IPL 2021 UAE: Ranking and Rating the Spin Attack of all the Teams

Chennai Super Kings, the team with the best set of spinners as we look at the rating and ranking of spinners of each team for IPL 2021 UAE. 

After having shifted the IPL 2021 to UAE, the talk of the town will be Spinners given the nature of UAE pitches. The spinners are also going to be the center of attraction given that the T20 World Cup 2021 is scheduled just after IPL 2021, and will be mostly played on used pitches that will assist spin bowling. 

Almost every team in IPL has a mix of 2-3 lethal spinners that will come in handy as the tournament progresses and reaches the flag end of the tournament. So, how does the spin attack looks like for all the teams for IPL 2021 UAE? Let’s look at the rating and ranking of spinners of all teams for IPL 2021 UAE. 

In general, a team needs two solid spinners, 1 good backup spinner, and at least one decent backup spinner. That’s how the spin attack of any team would look strong if it meets these criteria. 

Methodology:

• Spinners are classified as best spinners, Good backup spinner, and other backup spinners, and all are being rated on a scale of 10. However, for the overall rating calculation, the weighted average is taken with higher weightage given to the best spinners. 
• All Spinners are relatively rated with respect to benchmark spinner basis their last two IPL’s performance, and/or their current International and Domestic form. Importantly, IPL performance has been given more weightage.
• While any player can play an additional role as ‘other backup’, best players and good backups should have a unique set of players. Also, 6 is the least rating for any player in the squad. 

Benchmark Spinner for IPL 2021: Rashid Khan

Alright then, let’s look at the rating and ranking of spinners of each team for IPL 2021. 

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#8: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 7.83

Two Best Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal & Wanindu Hasaranga

Good Backup Spinner: Shahbaz Ahmed

Other Backup Spinner(s): Glenn Maxwell & Pavan Deshpande 

The first leg of IPL 2021 saw RCB siting at the number 4 position when it comes to their spin attack. But the departure of Washington Sundar and Adam Zampa brings them down to the last position. The team has the second-best spinner in the competition, Yuzvendra Chahal. But apart from that, there’s either lack of playing experience or a lack of IPL experience. 

Wanindu Hasaranga, who is among the leading spinners in the World joined RCB in place of Adam Zampa, and that’s great news. Him and Chahal can be a deadly combination to operate. To support, RCB have Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, and Pavan Deshpande. Overall, Chahal is the leading spinner with a rating of 9.25, and W Hasaranga is just behind with a rating of 8.5. 

Overall, Royal Challengers Bangalore get a weighted average rating of 7.83 in the spinners category.

#7: Punjab Kings – 8.07

Two Best Spinners: Adil Rashid & Ravi Bishnoi 

Good Backup Spinner: Murugan Ashwin

Other Backup Spinner(s): Fabien Allen, Jalaj Saxena, Saurabh Singh, Deepak Hooda, Harpreet Brar, Shahrukh Khan & Chris Gayle

Punjab Kings have the maximum number of spinners among all the teams including the part-timers, but there’s a lack of quality and experience in that spin attack. The inclusion of Adil Rashid does make improve their rating, but barring him, PBKS are dependent on the inexperience but potential of Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, and Fabien Allen. 

Given how the team is structured for PBKS, there’s a high possibility, Adil Rashid could be played if the pitch assists Spin. Given Rashid’s debut IPL, he gets a rating of 8.25. Ravi Bishnoi is the team’s second-best spinner, also with a rating of 8.25. He is improving year on year, and that’s a positive sign. Murugan Ashwin and Fabien Allen follow them with a rating of 8 and 7.5 respectively.

Overall, Punjab Kings get a weighted average rating of 8.07 in the spin attack category. 

#6: Rajasthan Royals – 8.08

Two Best Spinners: Tabraiz Shamsi & Shreyas Gopal  

Good Backup Spinner: Rahu Tewaia 

Other Backup Spinner(s): KC Cariappa, Mahipal Lomror, Yashasvi Jaiswal & Riyan Parag.  

Just before the start of IPL 2021, Rajasthan Royals had the worst ranking when it came to spinners. But the inclusion of World number 1 T20 spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi elevates them to number 6 position. Shamsi is the leading spinner for the team with a rating of 8.75. He is followed by Shreyas Gopal with a rating of 8.25.

Talking about backups, Rajasthan Royals have another two leggies in the form of Rahul Tewatia and Mayank Markhande with a rating of 7.75 each. While Tewatia is a confirmed starter in the team owing to his all-round abilities, Mayank can come in handy for any injury concers. The team also has Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mahipal Lomror, and Riyan Parag as part-time spin options.   

Overall, Rajasthan Royals get a weighted average rating of 8.08 in the spinners category.

