IPL 2022: Ranking and Rating the Spin Attack of all 10 Teams

Chennai Super Kings, the standout team as we look at the ranking and rating of the spinners of all 10 teams for IPL 2022.  

If one looks at what is happening in the World vs what is happening in the IPL, you would see a strategy that is probably the opposite when it comes to spinners. On one hand, we have the ICC T20I bowlers rankings where the maximum number of players in the top 10 are spinners. But on the other hand, we have IPL, where most of these spinners aren’t preferred by the teams. 

It’s not one or two names we are talking about. Of the current top 10 bowlers in T20I cricket as of April 3, 2022, nine are spinners, and six spinners are not even a part of IPL 2022 including the World number 1 spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi. Why is this strategic outlook so different for spinners when it comes to IPL 2022?

Well, it is surprising to see how teams think about spinners when it comes to IPL 2022, but their strategy isn’t completely wrong. If we see the quality and availability of Indian spinners vs Indian pacers IPL vs Demand per team, there is hardly any gap. Every team needs 1-2 good spinners in their squad, and this is generally fulfilled by Indian spinners.

So, when it comes to overseas players, teams demand dual skills unless you are exceptional like Rashid Khan. Take any overseas spinner who is a part of IPL 2022, you would mostly see them skilled in more than one area. So, be it Hasaranga, Narine or Santner, all are good at batting too.

On that note, how are teams placed when it comes to spinners in IPL 2022? Let’s look at the ranking and rating of all 10 Teams when it comes to their spin attack in IPL 2022. Before that, let’s look at the methodology that would help us arrive at these rankings and ratings.

Methodology:

• Spinners are classified as two first-choice spinners, primary backup spinner, and secondary backup spinner. 
• All spinners are relatively rated on a scale of 10, basis their last three IPL’s performance, and their current International / Domestic form with weightage being given to their IPL performance.
• The two first-choice spinners are given a maximum rating of 10. Whereas the Primary backup opener and secondary backup opener are given a maximum rating of 7.5 and 5 respectively. 

Benchmark Spinner for IPL 2022: Rashid Khan

Alright then, let’s look at the rating and ranking of the best spinners of each Team for IPL 2022. 

#10: Mumbai Indians – 7.05

Two Solid Spinners: Murugan Ashwin & Fabien Allen

Primary Backup Spinner: Mayank Markande 

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Sanjay Yadav

Not a surprise as Mumbai Indians get the number 10 position when it comes to the best spin attack for IPL 2022. When you have uncapped Murugan Ashwin as your best spinner, you are sure that Mumbai Indians haven’t Invested much in spinners this time around. In addition to Ashwin, Mumbai have Fabien Allen as the second-best spinner and Mayank Markande as the secondary backup.

Overall, Mumbai have an inexperienced spin attack led by Murugan Ashwin. Seeing the pitches, the spinners may not be so much useful in the first half of the tournament, but as the pitches deteriorate, Spinners would play an important role. It would be interesting to see how Mumbai Indians cope with this, but for now, they get a cumulative rating of 7.05 for their spin attack for IPL 2022.

#9: Punjab Kings – 7.38

Two Solid Spinners: Rahul Chahar & Harpreet Brar

Primary Backup Spinner: Liam Livingstone

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Ansh Patel

Number 8 on the list are Punjab Kings, who have Rahul Chahar as their leading spinner. While Rahul has been really good in the last three years, he was recently ignored by the international team on account of poor performance. While he is the leading spinner, the other spinners aren’t so good. They have Harpreet Brar as their second-best spinner, who has potential but is uncapped. 

In addition, the backup spinners for PBKS aren’t so good. Liam Livingstone is their primary backup and Ansh Patel is their secondary backup. The team lacks a genuine quality experienced spinner, and hence gets a relatively lesser rating. Overall, Punjab Kings get a rating of 7.38 for their spin attack for IPL 2022.

#8 Delhi Capitals – 7.63

Two Solid Spinners: Axar Patel & Kuldeep Yadav

Primary Backup Spinner: Pravin Dubey

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Lalit Yadav

Not the team you would like to see at number 8, but yes Delhi Capitals don’t have a potent spin as compared to what other strong teams have. At the moment, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are the team’s best spinners. While Axar has been good in his performance for Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t got enough chances in KKR.

In addition, both are not strong contenders for Team India when it comes to T20 Cricket. Apart from Axar and Kuldeep, Delhi Capitals have the inexperienced duo of Pravin Dubey and Lalit Yadav. While Pravin is a proper spinner, Lalit is more of a part-time option. Overall, Delhi Capitals have a decent spin attack, and thus get a rating of 7.63 for IPL 2022.

#7: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 7.81

Two Solid Spinners: Wanindu Hasaranga & Karn Sharma

Primary Backup Spinner: Shahbaz Ahmed

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Glenn Maxwell

Royal Challengers Bangalore have a strong world-class spinner in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga, but apart from him, all their other spinners aren’t so strong. Karn Sharma is their second-best spinner and  Shahbaz Ahmed is their primary backup. Whereas Glenn Maxwell’s part-time bowling is their secondary backup. Overall, apart from Hasaranga, RCB don’t have a strong spinner, and hence their ranking stands at 7. 

