IPL 2018: Shane Watson adjudged more 'impactful' than Virat Kohli

Shane Watson had been labeled to be down and out even before the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced. But the mighty Australian has proved all critics wrong by emerging as an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise by slamming 106 runs off just 57 balls against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Recently, Watson was adjudged as the most impactful batsman in the ongoing IPL, above the likes of Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle.

Watson currently has 175 runs to his name in 4 matches at a strike rate of 176.77. Following his average stints in the 2017 edition of the tournament, most franchises had been reluctant to draft in the 36 year-old batting all-rounder into their respective sides. It was the CSK side, who’ve returned to the IPL after a two year-long hiatus, that chose to rope in Watson’s services.

Shane Watson, Nitish Rana most ‘impactful’ batsmen

According to the recently published ‘Impact Index’ computed by MONEYBALL, a venture of Inside Sport, Watson has claimed the top spot in the impact rankings, with 235 Impact Points and a salary of INR 4,00,00,000. Following suit is Nitish Rana, who’s playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with 208 impact points and a salary of INR 3,40,00,000 in IPL 2018. Watson’s performances with the willow, combined with the six wickets that he’s picked up as a handy all-rounder, have contributed to this achievement.

The third slot in the Impact Index rankings is occupied by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper, Virat Kohli, with an impact score of 207. The rankings include young sensation, Sanju Samson and the Caribbean all-rounder, Andre Russell. The ranking system is extremely all-encompassing, considering it takes into account every run scored, every wicket or catch taken, along with stumpings and run-outs effected by the players.

According to the mechanism of MONEYBALL, the Impact Index for each player is calculated by awarding them with Impact points. Impact points are arrived at by applying a simple formula. Players earn 1 point for each run scored; 10 points for each wicket taken, 3 points each for a catch, stumping and run-out made.

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