IPL 2021: Ranking all-rounders of all 8 teams

#4 Chennai Super Kings

Sam Curran (front) (Image credits - CSK)

Three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings have a good bunch of all-rounders. MS Dhoni's side retained the crux of the team, including the all-rounders. Shane Watson's services will be missed by CSK this season after the Aussie announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in November 2020.

Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran are the most high-profile all-rounders in the team, followed by Krishnappa Gowtham, for whom CSK broke the bank at the 2021 IPL auction by shelling out INR 9.25 crores.

Jadeja has played 184 IPL matches and is one of the most experienced campaigners. Curran recently played the best knock of his international career by scoring 95* off 83 against India in the third ODI and bringing England extremely close to a dramatic victory. He will be refreshed and raring to go for CSK now.

Jas-Mine Bravo😍#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛@PhonePe_ pic.twitter.com/cJQ6Qesfzi

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 4, 2021

There is set to be a problem of plenty in the Chennai camp as CSK also have names such as Dwayne Bravo, Moeen Ali, and Mitchell Santner in their ranks. All three are experienced all-rounders and will be vying to make the cut for the playing 11.

Meanwhile, Bhagath Varma will be the backup all-rounder in the camp. Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni will have a lot of thinking to do in this department as they have plenty of good options.

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#3 Mumbai Indians

Krunal Pandya during a recent photoshoot (Image Credits - MI)

There is loads of firepower in the all-rounders' department of five-time champions - Mumbai Indians. Leading the pack are the two Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, along with T20 veteran Kieron Pollard.

Hardik performed exceptionally well in India's recent bilateral series against England. The 27-year-old bowled well and smoked 39 off 17 in the last T20I. His performance was even better in the ODIs and he smashed 64 off 44 in the third and decisive ODI. His explosivity and controlled bowling make him one of the top picks on the MI side. He will be looking to help MI to their record-extending sixth IPL title.

Accompanying Hardik as usual will be the Sr. Pandya, Krunal. Krunal also had a memorable series against England as he smashed the fastest fifty by a debutant in ODIs. His boisterous 58* off 31 in the first ODI of the series will still be fresh in the minds of all MI fans. The all-rounder will be entering IPL 2021 with oodles of confidence and that will certainly bode well for the Mahela Jayawardene-coached unit.

Kieron Pollard needs no introduction. In IPL 2020, the West Indian smashed 268 runs in 16 matches at an average of 53.60 and a belligerent strike rate of 191.42. However, the big Trinidadian could only make 4 scalps with the ball and will be looking to contribute more in the bowling department. Despite being 33, Pollard is still one of the safest fielders in the IPL.

MI did a fine job at the IPL 2021 auction by picking up all-rounder James Neesham for his base price of INR 50 lakhs. The Kiwi player provides a potent backup overseas option for Pollard. South Africa's Marco Jansen is another overseas backup.

Among the Indian backup options are Anukul Roy and Arjun Tendulkar. Furthermore, Nathan Coulter-Nile could also be considered a bowling all-rounder and get some runs down the order. Overall, MI boast one of the strongest contingents this season as well.