IPL 2018: Best All-rounder for each team

In the modern form of cricket i.e. T20, all-rounders are a much-needed commodity. They have the ability to turn the game on its head and win matches single-handedly with both bat and ball.

The cash-rich Indian Premier League has seen some of the greatest all-rounders the world has to offer over the years, let's take a look at key all-rounders for each team in the Vivo IPL 2018.

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#1 Chennai Super Kings

Bravo has been one of CSK's mainstays

Dwayne Bravo

The Super Kings have been lucky to have been blessed by one of the best all-rounders the shortest format of the game has ever seen.

Even though Chennai has a wide range of all-rounders this time in the form of Shane Watson, Karn Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, what stands out about Bravo is his consistency.

Arguably one of the best death bowlers the game has ever seen, Bravo has done his fair share of damage in the IPL by taking 122 wickets in 106 matches at a miserly average of 22.58.

His form with the bat has taken a dip recently but after amassing 1262 runs at a strike rate of 126.33 and an acceptable average of 22.95 in the IPL over the years, the Yellow Army can surely expect him to step up in the time of need.

#2 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Woakes has been in a scintillating form lately

Chris Woakes

The Royal Challengers from Bangalore have perhaps been the unluckiest team in the history of the IPL.

It is not that they have not had good players over the years, they just cannot seem to win. The team management must want to win this time desperately because they went all-out on players this time.

RCB's star-studded line up includes world-class all-rounders like Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Corey Anderson and the young Washington Sundar.

However, Chris Woakes has stood out in recent times. He was already a deadly bowler but now he has matured as an all-rounder.

Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the last season taking 17 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 22.71.

His batting figures were not impressive but from his performances with the bat against Australia, it is apparent that he has honed his skills with the willow.

Along with being an essential part of the seam attack, he can act as a finisher for his franchise.

#3 Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR's chances depend largely on Andre Russel

Andre Russel

Kolkata Knight Riders have way too many loopholes in their squad this time around. If they want a shot at winning the trophy, they need their big guns, especially Andre Russel to step up.

He has made his mark on the franchise and the league with 574 runs in 25 innings at an average of 26.09 but all this is overshadowed by his astonishing strike rate of 173.41.

He is no minnow with the ball either having taken 31 wickets in 34 matches at an average of 28.9. After serving a one-year ban, he made his comeback in the PSL and has been in a good form. Kolkata would surely hope that he is fit for the tournament.

#4 Rajasthan Royals

Stokes will represent Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018

Ben Stokes

Only one season old in the IPL, Ben Stokes has done enough to make his mark in the league.

His heroics brought the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants very close to their maiden title. Unarguably one of the best all-rounders in the world as of right now, Stokes did a phenomenal job in his very first IPL with 316 runs in 11 innings at an average of 31.6 and an astounding strike rate of 142.99.

He was very useful with the ball too fit the Steve Smith led side taking12 wickets in as many matches at an average of 26.33.

He had been out of the England squad for some time but an athlete of his calibre will certainly be a stand-out player in this year's IPL.

#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Shakib Al Hasan was one of the top performers for KKR in the past few seasons

Shakib Al Hasan

Sunrisers Hyderabad is one of the better-looking sides in this year's IPL to compliment a strong batting lineup and a bowling attack that would give a batsman nightmares, they have secured the services of one of the best all-rounders in the world.

If that isn't enough, his IPL numbers leave no room for doubt. Plying his trade for Kolkata Knight Riders in the past seasons, amassing 498 runs in 32 innings at an average of 21.65 and a more than substantial strike rate of 130.37.

He has also put his left-arm spin to good use, taking 42 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 25.6.

#6 Kings XI Punjab

Stoinis will look to showcase his ability with both bat and ball for KXIP

Marcus Stoinis

Punjab seems to have its strongest squad ever this season. Starting from scratch, they made sure all of their bases were covered.

They struck gold when they got back Marcus Stoinis. The Australian batting all-rounder is perhaps one of the most underrated players in the international circuit.

Even though he has only scored 163 runs in eight innings at an average of 23.29 and an acceptable strike rate of 123.48, he is capable of much more than that.

He has also had some less than desirable outing with that ball in the IPL, taking 10 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 30.4. He and his franchise will surely be looking to improve those stats in the upcoming season.

#7 Mumbai Indians

Hardik Pandya brings in the X-factor for MI

Hardik Pandya

It would be unfair to choose someone other than the man who put an end to India's fast-bowling all-rounder woes.

Even though Mumbai has a depth of all-rounders like Ben Cutting, JP Duminy, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya, the younger Pandya possesses the X-factor unique to the IPL breed of cricketers.

Only 24, Hardik Pandya has played some crucial innings for the three-time champions. His numbers of 406 runs in 33 innings at an average of 21.37 and a strike rate of 142.46 will surely improve as he becomes more mature.

His bowling, however, needs more work. In the 10 innings that he has rolled his arm, he has only managed to take 10 wickets at an average of 54.2.

With age on his side, he will definitely improve. Mumbai will hope that the Pandya brothers keep turning games around for them.

#8 Delhi Daredevils

Morris will look to continue to perform well for DD

Chris Morris

Even though Delhi have Glenn Maxwell in their ranks, the Australian will not be able to best Chris Morris when it comes to bowling.

The lanky South African has been part of the Delhi franchise for some time now and has been retained for repaying their faith time and time again.

Even though he specializes in finishing the innings, he has the capability of building the innings as well.

With 439 runs to his name in 29 innings at a handy average of 36.58 and an even better strike rate of 165.66.

He has done his part with the ball whenever called upon by taking 53 wickets in 48 innings at a reasonable average of 23.77. Delhi will expect him to play a big part in their quest for an IPL title.