![Don Bradman For MI [Source: ChatGPT, OneCricket]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1756292890016_don_bradman.jpg?type=mq)
Don Bradman For MI [Source: ChatGPT, OneCricket]
Today marks the 117th birth anniversary of Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest batter to have ever played the game of cricket. His Test average of 99.94 redefined the excellence of the skill in the game. Born on 27 August 1908, "The Don" remains the gold standard of batting genius.
On this special day, it would be fascinating to imagine how cricket's ultimate run-machine would have fared in the grand event of modern-day, the Indian Premier League.
Best Suited IPL Franchise For Don Bradman
Mumbai Indians (85/100): The pitch at the Wankhede is generally bouncy, and it generally favours the pacers. During his career, Bradman demonstrated brilliant dexterity against pacers; hence, the home ground of the most successful franchise would have been a great place for him.
Punjab Kings (80/100): The home ground for the Punjab Kings, the Mohali or the Mullanpur stadium, has also favoured the pacers. Bradman could have been a good fit in the Kings, too.
Rajasthan Royals (75/100): The home ground of the Royals has mostly been the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. While it favours the spinners, the even pace and bounce at the track mostly is good for batters. This makes the Royals a good place for the greatest batter ever.
The Winner: Mumbai Indians
Data analysis reveals a hidden vulnerability of Don Bradman. Two bowlers who have dismissed him the most times during his career were both spinners - Clarrie Grimmett (10 times) and Hedley Verity (10 times). In fact, he called leg-spinner Bill O'Reilly 'the finest bowler I faced."
The fact that the Mumbai Indians have a home pitch that supports pace and bounce, and helps the faster bowlers, makes it an arena where Bradman would have likely prospered.
The Numbers: A Realistic Assessment
Virat Kohli has been exceptional for the RCB in IPL. When a talent of this elite class is analysed, we see that he has averaged around 37-40. Keeping the context in mind, Bradman's average is 2.5 times better in Tests than even the most elite batters, but T20 is a different format. Conservatively projecting a 1.4x multiplier, he would have averaged around 48.
His strike rate has been around 62. Keeping in mind the evolution of the game, the introduction of modern technologies, and high-end analytical tools, we can project that his scoring rate could have been around 130-135, which is good but not explosive.
Keeping everything in mind, we can state that he could have scored 672 runs per season while playing a number three anchor role for his team.
The Adaptation Challenge
If we project Don Bradman's career in the IPL, one thing is for sure: he would have faced serious hurdles, given how the game has evolved now. Having played Test cricket in the early stages of the game, he faced little variation from the bowlers, like slower deliveries, cutters or wide yorkers, while keeping the scoring rate high.
Additionally, adapting to the higher standards of fielding would have made his life more difficult. But it is Don Bradman we are talking about - statistically, the best batter the world has ever seen. Even with the challenges we can predict that he would have been an asset to his franchise.
The Verdict
Bradman wouldn't have dominated T20 like he did Test cricket, but he would still be exceptional. His extraordinary footwork and timing suggest strong adaptation potential. Playing for MI in an anchor role at number three, he could have emerged as one of the most consistent run scorers in the league.
