#IPLGOAT: Mishra vs Harbhajan vs Chawla
The #IPLGOAT is a knockout competition to determine the greatest IPL player of all time. We have done our homework and have come up with a list of 24 players. It will be a knock-out competition. Each day, you will see head to head matchups, with the winner progressing to the next round. The round of 24 will be followed by the Quarter-Finals, then the Semi-Finals, and ultimately the Grand Finale to determine the Greatest IPL player of all time. So what are you waiting for? Cast your vote and make it count.
Beware though, do not get carried away by merely the exploits of the current IPL; remember that you are selecting the Greatest IPL player of All Time! Choose wisely.
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1. Amit Mishra
The Stats:
Matches:Â 109, Wickets: 124, Bowling Average: 23.01, Economy Rate: 7.28
Claim to Greatness:
Amit Mishra is not the first name that comes to mind when you are thinking about an IPL all-time great; in fact, you would hardly even consider him. And yet, Amit Mishra is a bona-fide IPL giant. The numbers are a testament to this fact. Amit Mishra is second on the highest wicket-taker list, only Malinga, another legend, has more wickets. More ever, he is the only major Indian spinner to average more than a wicket per match; an indication of his wicket taking prowess. Not only has he taken more wickets, but he also has a superior average than Harbhajan Singh, Ashwin and Jadeja, his more fancied compatriots. And for a leg-spinner, he possesses tremendous control over his craft and his economy rate is outstanding at a tad above 7. Armed with the elusive combination of variety and control, Mishra has cast spells on the batsmen on numerous occasions. He is also the only player to have taken 3 hat-tricks—no other player has taken more than one!
2. Harbhajan Singh
The Stats:
Matches:Â 124, Wickets: 118, Bowling Average: 26.12, Economy Rate: 6.98
Claim to Greatness:
Harbhajan Singh has become the fourth on the highest wicket-taker list in IPL since Mumbai Indians picked him up in the inaugural auction in 2008. So critical have been his contributions to his team, that Mumbai Indians have ensured that they retain him at all costs. He has even captained Mumbai Indians in 20 matches. He has often been called upon to bowl at the most difficult times, including the power-play, and yet, he has maintained a sensational economy rate of less than 7. The feisty off-spinner has always been extremely competitive and has played a tremendous role in instilling much needed aggression into the team, though admittedly, he has crossed the line at times. Harbhajan Singh has also contributed at crucial times with his lusty hitting down the order. He once scored 64 off 24 balls against Kings XI, in a joyful display of clean hitting, sending the ball sailing over the ropes no less than 6 times.
3. Piyush Chawla
The Stats:
Matches: 123, Wickets: 120, Bowling Average: 25.68, Economy Rate: 7.56
Claim to Greatness:
Piyush Chawla first shot to fame when he dismissed the great Tendulkar with a Googly in a challenger series match. He was all of 17 then! That early promise, however, hasn’t translated into success with the Indian National Team. In the IPL, however, he has more than delivered on that promise. Excluding Amit Mishra, he has more wickets than any other spinner. His googly has bamboozled many a great batsman and over the years, his stock delivery has improved immensely. Legs-spinners are a prized asset in the IPL and Piyush Chawla has played more matches than any other spinner in this tournament. He has also contributed with the bat by playing some crucial innings coming lower down the order.