren’t willing to take too many risks against him and this is evident by his economy rate of 7.86. In 14 games, he picked up 12 wickets at a strike rate of 26 and his best performance of 4/34 came in their last game.

He was also handy with the bat as he scored 146 runs at a strike rate of 128.07 and even got himself a half-century. His bowling form will surely improve this season and with his more than useful batting ability, there is every chance he could be KKR’s MVP as all-rounders tend to contribute more than the usual players in general.

4. Mumbai Indians- Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is arguably the world’s best pacer at present and the kind of impact he has for both franchise and country isn’t something many can boast of. His teams often depend on him for crucial breakthroughs at various stages of the game.

His ability to bowl accurate yorkers with ease is a rare ability and he has made the most of it given that he is considered as the best exponent of that delivery. Like the spearhead of any attack, he bowls during the difficult overs and has been a massive success.

The Indian pacer was the 2^nd highest wicket-taker last season as he picked up 27 wickets in 15 games. His economy rate of 6.93 was stunning and even his strike rate of 13.33 was very good. He is MI’s most important player by some distance and they will be relying on him in their hunt for a hattrick of IPL titles.

5. Punjab Kings- KL Rahul

KL Rahul’s form during the T20I series against England would have been a bit of a concern for the Punjab Kings’ management, but his 62* and 108 in the ODI would have eased their nerves. When in form, he is, without doubt, one of the best T20 batsmen in the world, and thus, it shouldn’t be a surprise that he is on this list.

He was in stellar run-scoring form last season when he got 678 runs in just 14 games at an average of nearly 56. However, his strike rate was an issue in a few games, and he will have to be a bit more aggressive than usual for his team’s benefit.

Rahul has been one of the most consistent performers in recent years, having scored more than 590 runs in each of the last three campaigns. As their wicket-keeper, he will also have a lot to do behind the stumps, and he will have to be at his best if they wish to their title drought.

6. Rajasthan Royals- Jos Buttler

In an ideal scenario, Jofra Archer might have been here but given the lack of clarity regarding his participation, Jos Buttler makes it instead. He has been their best performer along with Archer over the last couple of seasons, and he has carried their batting lineup.

Although he was pushed down the order during the last few games in 2020, it is expected that he will be back at the top. His aggressive approach during the initial overs is very important for them, and it often defines how they play in the game.

Last season, he scored 328 runs in 13 games at an average of 32.8 while striking at 144.49. A potential opening combination along with Ben Stokes looks dangerous on paper and both the Englishmen will be key to RR’s fortunes.

7. Royal Challengers Bangalore- Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli didn’t have a particularly great campaign last year as he struggled for fluency and rhythm, which was evident by his low strike rate as well. His form during the Test series against England was also quite mediocre, but during the T20I series, we saw the Virat Kohli who terrorized bowling attacks.

In that series, he scored 231 runs in 5 games at an average of 115.5 while striking at more than 147. His increase in strike rate was a massive boost given that his strike rate in IPL 2020 was just 121.35.

In 15 games last year, he scored 466 runs including three half-centuries. He is considered as the world’s best cricketer and his presence here is self-explanatory. Even the likes of AB de Villiers and Yuzvendra Chahal have a case to be included here, but the Indian captain just edges it given that his value while opening the batting will only increase.

 8. Sunrisers Hyderabad- Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is probably the best bowler in the shortest format of the game, and he has had a massive impact in pretty much every league he has participated in. Since his IPL debut in 2017, he has been a very consistent performer and has helped SRH qualify for 4 consecutive playoffs.

He was in brilliant form last season when he picked up 20 wickets in 16 games at a strike rate of 19.20. His economy rate of 5.37 was outstanding and to concede runs at such a low economy throughout the season is a great achievement.

Rashid is pretty useful even with the bat in hand and can score some quick runs at the end of an innings. His ability to choke the flow of runs while also picking up wickets during the middle overs is a vital asset for the Sunrisers. A very strong case could have been made for David Warner as well, but Rashid edges it because of the fact that they will be playing a lot of their matches in Chennai and Delhi, where the pitches help spinners.