Cricket

IPL 2024: Ranking the top 10 tallest cricketers

May 17, 2024

Tall cricketers have become increasingly significant in modern cricket, especially in the fast-paced and competitive environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Their height provides a natural advantage, if a person is a bowler, allowing them to extract extra bounce and pace from the pitch, which can be particularly daunting for batters. The ability to bowl from a higher trajectory means the ball reaches the bat at a steeper angle, often causing misjudgments and creating opportunities for wickets. This high release point also means that deliveries tend to skid more and can produce awkward bounce, making it difficult for batters to predict and react effectively.

In addition to their bowling prowess, tall cricketers often possess an extended reach which can be a significant advantage in fielding and batting. On the field, they can cover more ground quickly and have an enhanced ability to catch high balls, contributing to their team’s defensive strategies. When it comes to batting, the extended reach allows them to play a wider range of shots and handle short-pitched deliveries with greater ease. Their physical presence can also be intimidating for bowlers, who must adjust their lengths and lines to counter the additional height. This versatility and the multi-faceted benefits of having tall players in the team contribute to a well-rounded and dynamic squad.

The Impact of Tall Cricketers in the IPL

Tall cricketers have made a substantial impact in the IPL, transforming the dynamics of both bowling and batting. Their ability to generate high bounce and speed on various pitches provides their teams with an edge in the shorter format of the game. The IPL, known for its high-scoring matches and aggressive batting styles, sees tall bowlers disrupting the rhythm of the opposition with their unique delivery styles and the challenging angles they create. This not only helps in taking crucial wickets but also in maintaining a tighter control over the run rate, which is pivotal in the T20 format.

Moreover, tall players contribute significantly to the batting lineup by leveraging their height to play aggressive and powerful shots. They can dominate bowlers by reaching deliveries that others might struggle with, turning potential dot balls into scoring opportunities. This ability to clear the infield and hit boundaries with ease makes them valuable assets during powerplays and in the death overs. Their physical strength, combined with their height, enables them to execute big hits and finish innings on a high note, often changing the course of the game in their favor. The presence of tall cricketers thus enhances the overall performance and strategic depth of IPL teams, making them indispensable in the league’s high-stakes environment.

Also READ: Top 10 highest powerplay scores in the IPL history – May 2024

Overview of the Top 10 tallest cricketers in IPL 2024

The IPL 2024 season showcases an impressive array of towering cricketers who bring not only their height but also their exceptional skills to the forefront.

1. Leading this group is Marco Jansen, the South African bowler standing at an imposing 6’8″. Jansen has carved out a reputation with his ability to extract significant bounce and awkward angles, posing challenges for even the most skilled batters. Jansen’s career statistics for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) highlight his potential, with 20 wickets from 21 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 9.53 and a best bowling performance of 3/25. However, his 2024 season has been tough, with just 1 wicket from 3 matches, an average of 129.00, and an economy rate of 12.90, indicating room for improvement.

2. Next is Cameron Green of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) standing tall at 6’6″. The Australian all-rounder has been pivotal, known for his explosive batting and efficient bowling. With a career batting average of 40.13 and a strike rate of 152.13 across 27 matches, Green has proven his worth. His bowling, with 14 wickets at an average of 44.14, complements his batting prowess. In the 2024 season, he has scored 190 runs with a strike rate of 135.71 and taken 8 wickets, showcasing his dual skills effectively.

3. Mitchell Starc, another 6’6″ giant, has made headlines not just for his performance but also for fetching the highest ever auction price in IPL history. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this year, Starc’s career figures boast 46 wickets from 38 matches with an average of 23.67. His ability to generate bounce and pace makes him a feared bowler. In 2024, Starc has continued his form with 12 wickets, albeit at a higher economy of 11.37.

4. Ishant Sharma of the Delhi Capitals (DC) stands at 6’4″. The experienced Indian pacer has been known for his ability to produce steep bounce, which is reflected in his career tally of 93 wickets from 110 matches. In the current season, Ishant has maintained his form with 10 wickets from 9 matches, proving his continued relevance in the IPL.

5. At 6’3″, Pat Cummins of SRH brings his formidable pace and captaincy skills to the table. With a career spanning 54 matches and 59 wickets, Cummins’ high arm action and bounce make him a critical asset. In 2024, his performance includes 14 wickets from 12 matches, underscoring his importance to the team’s bowling attack.

