IPL's best batsmen, bowlers and fielders

A look at the best batsmen, bowlers and fielders in the third edition of the Indian Premier League at the end of the league stage.

Best batsmen:

To determine the best batsman, we consider the total runs scored and add 'bonus' runs if the batsman has scored at a higher-than-par strike rate. For example, Murali Vijay has scored 417 runs so far in 263 balls. Given that average IPL innings scores are around 160 in 120 balls, we would expect Vijay to score 263 not out (160/120) = 350.7 runs in his 263 balls faced. But he scored 417, i.e. 66.3 runs more. We add these runs as a 'bonus'. So Vijay is credited with 417 + 66.3 = 483.3 runs.

Based on this formula, here's the list of IPL's top 30 batsmen. It is no surprise that Sachin Tendulkar tops the list. Jacques Kallis, who has scored just 19 runs less than Tendulkar is fifth because of a poorer strike rate.

It is instructive to look at other variables: Kieron Pollard and Robin Uthappa have the best strike rates, Murali Vijay and Mahela Jayawardene have the two highest scores, and Kallis and Sourav Ganguly have faced the most balls.

Best bowlers:

Our formula to spot the best bowlers is based on a combination of the wickets taken and economy rate. We assume that every wicket is worth 20 runs (because teams score 160 runs and lose 8 wickets on the average in an innings). We also consider the par economy rate to be 8/6, i.e., conceding 8 runs in 6 balls (since the par strike rate was scoring 8/6 i.e., scoring 8 runs in 6 balls).

Anil Kumble has so far taken 12 wickets. So we credit him with 12 x 20 = 240 runs. Kumble has bowled 335 balls and conceded 361 runs. In 335 balls, Kumble was expected to concede 446.7 runs; he therefore conceded 85.7 runs less. We add these runs as a bonus. So Kumble's bowling performance is worth 240 + 85.7 = 325.7 runs.

The table below lists IPL's 30 best bowlers. It is interesting to note that the top five bowlers are all spinners, and the two most successful fast bowlers are also probably the two fastest bowlers. R Ashwin and Anil Kumble have the best economy rates, and Ashwin has matched the bowling performance of his more illustrious team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan.

Note too that India's selected second spinner Piyush Chawla has been outperformed by both Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra.

Best fielders:

Our method to calculate the best fielders can be improved. Currently, it gives 5 'runs' for every catch taken, and divides the 20 'runs' obtained for a run out among all the fielders participating in the run out dismissal. If it is a direct throw, then the fielder picks up all the 20 'runs'. We are not considering dropped catches and misfields.

This method can be improved if an intelligent observer watches ball-by-ball and adds/subtracts runs for runs saved/runs conceded by the fielder. Further, if the observer thinks that a run out was chiefly because of an excellent run, pick up and throw, he can give the fielder 15 or more of the 20 'runs' credited for a run out dismissal.

The table below lists IPL's best fielders. It is no surprise that wicketkeepers dominate -- indeed, that is why we argue that wicket-keepers don't need any extra credit in any player performance appraisal scheme.