All-rounders have become one of the most valuable assets in modern cricket due to their ability to contribute in both batting and bowling.
With the game evolving to become faster and more competitive across Test, ODI, and T20 formats, teams now depend heavily on multi-skilled players for balance and match-winning impact.
Modern all-rounders such as Ben Stokes, Shakib Al Hasan, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Muhammad Nawaz consistently influence results and provide strategic flexibility to their teams.
Introduction:
Cricket has come a long way in its history and even today continues to evolve. The game has become significantly faster, tougher, and more difficult to play than ever before. Modern cricket demands players who can adapt to different situations and excel under pressure.
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An all-rounder is a player who can contribute significantly with both batting and bowling. They provide a double advantage to their team by performing two key roles, which can be crucial in deciding the outcome of a match.
However, it may not always be realistic to expect an all-rounder to impact the game as consistently as a specialist player. Regardless of the format,whether Test cricket or T20.A true all-rounder remains a valuable asset on the field. Present Day examples include Ben Stokes, Shakib Al Hasan, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Muhammad Nawaz from Pakistan.
Definition of All-Rounder:
A true all rounder being an all-rounder is not just when the player is batting little bit and bowling at times. Being an all-rounder is when the player is helping his team in batting as well as in bowling at times.
An all-rounder has his rightful place in the batting order as well as bowling regularly. A person who occasionally balls or scores some runs towards the end does not come under the category of an all-rounder.
One can judge a complete batsman by observing his contributions to his team. They are capable of dealing with pressure, preventing his team from losing, or getting vital wickets in a match.
Example: Ben Stokes in the 2019 Ashes. He assisted England in a significant manner in the match.
Useful Batsman vs. True All-Rounder:
A regular batsman principally bats and can also bowl occasionally, while an all-rounder has a more vital role to play since they not only bat and bowl but also help with fielding, making them very useful on the playing field.
- Competent batsmen are not the captain's first option to bowl.
- Real all-rounders are very important as bowlers to their teams.
- Even bowlers who are performing well would not average too many runs. However, an overall good cricketer would play well in pressured situations and would help his or her teammates win a match that, on average, they would not possess much of a chance of winning.
In short, players who are recognized as competing and helping to win results are highly valued and considerable assets in a team, while overall winners are the ones who make winning a possibility.
How to Know a True All-Rounder from Stats:
Figures in cricket can provide you with a variety of information regarding a player. If a player is said to be an all-rounder, then his performance in both batting and bowling will be respectable.
- Batting
The batting average of an all-round player must be sufficiently high, depending on the format. In ODIs, it is a must for an all-round player's average to be at least 35, whereas in T20, it must be at least 30, and in Test cricket, it must be at least 40.
- Bowling
A bowling average of an all-rounder should also be respectable, depending on the format. The bowling average should be 25-30 in ODIs/T20 matches, while 30-32 in Test matches.
All-rounders' performance is further measured in terms of additional indicators like strike rates, economy rates, and impressive performance in match-related situations that add to their overall performance in the team.
A player with limited skills in one of the two aspects of cricket, namely batting and bowling, and poor performance in the second aspect will not qualify to be classified as a cricketer with overall ability.
Types of All-Rounders:
- Batting All-Rounder: Players mainly batting specialists who can also contribute with bowling when needed. Example: Ben Stokes, Hardik Pandya
- Bowling All-Rounder: Players mainly bowling specialists who can also contribute with batting. Example: Ravindra Jadeja, Shakib Al Hasan
T20 All-Rounders:
T20 cricket is the fastest type of cricket and is also quite aggressive. In T20 cricket, a player not only needs to be technically sound, but it is required that they make an immediate impression. Therefore, in T20 cricket, a well-rounded role of an all-rounder becomes very essential because an individual gets to do three jobs.
>T20 all-round player would be someone who can make the most difference in two overs. It could be smashing biggies, being on target in the middle overs, or taking intelligent cricketing decisions, and all of it can be achieved by T20 all-round players.
- Andre Russell
Andre Russell is considered one of the most destructive T20 all-rounders in the world. Participating in an IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on 19 April 2019, Andre Russell took 3 vital wickets, followed by an unbeaten display of 48 runs off merely 13 balls, with seven sixes, as he contributed towards helping his team emerge victorious.
- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is an all-rounder in T20 cricket. In an international match between India and England in the 2nd T20 match on 20th July 2022, he grabbed 2 wickets giving away 22 runs and then remained unbeaten with a score of 40 runs in 22 balls while chasing a target of 199 runs.
