#IPLGOAT: K.Pollard vs S.Watson vs Y.Pathan
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. Kieron Pollard
The Stats:
Matches: 105, Runs: 1949, Batting Average: 29.08, Strike Rate: 148.55, Wickets: 56, Bowling Average: 31.07, Economy Rate: 8.78
Claim to Greatness:
Kieron Pollard first shot to fame with a brutal innings of 54 off 18 balls playing for Trinidad and Tobago against New South Wales in the 2009 Champions League. So impressive was his hitting that New South Wales attempted to sign him for themselves immediately after the match. But it was not only New South Wales who were watching; he had caught the attention of all the IPL teams. In the 2010 IPL auction, teams were desperate to secure his services and after some seriously intense bidding, Mumbai Indians, the richest IPL team, acquired him. Ever since, he has become one of Mumbai Indians' key players, and has more than upheld the trust placed in him. With Pollard at the crease, no total is safe, and his mere presence intimidates the opposition. In the 2013 IPL final against the formidable Chennai Super Kings, he played a crucial knock of 60 runs, which was enough for him to win the Player of the Match award. He is also a clever bowler and an outstanding fielder.
2. Shane Watson
The Stats:
Matches: 89, Runs: 2524, Batting Average: 33.65, Strike Rate: 141.95, Wickets: 75, Bowling Average: 26.88, Economy Rate: 7.59
Claim to Greatness:
Shane Watson started off his IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season in 2008. He flourished under Shane Warne’s captaincy and was instrumental in Rajasthan Royals winning the trophy. For his efforts, he was rewarded with not just the Player of the Series award but also a chance to resurrect his Australian career. Since then, he has performed consistently in the IPL, delivering both with the bat and the ball. He is devastating with the bat and effective with ball in hand. Watson is the only player to lead most runs, most wickets, highest score, highest batting average, most sixes, for a team in IPL. He is one of the few players to have two centuries to his name and scores his runs at a rapid rate. In fact, he is also the only player to win the Player of the Series award twice.
3. Yusuf Pathan
The Stats:
Matches: Matches: 130, Runs: 2665, Batting Average: 30.63, Strike Rate: 148.63, Wickets: 40, Bowling Average: 33.12, Economy Rate: 7.39
Claim to Greatness:
Yusuf Pathan, then known only as the brother of Irfan Pathan, shot to fame with his performances for Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL in 2008. He was the player of the match in in the 2008 IPL finals. In an IPL match against Mumbai Indians in 2010, he scored a century off a mere 37 balls, which his captain Shane Warne described as the greatest batting performance he has witnessed in his life. Life was never the same for Yusuf again. He got picked by Kolkata Knight Riders thereafter, and has been a top performer ever since. At his best, he can pulverize the bowlers into submission. He strikes his runs at a frightening rate of 149 runs per 100 balls. He holds the record for the fastest IPL fifty off a mere 15 balls. He is handy with the ball too, and can be trusted to chip in with a few overs in each match.