#IPLGOAT: De Villiers vs Raina vs Gambhir

05/19/2016

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.

Warner vs Kohli vs Duminy - Click on the link to vote.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. AB De Villiers

The Stats:

Matches: 115, Runs: 3108, Batting Average: 38.85, Strike Rate: 148.92

Claim to Greatness:

When AB De Villiers gets going, the bowlers are reduced to a mere side-show. He drives, he scoops, he pulls and he paddles; with a bat in hand, there is not a thing that he cannot do. To watch perfect deliveries sailing over the boundary, ball after ball, demoralizes the best of the bowlers. In one memorable innings, AB De Villiers scored 24 off a Dale Steyn over; the champion bowler could do little but applaud in awe and dis-belief. AB De Villiers averages just a tad under 40 and scores his runs at a strike rate of nearly 150. He has 3 centuries to his name and also contributes crucially in the field with 61 catches in just 83 matches.

2. Suresh Raina

The Stats:

Matches: 143, Runs: 3985, Batting Average: 33.48, Strike Rate: 138.75

Claim to Greatness:

If a poster of IPL had to be made and only one player could feature on it, it would probably be Suresh Raina. In nine years, he has missed one IPL match, that too because of the birth of his first child. Raina has played more IPL matches than any other player, scored more runs than any other player, barring Virat Kohli, and has taken more catches than any other player. And what’s more, all these runs come at an impressive strike rate of 139. Raina has been one of the faces of Chennai Super Kings, the most successful IPL team. Raina is the very epitome of a team-man and embodies the spirit of CSK in its totality. He is also ridiculously friendly, so much so that, the fans love him, his team-mates love him, and dare I say it, the opponents love him too. Raina also contributes with his crafty bowling and exceptional fielding.

3. Gautam Gambhir

The Stats:

Matches: 128, Runs: 3531, Batting Average: 30.7, Strike Rate: 124.24

Claim to Greatness:

Gautam Gambhir is 4th on the highest run getter list of the IPL. Without ever being flashy, Gambhir has been extremely effective and is instrumental in Kolkata Knight Rider’s success. He played for Delhi Daredevils in the 1st three seasons and had immediate success, becoming the second highest run scorer in the inaugural season. His real impact though has been as a captain. Understated and crafty, he manages to get the best out of his team, while at the same managing to get under the skin of his opponents. He is the only player, apart from MS Dhoni, to have captained in more than 100 IPL matches. He has led Kolkata Knight Rider to two titles, first in 2012 and again later in 2014.