6. Venkatesh Iyer also stands at 6’3″ and has become a key player for KKR. Known for his aggressive batting and useful medium pace, Iyer has accumulated 1223 runs in his career with a strike rate of 133.95. This season, he has added 267 runs to his tally with an impressive average of 33.38.

7. Arjun Tendulkar, the young left-arm pacer from Mumbai Indians (MI), stands at 6’3″. Despite limited exposure, his potential is evident from his debut stats. Although he has not played in the 2024 season yet, his ability to swing the ball late makes him a valuable future prospect.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary spinner from Rajasthan Royals (RR), is 6’2″ tall. With a career spanning 209 matches and 178 wickets, Ashwin’s height aids his spin, providing additional bounce and dip. However, his 2024 stats show a dip in performance with only 7 wickets from 12 matches.

9. Andre Burger, another 6’2″ bowler, recently emerged as a notable talent for RR. Despite being new to the IPL, his career stats of 7 wickets from 5 matches at an average of 20.71 showcase his potential. His 2024 performance mirrors his career stats, indicating consistency.

10. Lastly, Andre Russell, the explosive all-rounder from the West Indies, stands at 6’1″. Known for his game-changing abilities with both bat and ball, Russell’s career includes 2484 runs with a strike rate of 174.93 and 111 wickets. In the 2024 season, he has contributed 222 runs and taken 15 wickets, reaffirming his status as a vital player for KKR.

Advantages of being tall in cricket

Jansen benefits immensely from his towering height of 6’8″, which allows him to extract extra bounce and generate awkward angles, making it difficult for batters to handle his deliveries. His ability to bowl bouncers that rise sharply from a good length poses a significant threat, especially on bouncy pitches. This height advantage also helps him get a steeper trajectory, making his yorkers more effective.
For Green, standing at 6’6″, the height provides a significant edge in both his batting and bowling. As a bowler, Green’s tall frame helps him deliver the ball from a higher point, enhancing bounce and making his deliveries hard to play on the up. When batting, his height allows him to cover more ground with his reach, making it easier to play both front foot and back foot shots, providing a versatile approach to handling various types of bowling.
Starc uses his 6’6″ height to his advantage by generating extreme pace and bounce. His high arm action results in a steep delivery angle, making it challenging for batters to read and handle. This height allows him to produce lethal bouncers and yorkers, making him one of the most feared fast bowlers in cricket. His ability to extract extra bounce also aids in creating more wicket-taking opportunities.
Ishant leverages his 6’4″ stature to create sharp, steep bounce that can trouble batters. His height allows him to bowl consistently at a good length, making it difficult for batters to play comfortably. This steep bounce is particularly advantageous on hard pitches, where the ball tends to rise more sharply, making Ishant a formidable bowler in such conditions.
Cummins, at 6’3″, uses his height to deliver balls with a high arm action, producing more bounce and making his deliveries difficult to negotiate. His ability to extract bounce off the pitch, combined with his pace, makes him a potent bowler. This height advantage also aids in his captaincy, giving him a better perspective of the field setup and bowling strategies.
Venkatesh benefits from his 6’3″ height by generating bounce in his medium-pace bowling and having a commanding presence at the crease. His height allows him to hit the ball with more power and cover more ground with his shots, making him a versatile batters capable of aggressive plays. As a bowler, his height aids in delivering balls that can rise unexpectedly, adding an element of surprise.
Arjun stands at 6’3″, which helps him swing the ball late with additional bounce. This ability to generate bounce, combined with late swing, makes his deliveries harder to play, particularly on bouncier tracks. His height also gives him a physical advantage in generating more speed and force in his bowling.
Ashwin uses his 6’2″ height to add bounce and dip to his spin deliveries. This extra bounce makes his off-spin more challenging for batters to play, especially when they misjudge the length. His height allows him to impart more spin on the ball, making his variations in flight and spin more effective.
Burger, standing at 6’2″, benefits from his height by generating bounce and delivering at awkward lengths. This makes it difficult for batters to settle against him, especially when he bowls in the shorter formats. His height aids in maintaining a good bowling rhythm, making his deliveries more consistent and challenging.
Russell, at 6’1″, uses his height to produce powerful hits and deliver brisk pace bowling. His physical strength, combined with his height, allows him to hit towering sixes and bowl with significant bounce. This combination makes him a valuable all-rounder, capable of changing the game’s momentum with both bat and ball.