Stats show Ravindra Jadeja is by far the best all-rounder in Tests since 2016

Ravindra Jadeja

All-rounders play a vital role in Test cricket. While also offering a handy fifth bowling option, they aid a great deal in boosting a score while batting by scoring quick runs down the order. But a good all-rounder is hard to come by. A plethora of all-rounders tend to not be too good at either batting or bowling and end up being termed as ‘bits and pieces’ cricketers. Therefore, there are very few all-rounders in Test cricket at the moment who are able to hold their own both with the bat and ball.
The one tasked with being the all-rounder who offers a fifth bowling option and scores quick runs for India is Ravindra Jadeja. And it is in the Test format, more than the limited-overs ones, where the Saurashtra all-rounder has shone and performed in such a way to even be considered one of India’s greatest all-rounders of all time.
It is hence, no surprise that he was voted India’s Test MVP of the 21st century by Wisden Cricket this year. The southpaw is currently ranked No. 3 in the all-rounders ranking and has been going from strength to strength over the course of the last few years.
Stats show Jadeja is way ahead of the rest

A reliable way to judge an all-rounder’s effectiveness is to look at his averages. The batting average represents the mean of all scores he has made while the bowling average represents how many runs he conceded per every wicket he takes. If the two are thus subtracted and the figure is high, it means the all-rounder is supremely efficient. This is because it is desirable to have a high batting average and low bowling average.
In terms of difference between averages since 2016, Ravindra Jadeja is way ahead of the rest of the all-rounders. His average difference is a whopping 21.32 while second-placed Ben Stokes‘ figure is 14.75. Shakib Al-Hasan is third with 12.45 while Jason Holder with 7.74 and Vernon Philander with 0.80 are fourth and fifth. It is thus difficult to have the difference above 0 but Jadeja has it at 21.32 which only goes to show how important he has been for India.
The stats are as follows (since 2016):
Player | Batting Average | Bowling Average | Difference in Averages |
Ravindra Jadeja | 46.29 | 24.97 | 21.32 |
Ben Stokes | 42.34 | 27.59 | 14.75 |
Shakib Al-Hasan | 38.48 | 26.03 | 12.45 |
Jason Holder | 33.40 | 25.66 | 7.74 |
Vernon Philander | 23.42 | 22.62 | 0.80 |
Nevin Clinton
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