The Indian Premier League (IPL) has transformed cricket from a game of specialists into a playground for the versatile. Over eighteen seasons, we have seen matches turned on their head not by a single century or a five wicket haul, but by the relentless impact of players who do it all. Finding the best all rounder of IPL history requires looking beyond basic scorecards. It involves analyzing strike rates under pressure, economy rates in the death overs, and the ability to win games from impossible situations.
In this comprehensive guide, we rank the top 10 all rounders who have defined the league’s history. From the power hitters of the Caribbean to the tactical spinners of India, these athletes represent the gold standard of T20 cricket.
Who Is The Best All Rounder in IPL?
While “best” is often debated, Ravindra Jadeja is the most definitive answer for the best all rounder in IPL history.
He is the only player to successfully cross the “Triple Crown” milestone: 3,200 runs, 170 wickets, and 100+ catches. His ability to influence a game as a finisher, a frontline spinner, and the league’s most dangerous fielder makes him the ultimate utility player.
Top 10 Best All Rounders In IPL (All Time List):
| Player Name | Batting Strike Rate | Bowling Economy | Total Wickets | IPL Titles |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 130.30 | 7.67 | 170 | 5 |
| Sunil Narine | 166.51 | 6.80 | 192 | 3 |
| Andre Russell | 174.18 | 9.51 | 123 | 2 |
| Shane Watson | 137.91 | 7.93 | 92 | 2 |
| Hardik Pandya | 146.93 | 9.18 | 78 | 5 |
| Kieron Pollard | 147.32 | 8.77 | 69 | 5 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 129.57 | 8.39 | 183 | 3 |
| Jacques Kallis | 109.23 | 7.90 | 65 | 1 |
| Yusuf Pathan | 142.97 | 7.33 | 42 | 3 |
| Axar Patel | 133.99 | 7.35 | 128 | 0 |
1. Ravindra Jadeja:
Ravindra Jadeja is the definition of a complete cricketer. Known as “Sir Jadeja,” he has been a pillar for CSK since 2012. His ability to finish games with the bat and bowl four overs of disciplined left arm spin makes him indispensable.
Jadeja is one of the few players to achieve the double of 3,200 runs and 170 wickets. His fielding is also considered the best in the world, often saving 10 to 15 runs per match. His presence on the field creates a sense of safety for his captain and pressure for the opposition. He has evolved from a bowling specialist into a reliable finisher who can clear any boundary at will.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 3,200 |
| Wickets | 170 |
| Strike Rate | 130.30 |
| Economy | 7.67 |
2. Andre Russell:
Andre Russell is the most feared player in the league. When he is in form, no boundary is big enough. He has single handedly won games for KKR from situations where the win probability was less than five percent.
Russell maintains the highest strike rate in IPL history. As a bowler, he is a specialist at taking wickets in the final overs using heavy short balls and wide yorkers. His brute force changes how bowling units plan their death over strategies. He remains the ultimate match winner who can turn the game in just six balls.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 2,651 |
| Wickets | 123 |
| Strike Rate | 174.92 |
| Economy | 9.51 |
3. Shane Watson:
Shane Watson was the first true superstar all rounder of the IPL. He was the Player of the Tournament in the inaugural 2008 season. Watson had the unique ability to open both the batting and the bowling.
He is remembered for his big match temperament, especially his century in the 2018 final for CSK while battling a bleeding knee. His strength allowed him to play through pain and deliver when it mattered most. Watson set the template for overseas all rounders in the league for years to come.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 3,874 |
| Wickets | 92 |
| Strike Rate | 137.91 |
| Centuries | 4 |
4. Sunil Narine:
Sunil Narine started as a mystery spinner but transformed into a lethal opening batter. His 2024 season was a masterclass, where he scored a century and took nearly 20 wickets to lead KKR to the trophy.
Narine is the only player on this list with an economy rate consistently under seven. His “pinch hitting” at the top of the order revolutionized how teams approach the power play. Even as batters learned his variations, his ability to restrict runs remained elite for over a decade.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 1,780 |
| Wickets | 192 |
| Strike Rate | 166.51 |
| Economy | 7.93 |
5. Kieron Pollard:
For over a decade, Kieron Pollard was the finishing engine of the Mumbai Indians. His towering presence at the crease and his deceptive medium pace bowling earned him five IPL titles.
Pollard was a master of the “long handle” and specialized in hitting spinners into the stands. He remains one of the greatest fielders at long on. His leadership on the field and tactical mind helped Mumbai build a dynasty during the 2010s.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 3,412 |
| Wickets | 69 |
| Strike Rate | 147.32 |
| Catches | 103 |
6. Hardik Pandya:
Hardik Pandya provides the rare combination of a high pace bowler and a middle order power hitter. He proved his leadership by winning the title with the Gujarat Titans in their very first year as a captain.