#5: Delhi Capitals – 8.13

Two Best Spinners: Axar Patel & Ravi Ashwin 

Good Backup Spinner: Amit Mishra 

Other Backup Spinner(s): Pravin Dubey & Lalit Yadav

Not the best spin attack on paper, but Delhi Capitals have the most balanced attack. They have a brilliant left-arm spinner in the form of Axar Patel, a spirited off-spinner in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, and Wiley Leggie in the form of Amit Mishra.

From the rating perspective, Axar Patel is the leader with a rating of 8.5, followed by Ravi Ashwin and Amit Mishra at 8.25 each. Delhi Capitals also have decent backups in the form of Pravin Dubey and Lalit Yadav. Unfortunately, they had to lose M Siddharth due to injury. 

Overall, Delhi Capitals get a weighted average rating of 8.13 in the spinners category.

#4: Mumbai Indians – 8.20

Two Best Spinners: Rahul Chahar & Piyush Chawla 

Good Backup Spinner: Krunal Pandya

Other Backup Spinner(s): Anukul Roy & Jayant Yadav 

The stunning form of Rahul Chahar elevates the ranking of Mumbai Indians in the spinners category from number 7 to number 4. Rahul Chahar is the team’s leading spinner with a rating of 9. He has been in stunning form lately in IPL 2021, and is also the leading spinner for Team India given his preference over Yuzi Chahal. 

He is followed by veteran Piyush Chawla, who has a rating of 8.25. Even though Chawla may not play all the games, there’s a great experience there. Krunal Pandya and Jayant Yadav form for good backups with a rating of 8 each. Whereas Anukal Roy is a decent backup spinner to have. 

Overall, Mumbai Indians get a weighted average rating of 8.2 in the spinners category.

#3: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.44

Two Best Spinners: Varun Chakravarthy & Sunil Narine 

Good Backup Spinner: Shakib Al Hasan

Other Backup Spinner(s): Kuldeep Yadav, Harbhajan Singh & Pawan Negi 

Similar to Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders have Varun Chakravarthy as their leading spinner. Chakravarthy’s mystery and stunning form in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021 has helped him gain the ticket for the T20 World Cup. He leads the KKR spin attack with a rating of 8.75. 

Sunil Narine’s asset as a spinner may have degraded in the last couple of years, but his recent form can be seen as a blessing. He follows Chakravarthy with a rating of 8.5. Shakib Al Hasan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harbhajan Singh are really good backups to have, and they have a rating of 8.25, 8.25, and 8 respectively. 

Overall, Kolkata Knight Riders get a weighted average rating of 8.44 in the spinners category.

#2: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.58

Two Best Spinners: Rashid Khan & Mujeeb Zadran

Good Backup Spinner: Mohammad Nabi 

Other Backup Spinner(s): Shahbaz Nadeem, Abhishek Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, J Suchith & Abdul Samad 

The team with the benchmark spinner of the competition is at number 2 position. Rashid Khan, the world’s best spinner leads the spin attack with a benchmark rating of 10. He is followed by another Afghan spinner, Mujeeb Zadran with a rating of 8.5.

Mohammed Nabi, the third Afghan spinner is a good backup option to have with a rating of 8.25. Whereas left-arm spin of Shahbaz Nadeem, J Suchith, and Abhishek Sharma follow them with a rating of 7.75, 7.5, and 7.25 respectively. SRH also have the part-time spin option of Kedar Jadhav and Abdul Samad. 

Overall, Sunrisers Hyderabad get a weighted average rating of 8.58 in the spinners category.

#1: Chennai Super Kings – 8.63

Two Best Spinners: Imran Tahir & Ravindra Jadeja

Good Backup Spinner: Mitchell Santner

Other Backup Spinner(s): Moeen Ali, K Gowtham, R Sai Kishore & Karn Sharma 

The stunning form of CSK’s spinners from phase 1 elevates their spin attack rating from 8.55 to 8.63 and their ranking from 2 to 1. Imran Tahir may not be CSK’s first-choice spinner due to overseas restrictions, but the Proteas spinner is undoubtedly their best spinner as also seen from his heroics around the world. He leads with the spin attack with a rating of 9. 

Ravindra Jadeja follows Imran Tahir with a rating of 8.75. Jadeja has improved his bowling off late, and is looking more lethal than ever. Mitchell Santner, another overseas spinner follows Jadeja with a rating of 8.5. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, R Sai Kishor, and Karn Sharma form for really decent backup options. 

Overall, Chennai Super Kings get a weighted average rating of 8.63 in the spinners category.

So, that completes the rating and ranking of spinners of each team for the second phase of IPL 2021 in UAE. Given that UAE could assist spinners more, Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy are the spinners to watch out for. 

Thanks for reading! Looking at the rating and ranking of spinners for IPL 2021 UAE, which team do you think has the best set of spinners? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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