Impact Index

25/07/2017

It took us over five months to get this right - every series India ever won or drew in its Test history ranked as per team strength. Not surprising where Australia 2001 or England 2007 came up, but certainly how low West Indies 1971, England 2016 and especially England 1986 appeared in the overall scheme of things.
Aptly just before we start the new series tomorrow (even though this current series is not historically anywhere near this significant), Sri Lanka 2009 and 2010 are two of the strongest sides India has ever faced - the thought has struck no one, given how much we take India-Sri Lanka encounters for granted. In fact, given how strong the 2009 Sri Lankan side was particularly, their defeat in India might just be their most debilitating series defeat in their Test history. This is the most interesting finding.
There are a few more, including the special place VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh occupy in our Test history in a way no one has ever spoken about.

Here it is - all the opposition from India's Test history, divided by series, ranked on impact, frozen in time.

All the opposition from India's Test history, divided by series, ranked on impact, frozen in time.

20/06/2017

The Champions Trophy, 2017 produced the most unexpected winner in the history of any major ICC tournament and for that reason alone was historic. How did Pakistan (being the lowest impact team before the tournament) manage to win the title? Where did the tournament favourites - England and India - slip? Why did South Africa stumble again? Who were the players who stood out in the tournament?

Impact Index tries to answer some of these questions in its Tournament Review.

CT 2017 Review: Impact Index looks at the various teams - what they did right, where they went wrong, the way ahead and also the players who made a difference.

31/05/2017

Impact Index's Preview of the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Who are the projected semi-finalists? Why are England favourites? Why is Group A by far the tougher group?
Why are Australia the Dark Horse? Can Bangladesh cause a major upset or two? Does India have a good chance to defend the title?

The four most likely teams to reach the semi-finals. Why Australia might stutter. Why South Africa, despite their batting riches, have an age-old problem. Why Bangladesh have the ability to spring a surprise or two. And many more such stories.

30/05/2017

Impact Index's preview of the 2017 Champions Trophy on GQ India:

Which are the four most likely teams to reach the semi-finals. Which team has the strongest batting unit. Why Australia might stutter. Why South Africa, despite their batting riches, have an age-old problem. Why Bangladesh have the ability to spring a surprise or two. And many more such stories.

Hear it from the number-crunchers at Impact Index

24/05/2017

IPL 2017 at a glance:

http://www.impactindexcricket.com/match-reports/ipl-2017-the-men-at-the-top/

16/05/2017

IPL 2017 at a glance:

16/05/2017

Presenting Impact Index's IPL 2017 Group Stage XI. Players have been picked according to their positions.

15/05/2017

Younis Khan ended his career as the highest impact Asian batsman in 140 years of Test history. And the fifth-highest overall, behind Don Bradman, Peter May, Greg Chappell and Brian Lara (min. 50 Tests).

14/05/2017

So, Impact Index gets 3 of its 4 projected IPL semifinalists right yet again (Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders & SunRisers Hyderabad).
It has been our average since the last seven years.

Despite the vagaries of form and luck, the variables of dew and toss, despite no guarantees where and when the bad umpiring decisions may come, despite two teams completely being off-colour and grossly underachieving, despite one of the playoff teams relying unhealthily on one batsman (who already did enough last year), numbers are capable of so much more than they are given credit for, especially in the cricket world.

As for those who think T20 is too chancy and flashy to be called 'cricket', do consider looking more closely next time.

10/04/2017

The highest batsmen in IPL - Indian Premier League history (min. 30 matches): Michael Hussey, David Warner, Suresh Raina, Andrew Symonds and Herschelle Gibbs.

05/04/2017

Why misreading numbers by not considering context can destroy lives, withhold credit and perpetuate bias. It happens in cricket every single day in different degrees. No exaggeration.

https://www.gqindia.com/content/hidden-figures-meet-unsung-heroes-cricket/

05/04/2017

Impact Index previews IPL - Indian Premier League 2017.

Why Mumbai, India, The Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad should make the playoffs.

What makes Royal Challengers Bangalore the dar horse.

And how unavailabilities of certain players affect their respective teams.

http://www.impactindexcricket.com/features/balanced-mumbai-experienced-gujarat-start-as-favorites/

The Impact Index preview of Indian Premier League 2017.