Top 5 all-rounders of the IPL

All-rounders play an essential role in every format of the game, and if any side has a genuine all-rounder, they virtually play with 12 players. The term 'all-rounder' has been misused to a great extent in the modern era, and many bits-and-pieces players have received the all-rounder's tag, which they don't deserve. The proper definition of an all-rounder thus stands, "a player who has the potential to get selected in a side both as a specialist batsman as well as a specialist bowler."

The Indian Premier League has been dominated by many top quality all-rounders, and most of them have been overseas ones. They have always played a part in successful franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, and have contributed to some of their major victories.

The top 5 all-rounders in terms of match-winning abilities are listed below.

#5 Shane Watson

The power-packed Aussie all-rounder has been a part of the IPL since its inaugural season. He started his IPL career with the Rajasthan Royals and subsequently played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. This year we will see him play for the Chennai Super Kings under the captaincy of M.S. Dhoni.

Watson is a quality player and can whack a few at the top of the order. He has the ability take full advantage of the field restrictions in the first six overs and can strike the ball to a distance. In his 102 IPL games, he has scored 2622 runs, which also includes a hundred.

The veteran bowls at a decent pace, and can hurry the batsman with his bouncer, but does not bowl at the death because he doesn't have the knack of bowling yorkers. He has 86 scalps in his IPL career so far and has gone at an economy rate of close to 8 an over.