#6: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 7.85

Two Solid Spinners: Washington Sundar &  Shreyas Gopal

Primary Backup Spinner: Abhishek Sharma

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Jagadeesha Suchith

Talking about the sixth-ranked team, we have Sunrisers Hyderabad with the duo of Washington Sundar and Shreyas Gopal leading the charge. While Sundar is a good spinner with a potential candidate for the Indian spin contingent, Shreyas Gopal is uncapped and inexperienced. Shreyas has also been given fewer opportunities in the last couple of years by Rajasthan Royals. 

Apart from these two, Sunrisers Hyderabad have another two uncapped players in the form of Abhishek Sharma and Jagadeesha Suchith. Overall, SRH are one of the teams without a quality overseas spinner, and that’s a major cause of worry. Thus, SRH’s overall rating stands at 7.85 when it comes to their best spinners in IPL 2022. 

#5: Lucknow Super Giants – 7.90

Two Solid Spinners: Ravi Bishnoi & Krunal Pandya

Primary Backup Spinner: Shahbaaz Nadeem

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Deepak Hooda & Krishnappa Gowtham

The number 5 ranking belongs to one of the two new teams, Lucknow Super Giants. Led by a prominent potential candidate, Ravi Bishnoi, LSG have a good leader. However, apart from Bishnoi, LSG doesn’t have a good spinner. They have Krunal Pandya, but he isn’t in the league of good spinners. 

In addition to Ravi Bishnoi, Lucknow Super Giants have Shahbaz Nadeem, Deepak Hooda, and Krishnappa Gowtham as backup spinners. Just like SRH, Lucknow Super Giants don’t have an overseas spinner. Thus, their overall rating for best Spin Attack in IPL 2022 stands at 7.90.

#4: Rajasthan Royals – 7.92

Two Solid Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal & Ravichandran Ashwin 

Primary Backup Spinner: KC Kariappa

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Tejas Baroka

The number 4 spot belongs to the Rajasthan Royals, and they rightly deserve it. They probably have the best two front-line spinners among all the teams in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. Both have been in prime form in the last two years, and they also form a brilliant spin duo. 

But apart from Yuzi and Ashwin, Rajasthan Royals don’t have good backups, and hence they lose some points. KC Cariappa is their primary backup and Tejas Baroka is their secondary backup spinner. Both are inexperienced but full of potential. Overall, Rajasthan Royals have a rating of 7.92 for their spinners for IPL 2022. 

#3: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.29

Two Solid Spinners: Varun Chakravarthy & Sunil Narine

Primary Backup Spinner: Mohammed Nabi 

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Anukul Roy

Talking about the top 3 teams, we have the Kolkata Knight Riders at the number 3 position. KKR have Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine as their primary spinners, and it’s a great combination to have. Both have been in great form off late, and that makes them very lethal. In addition, KKR have Mohammad Nabi and Anukul Roy as key backups. Overall, KKR have a potent spin attack, and thus get a cumulative rating of 8.29 for IPL 2022. 

#2: Gujarat Titans – 8.40 

Two Solid Spinners: Rashid Khan & Jayant Yadav

Primary Backup Spinner: Rahul Tewatia

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): Noor Ahmed

The number 2 team when it comes to the best Spin Attack for IPL 2022 goes to the Gujarat Titans. One prime reason for their higher rating is the presence of the world’s best spinner, Rashid Khan as he happens to be the benchmark spinner with a perfect rating of 10. 

In addition to Rashid Khan, Gujarat have Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia and Noor Ahmad. All three are a superb backup option to have, but cannot be called frontline spinners. Thus, Gujarat Titans’ overall rating for spinners stands at 8.4.

#1: Chennai Super Kings – 8.50

Two Solid Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja & Mitchell Santner

Primary Backup Spinner: Moeen Ali 

Secondary Backup Spinner(s): M Theeksana

Taking about the best Spin Attack for IPL 2022, we have the Chennai Super Kings with the combination of 4 top spinners. The team has Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Mitchell Santner, and M Theeksana as their spin attack, and it is a potent finger-spin attack with the ball turning inwards as well as outwards for the batters. 

Overall, CSK may have a potent all-round spin attack, it isn’t perfect on all counts. The team is missing a wrist spinner, and is relying more on finger spinners. This could be an issue if the pitch is batting-friendly. Nevertheless, CSK still have a cumulative rating of 8.5 for their best spinners for IPL 2022. 

So, that completes the ranking a rating of best spinners of all 10 teams for IPL 2022. Rashid Khan is the best spinner among 10 teams, and Yuzvendra Chahal and Varun Chakravarthy follow him in the top 3. When it comes to the best bowling combination, we have Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin as the best Spin Attack, and Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine as the second-best Spin Attack. 

Thanks for reading! Which team has the best spinners for IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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