Stats takeaways - Mumbai dominate with the bat, Delhi impress with the ball
The key stats takeaways from the first half of IPL 2020
Bharath Seervi
13-Oct-2020
With the league stage of IPL 2020 at its halfway stage, here is a look at some of the key numbers from the tournament so far.
Bat first, win the match
Teams batting first have won 75% (21) of the 28 matches, while chasing sides have won only seven games. Five of the seven wins by chasing teams were completed in the final over. In the four previous IPL seasons, from 2016 onwards, in each season the teams chasing have won more games than those batting first. The average first-innings score so far has been 181, the highest in any IPL season. Teams batting first are averaging a high 36.59 runs per wicket. In none of the previous 12 seasons have teams batting first averaged over 30.
Teams batting first have won 75% (21) of the 28 matches, while chasing sides have won only seven games. Five of the seven wins by chasing teams were completed in the final over. In the four previous IPL seasons, from 2016 onwards, in each season the teams chasing have won more games than those batting first. The average first-innings score so far has been 181, the highest in any IPL season. Teams batting first are averaging a high 36.59 runs per wicket. In none of the previous 12 seasons have teams batting first averaged over 30.
Spinners play key roles in defending targets
The spinners have contrasting numbers between the first innings and second innings. In the first innings, they average 40.60 runs per wicket, while their average when defending targets is just 22.91. Of the three venues, Abu Dhabi is the only venue where the spinners have been equally effective in both innings. In Dubai and Sharjah, the difference between first and second-innings averages is huge.
The spinners have contrasting numbers between the first innings and second innings. In the first innings, they average 40.60 runs per wicket, while their average when defending targets is just 22.91. Of the three venues, Abu Dhabi is the only venue where the spinners have been equally effective in both innings. In Dubai and Sharjah, the difference between first and second-innings averages is huge.
Indian batsmen on a roll
There have been 12 innings of 80 or more, of which nine have come from Indians. Of the three 80-plus knocks by overseas batsmen, two came in the same innings - Faf du Plessis (87*) and Shane Watson (83*) against Kings XI Punjab; Jonny Bairstow's 97 is the other. It is not a regular sight to see overseas batsmen not dominating the list of top scores: in the last four seasons (2016 to 2019), Indians have scored only 50% of the 80-plus scores, but this year the share is 75% so far.
There have been 12 innings of 80 or more, of which nine have come from Indians. Of the three 80-plus knocks by overseas batsmen, two came in the same innings - Faf du Plessis (87*) and Shane Watson (83*) against Kings XI Punjab; Jonny Bairstow's 97 is the other. It is not a regular sight to see overseas batsmen not dominating the list of top scores: in the last four seasons (2016 to 2019), Indians have scored only 50% of the 80-plus scores, but this year the share is 75% so far.
Wins batting first includes two tied games in which the team batting first won the super over.
Mumbai's batting bosses all phases
Mumbai Indians have been the best batting team in terms of scoring rates in each of three phases of the innings - Powerplay (run rate of 7.97 in the first six), middle-overs (8.77 between overs 7 and 16) and the death overs (13.26 in the last four). In each of these phases, their batsmen average over 30 runs per wickets. Kieron Pollard has scored 138 runs at strike rate of 222.58 in the death overs, which is the most by a batsman in that phase this season. In the Powerplay overs, Quinton de Kock has been Mumbai's key performer with 119 runs at 130.76, while Suryakumar Yadav has topped in the middle-order with 133 runs at 144.56. Mumbai batsmen also have the second-best ratio of balls to sixes (12.57); only Rajasthan Royals have hit sixes more frequently, every 12 balls. Chennai Super Kings are the worst in the balls per six ratio (23.54).
Mumbai Indians have been the best batting team in terms of scoring rates in each of three phases of the innings - Powerplay (run rate of 7.97 in the first six), middle-overs (8.77 between overs 7 and 16) and the death overs (13.26 in the last four). In each of these phases, their batsmen average over 30 runs per wickets. Kieron Pollard has scored 138 runs at strike rate of 222.58 in the death overs, which is the most by a batsman in that phase this season. In the Powerplay overs, Quinton de Kock has been Mumbai's key performer with 119 runs at 130.76, while Suryakumar Yadav has topped in the middle-order with 133 runs at 144.56. Mumbai batsmen also have the second-best ratio of balls to sixes (12.57); only Rajasthan Royals have hit sixes more frequently, every 12 balls. Chennai Super Kings are the worst in the balls per six ratio (23.54).
Delhi's bowling unit most economical
Delhi Capitals are the only team with an economy rate below eight this season (7.90). In their first seven matches, they have also taken the most wickets (51) and conceded the fewest boundaries (120). In the tournament so far, six bowlers have taken five or more wickets at economy of less than eight and average of below 20. Three of them are from Delhi - Kagiso Rabada, Axar Patel and R Ashwin. Their other key wicket-taker Anrich Nortje has taken eight wickets at economy of 7.21 and average of 25.25.
Delhi Capitals are the only team with an economy rate below eight this season (7.90). In their first seven matches, they have also taken the most wickets (51) and conceded the fewest boundaries (120). In the tournament so far, six bowlers have taken five or more wickets at economy of less than eight and average of below 20. Three of them are from Delhi - Kagiso Rabada, Axar Patel and R Ashwin. Their other key wicket-taker Anrich Nortje has taken eight wickets at economy of 7.21 and average of 25.25.
Sharjah vs Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Clearly Sharjah has been the most batting-friendly venue among the three venues. The average run rate at Sharjah has been 9.67 whereas at Dubai and Abu Dhabi it is 8.34 and 8.16 respectively. However, Dubai is catching with Sharjah in terms of frequency of sixes. At Sharjah a six is hit every 16 balls while at Dubai it is 20 balls per six. At Abu Dhabi, batsmen take 32 balls for every six. Seven 200-plus totals have come at Sharjah, all in the first seven innings and none in the next five.
Clearly Sharjah has been the most batting-friendly venue among the three venues. The average run rate at Sharjah has been 9.67 whereas at Dubai and Abu Dhabi it is 8.34 and 8.16 respectively. However, Dubai is catching with Sharjah in terms of frequency of sixes. At Sharjah a six is hit every 16 balls while at Dubai it is 20 balls per six. At Abu Dhabi, batsmen take 32 balls for every six. Seven 200-plus totals have come at Sharjah, all in the first seven innings and none in the next five.
| Venue | Mats | Run rate | Runs/wkt | Balls/Six | Ave 1st inns score | 200+ totals |
| Sharjah | 6 | 9.67 | 31.25 | 16.76 | 209 | 7 |
| Dubai | 12 | 8.34 | 27.88 | 20.32 | 178 | 4 |
| Abu Dhabi | 10 | 8.16 | 27.98 | 32.18 | 169 | 0 |
Bharath Seervi is stats sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo @SeerviBharath