Hardik is the primary pace bowling all rounder for India. His ability to lead from the front and perform under immense scrutiny has defined his modern legacy. He balances the team perfectly by acting as the fourth fast bowler and a top order stabilizer.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 2,749 |
| Wickets | 78 |
| Strike Rate | 145.86 |
| Best Bowling | 3/17 |
7. Dwayne Bravo:
Dwayne Bravo, or “DJ Bravo,” is the ultimate entertainer. While he was a handy lower order batter, his legacy is built on being a two time Purple Cap winner and the most successful death bowler in the history of the competition.
Bravo was the pioneer of the dipping slower ball in T20 cricket. His ability to outsmart the best batters in the world during the final overs made him a CSK legend. He often picked up wickets in clusters when the opposition tried to accelerate.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 1,560 |
| Wickets | 183 |
| Strike Rate | 129.57 |
| Purple Caps | 2 |
8. Jacques Kallis:
Jacques Kallis brought technical excellence to the IPL. Unlike the power hitters, Kallis was a classical batter who could anchor an innings while providing four overs of genuine swing bowling.
He was instrumental in KKR winning their first title in 2012. Kallis remains the benchmark for “cricketing intelligence” among all rounders. His presence ensured that the more aggressive batters could play freely while he held the innings together.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 2,427 |
| Wickets | 65 |
| Average | 28.55 |
| 50s | 17 |
9. Yusuf Pathan:
Yusuf Pathan was a force of nature in the early years. He was the “Impact Player” before the rule existed. His off spin was highly effective during the middle overs to tie down right handed batters.
His match winning century in just 37 balls against the Mumbai Indians still stands as one of the most brutal innings in the tournament’s history. Yusuf was a big game player who usually peaked during the playoffs. His ability to clear the ropes with ease made him a captain’s favorite.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 3,204 |
| Wickets | 42 |
| Strike Rate | 142.97 |
| Fastest 100 | 37 balls |
10. Axar Patel:
Axar Patel has climbed the rankings due to his extreme reliability. In the last three seasons, he has evolved from a defensive bowler to a genuine middle order batter, often promoted to stabilize the innings.
Axar has now become the core of the Delhi Capitals lineup. His recent growth into a leadership role shows his maturity and understanding of the T20 format. He is arguably the most consistent left arm spinner in the league today, providing control and crucial breakthroughs.
| Category | Career Stats |
| Runs | 1,916 |
| Wickets | 128 |
| Strike Rate | 133.99 |
| Economy | 7.27 |
Season Wise Performances Of Best All Rounders In IPL:
In the IPL, dominance often shifts like the wind. Team roles, fitness, and evolving tactical shifts (like the Impact Player rule) mean that a player who ruled one year might be a bench warmer the next. To truly understand the “best,” we must look at the players who defined specific eras of the tournament.
The following table tracks the most influential all rounder from each of the recent seasons, highlighting how the “MVP” profile has changed from raw power to tactical versatility.
| IPL Season | Best All Rounder | Key Reason for Dominance |
| 2018 | Shane Watson | Scored a century in the final; provided crucial opening breakthroughs. |
| 2019 | Andre Russell | Recorded the highest impact season ever with 510 runs and 11 wickets. |
| 2020 | Marcus Stoinis | Pivotal in taking Delhi to their first final with middle order cameos. |
| 2021 | Ravindra Jadeja | Peak efficiency; hit 37 runs in one over and dominated with the ball. |
| 2022 | Hardik Pandya | Led GT to a title; performed with the ball in the final, and anchored the bat. |
| 2023 | Rashid Khan | Finished as a top wicket taker while maintaining a 200+ batting strike rate. |
| 2024 | Sunil Narine | Re emerged as a lethal opener; scored 488 runs and took 17 wickets. |
| 2025 | Axar Patel | Most balanced impact; maintained an economy of 7.27 while captaining DC. |
Conclusion:
The quest for the best all rounder of ipl reveals that versatility is the league’s most valuable currency. While power hitters like Andre Russell grab the headlines, the consistent value provided by players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sunil Narine wins championships. As we move into the 2026 season, the definition of an all rounder continues to evolve, but the legends on this list have set a standard that will likely stand for decades.
FAQs:
Dwayne Bravo holds the record for most wickets among all rounders with 183. However, Sunil Narine has recently overtaken him in the overall standings with 192 wickets.
Yusuf Pathan scored a century in just 37 balls against the Mumbai Indians in 2010. It remains the fastest by an Indian player.
In terms of current form (2024 2025), Axar Patel is widely seen as the most balanced Indian all rounder, especially given his high economy rate control and improved batting average.
Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Ravindra Jadeja have each won 5 IPL titles, proving all rounders are the key to championship success.
No. While the Impact Player rule allows teams to substitute a specialist, a genuine all rounder like Jadeja or Russell provides a “12th man” advantage that remains more valuable than a substitution.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
