5 best all-rounders in the Indian domestic scene right now

According to Dhoni, Stuart Binny and Axar Patel along with Ravindra Jadeja are India’s best all-rounders“Our best seaming allrounder is Stuart Binny, and our two best spinning allrounders are Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Whether you like it or don't like it, these are the best we have, so we have to make the most out of them.”This is what Indian skipper MS Dhoni had to say about the state of allrounders in the country at the post-match press conference after the 5th ODI in Mumbai. However, if you dig a little deeper into India’s current domestic circuit, you will find out that the skipper’s words may not entirely be correct.There is not one but several all-rounders in our domestic structure who are currently playing the Ranji Trophy and performing well for their respective teams. Here we take a look at 5 of the best.

#1 Rishi Dhawan

Rishi Dhawan has performed exceptionally in the domestic circuit for Himachal Pradesh

One of the best all-rounders in India at the moment, Rishi Dhawan has proved to be a more than useful player for Himachal Pradesh in the recent past. Over 2000 runs at an average of 42.02 are stats that will make even a proper batsman proud. Add to it 208 wickets at an average of 25.12 with his medium pace and you have a complete allrounder, one that Team India are so desperately seeking.

Dhawan has also performed quite decently in the Indian Premier League as well both with the bat and ball. He is just 25 and still has a long way to go. However, we will be hoping, for his sake, that the national selectors change their approach when it comes to picking allrounders.

#2 Parvez Rasool

Parvez Rasool has been a more than handy player for J&K

The man from the mountains is easily the biggest cricketing star to have ever played for Jammu & Kashmir. Initially, he was known more for his off-spin bowling. However, as time has passed by, he has certainly become one of the leading all-rounders in the country’s domestic scene.

He has scored close to 2,500 runs at a more than decent average of 39.46 and has as many as 8 first-class centuries under his belt. With the ball, he has claimed 107 wickets at a very acceptable average of 35.76 and there have been 6 occasions where he has taken more than 5 wickets in an innings. If these stats cannot bring him into national contention, nothing can.

#3 Jalaj Saxena

Jalaj Saxena has been performing consistently for Madhya Pradesh

Since his first-class debut in December 2005, Jalaj Saxena has been one of the most consistent allrounders in India’s domestic cricket. In 76 matches so far, he has notched up 4,280 runs at an average of 38.90 with 11 centuries to show for his efforts.

As an off-break bowler, he has taken 152 wickets while averaging 34.85 and has 7 five-wicket hauls against his name. It is really strange to understand why he has not yet been considered even once for national selection.

#4 Shreyas Gopal

The Karnataka all-rounder has already created some ripples in domestic cricket

Popularly known as ‘Junior Kumble’, young Shreyas Gopal is one of the better all-rounders in the present domestic scene. Although his bowling is certainly his forte, he is a more than decent batsman who forms part of Karnataka’s middle order.

He averages above 35 with the bat and 28.11 with the ball and has a tally of 1065 runs and 78 wickets. Given an opportunity, he may be able to put an end to Team India’s genuine all-rounder woes for some time at least.

#5 Hardik Pandya

Pandya has impressed one and all with his 2015 IPL heroics

The 2015 edition of the IPL had everyone buzzing about the Baroda all-rounder as he smashed a match-winning 61 off a mere 31 balls for Mumbai Indians in a crucial game against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

In the ongoing season of the Ranji Trophy too, Hardik Pandya has already come up with some impressive all-round performances to help Baroda gain an upper hand in their matches. Although you may at best consider him to be a wild card for the all-rounder’s spot in the national side, he certainly looks to have the calibre to perform at the big stage.