Amit's Blog

  What is a good way of analyzing T20 bowling performances?   The traditional metrics of average (runs conceded per wicket) or strike rate (balls taken per wicket) do not fully explain T20 bowling impact. Economy (runs conceded per over) is also very important. Some sort of combination of all of these is required to separate out the performance. So, here’s a simple metric, easy to calculate and apply, that can do the job. The metric was derived based on the data of the  Top 100 IPL wicket takers and the Top 90 T20I wicket takers (min 25 wickets). This Metric is Econ-SR Combo, which accounts for both the economy rate and the strike rate. It de facto accounts for the averages, because relatively low averages can only be attained by having a good combination of the above two. The Econ-SR combo = (100/economy rate) X (100/ Strike Rate). That’s all there is to it. Here’s the table to check where a bowler is: For example, if a bowler has an economy rate of 8.20 and a ...

All-rounders in cricket are a rare breed. It’s hard enough to master one particular skill at test level. To master two at a level that changes the game’s complexion is absolutely masterful. There have been some great all-rounders in the history of the game and there have been many who though not in the same league, have ended up contributing significantly more than a one dimensional player over fairly long periods. The key metric is the relationship between the batting averages and the bowling averages. There are two ways of computing this –a) arithmetic difference b) ratio. I prefer the ratio, mainly because the plain difference doesn’t do justice to the bowling skills. For example, take someone averaging 30 with the ball and 33 with the bat, and compare him with someone averaging 23 with the ball and 26 with the bat. The second player is far more devastating with the bat, and the first one in spite of being a better batsman, is not likely to be commanding his place in the side on...

  A look at some of the key bowlers for India. Their performances during the last couple of years (2018 onwards) have been the key reason for India’s successes at the test level. I doubt that there was any time in history when India had a more potent attack. Of the 5, Ashwin has been the biggest long term performer, going for around 25 runs per wicket. For long the others were lagging, and it’s only recently that they have brought their performance to his levels. He himself seems to have dropped off a bit, but not much. Shami and Sharma have been tremendous during the last two years. Shami had a shorter legacy of mediocrity whereas Sharma has such a long history of mediocrity that it is doubtful that he will ever get his test average down to under 30. However, the last three years of his career have been absolutely outstanding. The big strides, almost unnoticed (or at least less noticed) have been taken by Jadeja. Bumrah has been the catalyst, and he has no legacy burden either not...