Why teams play Multi-Talented Cricketers?

[zen]

Why teams play multi-talented cricketers? I am using the word "multi-talented" to refer to cricketers that have been called anything from ARs (All Rounders) to Bits and Piece cricketers. For some such cricketers do not exist. Before we examine the reason teams play multi-talented cricketers, let's define them. 

 

Multi-Talented Cricketer (MTC): A cricketer chosen by the team to perform 2 functions - batting and bowling/wicket keeping. 

 

Many define cricketers with Batting Avg > Bowling Avg as ARs. However, this should not be the definition. Why? Because Batting Avg (BtA) > Bowling Avg (BoA) is a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) for the MTC. Much like we do not define a batsman as someone who averages at least 50 with the bat or a bowler as someone who average 25 or less with the ball. The batting average of 50 and the bowling average of 25 are KPIs for the batsman and bowler respectively. A player selected as a batsman could average 25 with the bat, while one selected as a bowler could average 50 with the ball. Similarly, BtA>BoW tells us how the MTC is performing, it does not define a MTC, who is a cricketer chosen to perform two functions - batting and bowling/wicket keeping by his team. Those who are good at both batting and bowling could end up with numbers where BtA>BoA. 

 

With the defination out of the way, let's get back to the question - Why teams play multi-talented cricketers? The simple answer is - they provide flexibility and depth to the team. Because these guys are multi-talented, they probably think about the game from various dimensions, making them smart cricketers as well once developed. And many of these cricketers turn out to be irreplaceable match-winners for their team. I am going to illustrate this by focusing on ODIs. 

 

In 1989, Sanath Jayasuriya made his debut. It appeared as if he was chosen mainly as a bowler but it was hard to see that he would have been picked just for his bowling skills. He probably usually batted at #7 early on in his career so he must have been chosen for his batting too. His stats in ODIs in the first 2-3 years were nothing much to write about. Were there better batsmen than him? Probably yes. Were there better bowlers than him? Probably yes. But SL knew something about him that we did not and invested in Jayasuriya. In 1996, we found out why.  Jayasuriya won SL the World Cup and was the Man of the Series. The rest is history. 

 

In 1996, Australia introduced Adam Gilchrist. Were there better WKs than him? Probably yes. Were there better batsmen than him? Probably yes. But he was chosen because he combined batting and wicket keeping skills in such a way that he became a potent weapon. Gilchrist went on play important knocks in 1999, 2003 and 2007 WC finals. Australia also became the first team to win 3 WCs in a row. 

 

In 2000, India introduced Yuvraj Singh. May be for how he blended batting, bowling and fielding skills in to a package. In 2007, Yuvraj hit 6 6s in an over against England in the first T20 WC, helping India gain momentum that carried them to the title. In 2011, like Jayasuriya, he received the Man of the Series at the 2011 World Cup which India won. 

 

In 2004, India introduced MS Dhoni. Were there better batsmen than Dhoni? Probably yes. Were there better WKs than Dhoni? Probably yes. But none combined the two skills as Dhoni did. Dhoni went on to become one of the most successful captains in the history of the game, winning all possible ICC titles by captaining India to wins in 2007 T20 WC, 2011 ODI WC and CT2013. He is also one of the few cricketers to average 50+ with the bat among those with 10,000 or more ODI runs. @velu can describe Dhoni's lightening speed behind the stumps in great details. 

 

 

To summarize, teams play MTCs because they can provide an unmatched value to the team. Much like rough diamonds, at times, they need to be polished. Once polished, the right diamond would provide great value.  To find the diamond with great value, teams invest in such cricketers. 

 

 

Disclaimer

 

MTC refers to Multi-Talented Cricketer and not our forum friend @CSK Fan .... Though I have read that he played cricket at some level and could also be a MTC

Edited February 20, 2019 by zen

[sandeep]

Banjo itna kuch likh diya lekin jiskaa tu aashiq hai uskaa naam tak nahi likha.

[maniac]

@Khota ur views

[maniac]

Multi talented doesn’t have to be just some bits and pieces guy who does a little bit of this and little bit of that.

 

Take Rohit Sharma for example- an amazing fielder but his incredible and brutal 6 hitting has taken toll on his body a little. This has affected  his Graeme Swann like magical off spin bowling and slowed down his fielding a little. Still a gun slip fielder though and overall a safe fielder.

 

However “multi-talented” can be defined in  the way he can effortlessly deposit a 150k delivery, a slower ball, a viciously spinning delivery, A bouncer( best in the business) , a Yorker etc etc.

 

He can even can shut down shop and play a defensive game when the ball is swinging on a green mamba.

 

Now that is the kind of multi talented cricketer we need. Someone once he clicks, the game is so one sided that the opposition can just give a walk over. A man who almost hit a 300 in 50 overs on his own. These cricketers are far and few in between and once in a generation.

[Khota]

56 minutes ago, maniac said:

@Khota ur views

My views are different. As a minimum anyone who takes the field for the team has to be an excellent fielder without compromise. As far as multi talented is concerned it is extremely rare and most likely not possible by one individual to excel in both batting and bowling. I only believe in specialist. Batting Avg >> Bowling avg is a commendable goal if achieved against a genuine opposition. Extremely hard to do that in real life.

[zen]

1 hour ago, maniac said:

Multi talented doesn’t have to be just some bits and pieces guy who does a little bit of this and little bit of that.

 

Take Rohit Sharma for example- an amazing fielder but his incredible and brutal 6 hitting has taken toll on his body a little. This has affected  his Graeme Swann like magical off spin bowling and slowed down his fielding a little. Still a gun slip fielder though and overall a safe fielder.

 

However “multi-talented” can be defined in  the way he can effortlessly deposit a 150k delivery, a slower ball, a viciously spinning delivery, A bouncer( best in the business) , a Yorker etc etc.

 

He can even can shut down shop and play a defensive game when the ball is swinging on a green mamba.

 

Now that is the kind of multi talented cricketer we need. Someone once he clicks, the game is so one sided that the opposition can just give a walk over. A man who almost hit a 300 in 50 overs on his own. These cricketers are far and few in between and once in a generation.

Great! Can we expect such a talented, once in a gen, and extremely experienced individual to perform at least at Dhawan’s level (Roughly avg 75 at 100 SR in ICC events) in the WC19?  

 

PS as the say in some movies - “Yeh toh purush nahin. Mahapurush hai.” 

Edited February 20, 2019 by zen