Top 3 all-round performances that came in a losing cause in IPL

Mitchell Marsh (Source: Twitter)

Having a superb all-rounder in the squad, regardless of the format, is a boon for any team as they can win a match with either their batting or bowling skills. But on their day such players excel in both departments and may single-handedly help their team cross the finish line. Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is a great pick for Delhi Capitals (DC) as he continues to impress everyone with his performances in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

DC suffered their sixth defeat in the ongoing IPL after losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by nine runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, April 29. Marsh's all-around brilliance earned him Player of the Match, but he will be disappointed because it did not help his team win.

In the first innings, the right-handed all-rounder picked up four wickets for 27 runs in his four overs that included a maiden. By removing Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, and Harry Brook, he shattered the backbone of the SRH middle order. He was as effective with the bat as well, scoring a magnificent half-century.

Chasing a mammoth score of 198, DC suffered an early setback when they lost captain David Warner in the very first over. Marsh came in at one down and stitched a 112 runs partnership with Philip Salt to keep DC in the game. He smashed 63 from 39 balls including six maximums and one four. However, despite his heroics, DC lost the game by nine runs.

Let's take a look at other instances where brilliant all-around performances have ended in a losing cause in the history of IPL.

1. Moeen Ali vs Mumbai Indians (2019)

England all-rounder Moeen Ali shone with both the bat and ball for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2019. He scored a 32-ball 50 and put on a 95-run partnership with AB de Villiers for the third wicket to take the team total to 171 runs.

He bowled brilliantly and recorded figures of 2/18 in his four overs. Ali dismissed MI openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. However, MI easily chased down the target with an over to spare.

2. Chris Morris vs Gujarat Lions (2016)

The South African all-rounder's all-round heroics for Delhi Daredevils went in vain as Gujarat Lions won a thrilling encounter by 1 run in IPL 2016. Morris registered the figures of 2-35 in his four overs, dismissing the dangerous Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina in the 12th over.

The right-handed all-rounder came in to bat at number six when Daredevils were struggling. Morris played a blistering knock, scoring 82 balls from 32 balls that included four boundaries and eight maximums. He almost won the game for his team but Lions managed to win the thriller by just 1 run.

3. Harbhajan Singh vs Kings XI Punjab (2015)

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh stunned everyone with his all-round performance against Punjab franchise in the 2015 IPL match. The veteran picked up vital wickets of openers Murali Vijay and Virender Sehwag and registered the figures of two wickets for 20 runs in four overs.

Chasing 178, Mumbai's top order struggled and Bhaji, who came in at number eight, smashed the bowlers around the Wankhede Stadium off one ball. His 64 runs from just 24 balls that included five boundaries and six boundaries and took MI close to the target, but the hosts fell short of 18 runs.