- Muhammad Nawaz
Muhammad Nawaz is a true bowling all-rounder that Pakistan can be very proud of. He scored an important innings of 25 off 21 balls in the final match of the T20 tri-series against Afghanistan on 7th September 2025 at Sharjah. Later, he took 5 wickets on 19 balls including a hat-trick that bowled Afghanistan out for just 66 runs, giving Pakistan an innings win by 75 runs.
- Marcus Stoinis
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Marcus Stoinis is a skilled T20 all-round cricketer from Australia. When playing against Oman on June 5, 2024, in the T20 World Cup group stage at Bridgetown, he took 3 crucial wickets to stop Oman’s key performers. Later, his unbeaten strike of 67 runs from 36 balls increased the Australian score to 164, enabling his side to win by 39 runs.
All-Rounders in ODI Cricket:
The format of ODI cricket is well-balanced. As it is a 50-over match, endurance, consistency, and knowledge about the game are extremely essential. In ODIs, the duty of a good all-rounder is not just hitting sixes or defending, but also knowing how the entire game should be played.
An ideal all-rounder in ODI cricket can hold the innings together or accelerate when needed, and also contribute with the ball by picking wickets in the death overs.
- Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is one of the best ODI all-rounders. Playing for Bangladesh versus Ireland at Mirpur on 25 March 2023, he took 4 wickets for 32 runs and later contributed 75 not out to chase down 273 runs. Bangladesh won the match by 7 wickets.
- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is a true ODI all-rounder. He played for India versus New Zealand in the 3rd ODI on 21 January 2023, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs and remaining unbeaten with 72 runs off 54 deliveries, helping India reach 253 and win the series by 8 wickets.
- Mohammed Nabi
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Mohammed Nabi is a stalwart of Afghanistan in ODIs. In the 3rd ODI against Ireland at Sharjah on 12 March 2024, he bowled exceptionally, taking 5 wickets for 17 runs, reducing Ireland to 152. He also contributed with the bat, helping Afghanistan win by 7 wickets and secure the series.
- Imad Wasim
Imad Wasim has proved to be a valuable ODI all-rounder for Pakistan. Against Zimbabwe in the third ODI match held in Rawalpindi on 3 November 2020, he took 5 wickets for 14 runs and scored 63 not out off 47 balls, contributing to Pakistan’s chase of 278 and winning both the match and series.
Genuine All-Rounders in Test Cricket:
Test cricket is the ultimate challenge for players who can do many things. To excel in Test cricket, players need more than natural ability—they need good technique, patience, and mental strength. A Test cricket all-rounder should be able to bat for long durations and bowl consistently over extended periods.
- Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is a prominent player for England. He played a game against Australia at Headingley in the 3rd Ashes Test on 22-25 August 2019. In this match, Ben Stokes scored 135 runs, remaining not out in the second innings, while he scored 8 runs in the first innings. He also took 3 wickets in the match and supported Jack Leach. His performance helped England win the game by just 1 wicket. This match is remembered as one of the great comebacks in Test cricket history, with Ben Stokes playing a pivotal role.
- Ravindra Jadeja
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Ravindra Jadeja is an example of a bowling all-rounder in Test cricket. Against Sri Lanka at Mohali in the first Test from 4-6 March 2022, he scored 175 runs without getting out and took a total of 9 wickets (5 for 41 runs and 4 for 46 runs). His contributions with both bat and ball helped India win by an innings and 222 runs.
- Shakib Al Hasan
Further Reading:
For a clearer and more detailed understanding of what an all-rounder is in cricket, you can read the official Wikipedia explanation of an all-rounder. This reference explains the role, responsibilities, and importance of all-rounders across different formats of the game.
Conclusion
An all-rounder is one of the biggest strengths a cricket team can have. An all-rounder gives balance to the team and makes more options available for the captain. In recent times, cricketers such as Ben Stokes, Shakib Al Hasan, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Shadab Khan have shown how all-rounders can be taken to a different dimension altogether. As long as cricket is practiced, the need for true all-rounders will seldom diminish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is an all-rounder in cricket?
An all-rounder is a player in cricket who has the ability to perform well in the areas of batting as well as bowling. They provide a balanced strength to the team as they are able to perform two roles.
Why are all-rounders so much sought after in modern cricket?
An all-rounder provides variation and adaptability. They are capable of altering the course of a match through bat and ball.
Can an all-rounder impact a match like a specialist?
Even if the level of performance is not always consistent as in the case of a specialist player, the presence of the player can have a significant effect on the outcome of the match.
Can you give some present-day outstanding cricketers who have top-class all-rounded qualities?
Current world-class all-rounders include Ben Stokes, Shakib Al Hasan, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Muhammad Nawaz from Pakistan.
How is an all-rounder different from an ordinary player?
A well-rounded player will always contribute with the bat and ball at the same time; he definitely will have his place in the batting order; he will always bowl; and he will also be useful with the fields.