#IPLGOAT: R. Sharma vs C. Gayle vs S. Marsh

05/22/2016

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.

Follow us on FB and Twitter to keep track of the GOAT contest! Vote to see your favourite player crowned as the Greatest IPL Player of All Time. #IPLGOAT

1. Rohit Sharma

The Stats:

Matches: 142, Runs: 3874, Batting Average: 33.68, Strike Rate: 131.72

Claim To Greatness:

Rohit Sharma has made 3874 runs in the IPL. These are probably 3874 of the best looking runs in IPL. Rohit Sharma’s batting possesses a heady mix of flair and elegance. There are few more soothing sights in cricket than Rohit Sharma on song. He doesn’t hit a four, he cajoles it; he doesn’t strike a six, he caresses it. Sharma played his first three seasons for Deccan Chargers and he was one of their premier batsman. He has been playing for Mumbai Indians since the 2011 IPL and he has been hugely successful for them, averaging over 30 in each of the 5 seasons. Apart from his batting heroics, Rohit Sharma has excelled as a captain for Mumbai Indians, leading them to two IPL titles and a Champions League trophy. In fact, of all the players, who have captained for more than 20 matches, Rohit Sharma has the highest win percentage. He also contributes with the ball, and even boasts of a hat-trick, ironically, against Mumbai Indians.

2. Chris Gayle

The Stats:

Matches: 87, Runs: 3218, Batting Average: 43.48, Strike Rate: 151.93

Claim To Greatness:

He calls himself ‘Universe Boss’! And you know what, you can’t really accuse himself of exaggeration. At the very least, he most definitely is IPL Boss. He has probably contributed more than any single player to IPL’s popularity. 3218 runs at an average of 43.48 and a strike rate of 151.93. Jaw dropping numbers! Yet, the numbers don’t tell even half the story. When Gayle is at the crease, mayhem is but one ball away. Match-Winning does not begin to describe Chris Gayle. He just doesn’t win the match for his team, he destroys the opposition. He has the highest individual score in an IPL match, an impossible 175 off 66 balls. He has one more entry in the top 5 with a 128 off 62. He has scored 5 centuries in total, the most by any player. The West Indian also has more sixes than anyone else with 235 sixes in 87 matches; second is Rohit Sharma with 161 sixes in 137 matches. He also has the most Man of the Match awards, has won the orange cap twice, has scored most sixes in a tournament 4 times and there are countless other records.

3. Shaun Marsh

The Stats:

Matches: 62, Runs: 2213, Batting Average: 40.98, Strike Rate: 132.35

Claim To Greatness:

Shaun Marsh was a virtual unknown when he first made his debut in the IPL. He had not played a single international match. Also, he did not play the first four matches of the IPL. Yet, he ended up with the Orange Cap, scoring the maximum runs in the inaugural season of IPL. Shuan Marsh has displayed amazing consistency in this tournament; in fact, he is only one of the 3 players to average over 40. He has made such an impact playing for Kings XI Punjab that they have ensured that they retain him at all costs; he has played only for Kings XI Punjab ever since the inaugural season.