IPL 2021 Exclusive: Best Bang for Buck Playing 11 of the Season

Harshal Patel, the Best value for money player as we look at the Bang for Buck playing 11 of the season for IPL 2021.  

There’s no doubt that even as IPL’s primary objective is to nurture the Indian talent, one can’t deny the fact that IPL is also a money-centric platform. While the focus is usually on the expensive players, there’s one category of players that is low on cost but high on value as seen time and again. 

The IPL 2021 was one event that saw some exceptional performances from the uncapped players. For the first time in IPL’s history, the Orange Cap and Purple Cap; both belonged to uncapped players, and coincidently, both the players have the least price from the available pool of players. 

So, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Harshal Patel impressed exceptionally, which were the other 9 players that shall form the IPL 2021 Bang for Buck playing 11 of the season. Let’s find out in this article. Before that, it is important to understand the terminologies and terms relayed to this article. 

Methodology:

For analysis per se, we have taken 3 important parameters into consideration, namely the IPL 2021 Salary of a player, Bang for Buck (BFB) Points, and Cost per BFB Point. The final Cost per BFB Point of each player is then compared across 5 categories – Openers, Middle-order, All-rounders, Spinners, and Pacers.

The player with the least Cost per BFB Point is rated the highest in the analysis, and the player with the highest Cost per BFBP is rated the worst. Whereas,

• IPL 2021 Salary: The compensation paid by a franchise to a player for a particular season  
• BFB Points: BFB points are calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as runs scored, wickets taken, consistency, acceleration bonus, economy rate bonus, dot balls bonus, number of catches taken, number of stumpings done, number of fours & sixes hit, number of match-winning knocks and spells, and so on. 
• Cost per BFBP: It is a simple ratio of the IPL 2021 salary of a player to his BFB points.  

Alright then, let’s look at the IPL 2021 Bang for Buck playing 11 of the season. 

#1: Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 1409 // Cost per BFBP: INR 1419.5

The first opener on the list is the leading run-scorer of IPL 2021, Ruturaj Gaikwad. The talented CSK opener created history by becoming the only uncapped player to win the Orange cap in IPL. At a cost of INR 20L, the lowest in the competition, Ruturaj raj amassed a total of 1409 BFB points, and has a cost per BFBP of INR 1.4K. Courtesy of his excellent performance, Ruturaj Gaikwad also won the emerging player of IPL 2021.

#2: Devdutt Padikkal (RCB) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 862 // Cost per BFBP: INR 2320.2 

After a stunning IPL debut last year, 2021 was once again a successful year for RCB opener, Devdutt Padikkal. Although his performance was slightly inferior as compared to 2020, it was still excellent given his current cost. At INR 20L, Padikkal scored a total of 862 BFB points, and has a Cost per BFBP of INR 2.3K.

#3: Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 952.2 // Cost per BFBP: INR 2100.4

What a breathe of fresh air Venkatesh Iyer has been for the struggling KKR franchise. With KKR at 7th position at the start of the second leg of IPL 2021, Venkatesh Iyer inserted positive energy to help KKR finish as the runner-up in the competition. From the performance standpoint, Venkatesh Iyer has a total of 952.2 BFB points and his cost per BFBP stands at INR 2.1K.

#4: KS Bharat (RCB)

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 420 // Cost per BFBP: INR 4761.9

The Value for Money wicket-keeper is the batsman who made a name amongst the likes of Kohli, Maxwell, and AB de Villiers. KS Bharat, who is one of the backup wicket-keeper in Team India’s Test squad surprised everyone with his hitting abilities. He played only in the second half, but was mightly impressive with close to 200 runs. He scored a total of 420 points from 8 matches. With a cost of just INR 20L, KS Bharat’s Cost per BFBP stood at just INR 4.7K. 

#5: Rahul Tripathi (KKR) 

Cost: INR 60L // BFB Points: 875.5 // Cost per BFBP: INR 6853.5

The second costliest player of the team, the uncapped Rahul Tripathi was one of the pillars of KKR’s batting. Along with Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi gave amazing returns with the bat. Scoring close to 400 runs, Tripathi has a total of 875.5 BFB points. Even as Tripathi has a cost of INR 60L, his cost per BFBP is 12th on the list at INR 6.8K. 

#6: Harpreet Brar (PBKS) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 486.5 // Cost per BFBP: INR 4111

The first Value for Money proper all-rounder pick is the impressive all-rounder from Punjab Kings, Harpreet Brar. The left-arm spinner came into the limelight after his 3-wicket spell against the mighty batting line-up of RCB. Barring his stunning bowling, Harpreet also made quick runs down the order. Overall, Harpreet accumulated 486.5 BFB points, and with a salary of INR 20L, he has a cost per BFBP of INR 4.1K.

#7: Shahbaz Ahmed (RCB) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 471.5 // Cost per BFBP: INR 4241.7

Another left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, Shahbaz Ahmed is the third RCBian in this playing 11. Known as a team of stalwarts, RCB has seen a lot of uncapped gems perform extremely well for them, and Shahbaz Ahmed is one of them. Apart from his good bowling, Shahbaz is also a good hitter down the order. He has a total of 471.5 BFB points, and with a salary of INR 20L, his cost per BFBP stands at INR 4.2K.

#8: Harshal Patel (RCB) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 1549.8 // Cost per BFBP: INR 1290.5

Similar to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harshal Patel created history by becoming the first uncapped bowler to win the Purple Cap. What’s even more interesting is that he took a total of 32 wickets from just 15 innings, which is the most by any bowler in the history of IPL. Overall, he has a total of 1549.8 BFB points, and with a meager salary of INR 20L, his cost per BFBP stands at just INR 1.3K, the lowest among all players. 

#9: Avesh Khan (DC) 

Cost: INR 70L // BFB Points: 1137 // Cost per BFBP: INR 6156.6. 

The costliest player in this playing 11, but the Most Valuable Player for the Delhi Capitals, Avesh Khan has been an outstanding performer. In the bowling line-up that comprised of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Chris Woakes, Avesh Khan made a convincing name for himself with 24 wickets to his name. He earned a total of 1137 BFB points, and his cost per BFBP stands at INR 6.2K; the lowest for Delhi Capitals. 

#10: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 802.5 // Cost per BFBP: INR 2491.3

The second Punjab Kings player on the list, and it is the second-most Value for Money pacer of the season, Arshdeep Singh. Such had been Arshdeep’s aura this season that he would be the go-to bowler for KL Rahul when it comes to death bowling. Another player with a salary of just INR 20L, Arshdeep Singh managed a total of 802.5 BFB pints, which is excellent. His cost per BFBP stands at just INR 2.5K. 

#11: Prasidh Krishna (KKR) 

Cost: INR 20L // BFB Points: 516 / Cost per BFBP: INR 3876

The final player on the list is KKR’s Prasidh Krishna. Although Prasidh was replaced for the last few matches by Shivam Mavi, he did decent in the 10 matches he played for KKR. He managed to earn a total of 516 BFB points, and his cost per BFBP stands at INR 3.9L, which is not bad either. He is also the second-Most Value for Money pick for KKR. 

The Bang for Buck Playing 11 of the Season for IPL 2021:

Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Rahul Tripathi, Harpreet Brar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh & Prasidh Krishna.

Thanks for reading! What’s your Bang for Buck playing 11 of the season for IPL 2021? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.