IPL 2020 Stats Wizard: Player Performance Report Card

Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, the stand-out players of the tournament as we look at the player performance report card for IPL 2020. 

The IPL 2020 may have completed a successful campaign amidst all the challenges it witnessed, but the key moments, players’ performances, team performances are all still afresh in my mind as I recollect all of these to construct this wonderful article focused on performances.

My team and I must have written scores and scores of articles on IPL 2020, but the ‘Player Performance Report Card’ holds a special place in my heart. It is in this article, we rate the player in two major categories- batsmen and bowlers, and analyse their performance from all angles.

The player report card for IPL 2020 is an important aspect for the tournament as it reflects how important the player has been for his franchise, and how a few teams might mould their strategies to either retain them or release them in the following annual Auction.

Before we move on the actual meat of the article, let’s look at our Unique and visionary methodology to define the player ratings.    

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Stats Wizard Methodology:

Batting: As always, we have analyzed the batting performances basis the batting rating calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as runs scored, strike rate bonus, consistency, number of fours & Sixes, and the number of match-winning & good knocks. 

Bowling: We have analyzed the bowling performances basis the bowling rating calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as wickets taken, economy rate bonus, consistency, dot balls, maidens, and the number of match-winning and good spells. 

Right then, let’s look at how the top 10 players, who have played at least 10 matches have performed in our player performance report card for IPL 2020. 

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Batsmen: 

#5: Suryakumar Yadav (MI)

Inns: 15 || Runs: 480 || Avg: 40 || SR: 145 || Rating: 7.1

At number 5 we have a player who has only improved year-on-year since moving to his hometown franchise, Mumbai Indians. In yet another stunning season, Suryakumar Yadav maturity stands out. Unlike last time, SKY didn’t throw his wickets after quick starts, but rather gave a finishing touch on numerous occasions.

SKY has been the best number 3 batsman in the Tournament with a total of 480 runs at a brilliant average of 40 and an awesome strike rate of 145. His consistency of 71.43% is also second-best among players with 300 runs or more. It is a pity that even after being one of the best uncapped players in IPL 2020 for the third successive year, Suryakumar still doesn’t have a place in the Indian team. Nevertheless, with a rating of 7.1, Suryakumar Yadav is third on the list of top batsmen for IPL 2020. 

#4: Mayank Agarwal (KXIP)

Inns: 11 || Runs: 424 || Avg: 38.5 || SR: 156.5 || Rating: 7.2

After 7-8 years of unsuccessful attempts to make a name for himself, Mayank Agarwal has finally come-of-age to give a solid performance in IPL. He batted with aggression, and his style of play assisted KL Rahul perfectly in KXIP. If not for his 3 missed matches, Mayank Agarwal would have certainly been among top 4 run-scorers in the Tournament. 

Nevertheless, Mayank managed a total of 424 runs from 11 innings at a solid average of 38.5, and a fantastic strike rate of 156.5. His consistency stands at 45.45%, and that’s because of 3 scores in the 20s. He rarely had a low score, and got a good start in most of them. So, with a batting rating of 7.2, Mayank Agarwal is fourth on the list.

#3: AB de Villiers (RCB)

Inns: 14 || Runs: 454 || Avg: 45.4 || SR: 158.7 || Rating: 7.2

The Most Valuable Player for the RCB for yet another year as Ab de Villiers once again became the arch bearer of RCB’s struggling batting department. He played 5 stunning knocks- all of which came at brilliant strike rate, and overall ABD managed 454 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 158.7.

The knock of 55(22) against Rajasthan Royals on a slow and low pitch, and where all other batsmen were struggling was simply outstanding. Abd’s consistency of 69.2% is also third-best among players with 300 runs or more, and overall Abd has achieved a batting rating of 7.3 for his performance. 

#2: Ishan Kishan (MI)

Inns: 13 || Runs: 516 || Avg: 57.3 || SR: 145.8 || Rating: 7.6

What a season of recognition for the pocket-rocket wicket-keeper from Jharkhand. In a star-studded line-up of Mumbai Indians, if you are able to overshadow all of them to become MI’s best batsman of the season, then you have without a doubt achieved a sensational feat.

Kishan simply created a niche for himself by stitching the top-order and lower-order perfectly for MI. It is no ordinary achievement to score over 500 runs, and that too at a fantastic strike rate of 145.8, and consistency of 53.85%. Courtesy of his brilliant batting, Kishan is second on the list, and third overall with a rating of 7.6. 

#1: KL Rahul (KXIP)

Inns: 14 || Runs: 670 || Avg: 55.8 || SR: 129.3 || Rating: 8.2

The Orange Cap holder of the season, KL Rahul continued his golden run in the limited-overs cricket for a third consecutive year. With 670 runs in IPL 2020, KL Rahul became the first Indian to have scored over 500 runs in a third consecutive season in IPL. 

The most impressive thing about KL Rahul has been his approach and temperament. He seldom threw it away after getting a good start, and most of the times made sure he got a big one. He rarely played rash shots, and mostly got out due to good bowling efforts. 

