Performing Under Difficulty: The Magical Pressure Index

Abstract

This chapter introduces an interesting concept of measuring performance of cricketers considering the match situation under which the player performed. The difficulty level, under which the team is performing, is quantified introducing a measure called as the pressure index in the chapter. The pressure index is an inclusive measure that can be utilized to measure batting performance both individually and between partners, bowling performance, determining turning point of the match, comparing run chases and predicting the outcome of the match. Considering the huge area of applicability of the index, we call it magical. The pressure index also opens up several another area of research for people interested in sports analytics. The concept of pressure index can be extended to other sports as well. We believe that the pressure index has in its store several other hidden dimensions which are left for the readers to explore.