IPL 2021: Ranking and Rating the Middle-order Batsmen of each Team

Mumbai Indians, the team with the best middle-order batsmen as we look at the rating and ranking of Middle-order of all the teams for IPL 2021. 

It is often said that openers help you win matches, but good middle-order batsmen help you win tournaments. The saying is definitely true as openers lay a good foundation, but it is the middle-order that shape the match result. Without their vision, the batting team won’t be able to reach a competitive score. 

If you look at the history of IPL, the team with good middle-order batsmen has always done well. CSK and Mumbai Indians are a prime example of it. For CSK, it has mostly been about the middle-order trio of Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, and MS Dhoni. Whereas for Mumbai Indians, it has been about SKY, Kishan, Pollard, Pandya, etc. 

So, come to IPL 2021, which team has the best set of middle-order batsmen in their roster? Let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s look at our unique methodology that defined the Ranking and Rating. It is important to note that a team should have 3 good middle-order batsmen, 2 good backups, and at least 2 more decent backup options. 

Methodology:

• Middle-order batsmen are classified as Main batsmen, Good backup batsmen, and other backup batsmen, and all are being rated on a scale of 10. However, for overall rating calculation, the weighted average is taken with higher weightage given to the main players. 
• All middle-order players are relatively rated with respect to benchmark middle-order player basis their last two IPL’s performance, and/or their current International and Domestic form.
• While any player can play an additional role as ”Backup’, main players and good backups should have a unique set of players. 

Benchmark Middle-order Batsman for IPL 2021: AB de Villiers

Alright then, let’s look at the middle-order batsmen ranking and rating of each team for IPL 2021. 

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#8: Rajasthan Royals – 8.16

Three Main Middle-order Players: David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, and Chris Morris

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Sanju Samson, and Jos Buttler

In my original ratings, Ben Stokes was rated in the middle-order category, and Sanju Samson was considered in the openers category. While the reverse was happening currently for RR, the openers and middle-order ratings should be looked at as a whole to have a better picture of the batsmen. 

For Rajasthan Royals, the departure of Ben Stokes has further dented their rating. He was the best available middle-order batsman, and his departure has further dented the rating from 8.24 to 8.16. Nevertheless, the team has the only solid middle-order option, and that is David Miller with a rating of 8.5.

Apart from Miller, the team has mostly inexperienced players. The likes of Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, and Chris Morris are all either inexperienced or decent batsman. Even in terms of rating, Tewatia has a rating of 8.25 and Morris has a rating of 8. Whereas Dube has a rating of 8 and Riyan Parag has a rating of 7.75. 

Overall, Rajasthan Royals get a weighted average rating of 8.16 in the middle-order category.

#7: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8.26

Three Main Middle-order Players: AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, and Daniel Christian

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Washington Sundar and Sachin Baby

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, and Daniel Sams

It was evident right from the beginning that Virat Kohli would play as an opener for RCB, hence while rating him, he was included under the openers category. Apart from him, RCB literally have only two good middle-order batsmen, and that is the dynamic duo of Glenn Maxwell and Ab de Villiers. While Ab de Villiers is the benchmark in this category, Maxwell is full of potential, and that we are seeing in IPL 2021. Maxi carries a rating of 8.75.  

However, barring these two, RCB are very similar to RR with a team full of decent and inexperienced middle-order batsmen. Christian is their next bet, but he has a rating of 8.25. It then comes to Washington Sundar with a rating of 7.75 and Sachin Baby with a rating of 7. The bowling all-rounders, Jamieson, Harshal, and Sams follow them in the decent backups category.

Overall, Royal Challengers Bangalore get a weighted average rating of 8.26 in the middle-order category.

#6: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.29

Three Main Middle-order Players: Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, and Mohammad Nabi

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Jason Holder, Priyam Garg, and Virat Singh

Three matches played so far, and three losses is how SRH have performed so far. If you dig deeper for the reason for this underperformance, and you would realize the fragile middle-order. The team is without their near middle-order batsman, Kane Williamson, and barring Manish Pandey, none of their middle-order batsmen has given even a decent performance. 

SRH would be hoping Kane, their best bet is fit and roaring to go as he carries a rating of 9.25. Manish Pandey hasn’t done bad yet, and he carries a rating of 9. Barring these two, Mohammad Nabi has a rating of 8 and Jason Holder carries a rating of 7.5. Kedar isn’t a bad option as he carries a rating of 7.5. 

Overall, Sunrisers Hyderabad get a weighted average rating of 8.29 in the middle-order category.

#5: Delhi Capitals – 8.48

Three Main Middle-order Players: Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, and Steve Smith

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Sam Billings and Shimron Hetmyer

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Ajinkya Rahane, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, and Tom Curran

Even after the departure of Shreyas Iyer from the Delhi Capitals camp, Delhi Capitals have a good middle-order department. Rishabh Pant is their best bet yet, and he carries a rating of 9.25. Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis are DC’s next best middle-order batsmen and they carry a rating of 8.5 each. 