The only thing which went against KL Rahul was his strike rate of 129.3, which is way below his standards. That’s what differentiates the KL Rahul of 2018, which has been the best version of KL Rahul as yet. Nevertheless, with a rating of 8.2, KL Rahul is first on the list of the batsman for IPL 2020. 

Apart from these 5, the other top batsmen with their rating include,

1. Wriddhiman Saha (SRH) – 10 (4 Matches)
2. Chris Gayle (KXIP) – 7.4 (7 Matches)
3. Shikhar Dhawan (DC) – 6.8
4. Kieron Pollard (MI) – 6.6
5. Ben Stokes (RR) – 6.6
6. Nicholas Pooran (KXIP) – 6.5
7. Faf du Plessis (CSK) – 6.4
8. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) – 6.2
9. David Warner (SRH) – 6.2
10. Ambati Rayudu (CSK) – 6.2

Bowlers: 

#5: Trent Boult (MI)

Inns: 15 || Wkts: 25 || Avg: 18.3 || ER: 7.9 || Rating: 7.1

The swing king of the season, Trent Boult was the go-to man for Rohit Sharma in the powerplays. The moment pitch assisted swing, Trent Boult was simply unplayable. His ‘player of the match’ spell in the final was just about that as he accounted for dangerous Stoinis and Rahane in just under 2 overs. 

Overall, Boult was wonderful with 25 wickets from 15 innings at a brilliant average of 18.3. The only issue with Boult was his outside powerplay bowling, which lacked the teeth to be recognised as the bowler of the season. Even then, Boult is fifth on the list with a bowling rating of 7.1.

#4: Kagiso Rabada (DC)

Inns: 17 || Wkts: 30 || Avg: 18.3 || ER: 8.3 || Rating: 7.2

While Boult was excellent in the powerplay, and poor after that, the purple cap holder of the season, Kagiso Rabada was exactly the opposite. Rabada can be called the ‘bowler of the death overs’ as he accounted for most of his wickets at the death. His impact with the old ball has been simply unmatchable, and that also reflects in his wickets column.

Overall, Rabada managed a total of 30 wickets; second-best of all time, and he achieved this feat in just 17 matches. Rabada’s wasn’t the most consistent bowler with a consistency of 64%, but whenever he took wickets, he took in bulk. So, overall, Rabada is fourth on the list with a bowling rating of 7.2.

#3: Jofra Archer (RR)

Inns: 14 || Wkts: 20 || Avg: 18.3 || ER: 6.6 || Rating: 7.2

Probably the most lethal bowler of the season, Archer’s extreme pace, ability to hit proper length, and control on the swing has been the best among all bowlers in IPL 2020. Archer was a complete bowler, and batsmen rarely took risks against him, even in the death Overs. Archer played only 14 matches, but bowled a total of 175 dot balls in the season- that’s roughly 2 overs of dot balls per match. He was RR’s Most Valuable Player for IPL 2020, and that can also be seen from his bowling rating of 7.2.

#2: Rashid Khan (SRH)

Inns: 16 || Wkts: 20 || Avg: 17.2 || ER: 5.4 || Rating: 7.3

Can we ever keep the Afghan Wizard away from the list of best bowlers in a particular season of IPL or even overall IPL? How can 2020 be any different? IPL 2020 witnessed the best version of Rashid Khan as not only did he take wickets, but was very economical throughout the season. 

Rashid managed a total of 20 wickets from 16 outings at a fabulous economy rate of 5.4; best among all bowlers. His consistency of 81.3% is the best among all bowlers. So, with a bowling rating of 7.3, Rashid Khan is second on the list of best bowlers for IPL 2020.

#1: Jasprit Bumrah (MI)

Inns: 15 || Wkts: 27 || Avg: 14.9 || ER: 6.7 || Rating: 8.3

The best player of the season, and also Jasprit Bumrah’s best season thus far in the IPL. Bumrah was a mixture of Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada. He was as lethal as Boult in the powerplays, and as fiery as Rabada in the death overs. He made a whole lot of difference in MI’s bowling, which lacked the bowling services of Hardik Pandya.

With 27 wickets in the season, Bumrah also surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar to be Team India’s leading wicket-taker in a single edition of IPL; the record which he rightly deserves. Bumrah took sometime to get his rhythm back, and that’s the reason his overall record was hampered. Nevertheless, Bumrah is the best player of the season with a rating of 8.3.  

Apart form these 5, the other top 10 bowlers include, 

1. Jason Holder (SRH) – 7.8 (7 Matches)
2. Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB) – 6.5
3. Chris Morris (RCB) – 6.3
4. Mohammed Siraj (RCB) – 6.1
5. Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) – 6
6. Anrich Nortje (DC) – 6
7. Mohammed Shami (KXIP) – 5.9
8. Lungi Ngidi (CSK) – 5.7 (4 Matches)
9. Murugan Ashwin (KXIP) – 5.4
10. Sandeep Sharma (SRH) – 5.4

Thanks for reading! After seeing the report card, who do you think performed the best in IPL 2020? Please, let us know in the comment section. 

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