Shimron Hetmyer and Sam Billings provide for good middle-order backup options. Currently, both are warming the bench, but are potential players. They both carry a rating of 8.25 each. Apart from these, Ajinkya Rahane with a rating of 7.5, Tom Curran with a rating of 7.25, Axar Patel with a rating of 7.5, and Lalit Yadav with a rating of 6.75 are good decent options. 

Overall, Delhi Capitals get a weighted average rating of 8.48 in the middle-order category.

#4: Chennai Super Kings – 8.56

Three Main Middle-order Players: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ambati Rayudu

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, and N Jagadeesan

Just like other categories, Chennai Super Kings don’t have outstanding middle-order options nor they have decent options. The team is filled with good options, and captain MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ambati Rayudu lead this department. MS Dhoni may be struggling for form off-late, but he is still CSK’s main middle-order batsman with a rating of 9.

Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu are CSK’s regular players, and they carry a rating of 8.5 each. Coming to backups, Moeen Ali has been doing really good, and he carries a rating of 8.25. Ravindra Jadeja is another attacking batsman, and he carries a rating of 8.5. Coming to other backups, Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo are other good batsmen down the order, and they carry a rating of 8 and 7.75 respectively. 

Overall, Chennai Super Kings get a weighted average rating of 8.56 in the middle-order category.

#3: Punjab Kings – 8.58

Three Main Middle-order Players: Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, and Dawid Malan

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Moises Henriques and Mandeep Singh

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Deepak Hooda, Fabien Allen, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shahrukh Khan

PBKS may be seeing a lack of form from their key middle-order batsman, Nicholas Pooran, but these are initial days, and Pooran is too good a player to not get back to form. He carries a rating of 9.25. Chris Gayle is a regular number 3 player, and he carries a rating of 9. Malan isn’t currently featuring in the side, but the world number 1 is a good option to stabilize the innings. He carries a rating of 8.75 being his debut season. 

Deepak Hooda, PBKS’s preferred middle-order option currently carries a rating of 7.5. Mandeep Singh and Moises Henriques are Punjab’s good backups options, but unfortunately, both aren’t featuring in the starting 11. Mandeep has a rating of 8, whereas Moises has a rating of 8.25. Sarfaraz Khan and Shahrukh Khan are other decent options, and they carry a rating of 7 each. 

Overall, Punjab Kings get a weighted average rating of 8.58 in the middle-order category.

#2: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.69

Three Main Middle-order Players: Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, and Dinesh Karthik

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Shakib Al Hasan and  Rahul Tripathi 

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): Karun Nair, Ben Cutting, and Gurkeerat Singh. 

There’s no doubt about the potential and firepower the middle-order of KKR bring to the table. The trio of Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, and Andre Russell is one of the best middle-order trios in the tournament, but it is quite unfortunate how these three are being utilized. While the batting-order should be flexible for KKR, they should play Russell above DK, and DK should be utilized only as a Finisher which he is really good at. 

In terms of rating, Russell carries a rating of 9.25, Morgan had a rating of 9, and Dinesh Karthik has a rating of 8.25. Rahul Tripathi and Shakib Al Hasan are the team’s good backups, and luckily both are featuring in the starting 11. While Shakib has a rating of 8.25, Tripathi has a rating of 8. Ben Cutting, Karun Nair, and Gurkeerat Singh are decent backups options, and they carry a rating of 8, 8, and 7. 25 respectively. 

Overall, Kolkata Knight Riders get a weighted average rating of 8.69 in the middle-order category.

#1: Mumbai Indians – 8.71

Three Main Middle-order Players: Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Suryamar Yadav

Two Good Backup Middle-order Players: Ishan Kishan and Krunal Pandya

Other Backup Middle-order Player(s): James Neesham, Saurabh Tiwari, and Jayant Yadav

Only marginally, but yes Mumbai Indians have the best set of middle-order batsmen amoung all the teams. They have 5 really good batsmen in this category, which is led by Hardik Pandya. More of a Finisher, Hardik is their best bet yet to finish matches, and he carries a rating of 9.25. Kieron Pollard and Suryakumar Yadav are the other good batsmen, and they carry a rating of 9 each. 

Ishan Kishan and Krunal Pandya are team’s regular players now, and they carry a rating of 8.5 and 7.75 respectively. The team is also quite flexible, and Rohit Sharma and Chris Lynn can also play in the middle-order. They both carry a rating of 8.25 in Middle-order category. The other decent options include Saurabh Tiwari, Anmolpreet Singh, Jayant Yadav, and James Neesham.

Overall, Mumbai Indians get a weighted average rating of 8.71 in the middle-order category.

So, that’s how the middle-order ranking and ratings stand for IPL 2021. 

Thanks for reading! Looking the ranking and ratings, which middle-order batsman you like the most in IPL 2021? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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ALSO READ: IPL 2021 Special: Ranking and Rating the Pacers of each Team

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