Indian Premier League is without a doubt the biggest T20 league in the world. Players from all over the world, over the years, have entertained everyone by their nerve-wracking performances. From the first day of the tournament in 2008 when Brendon McCullum struck an unbeaten 158 to the last season, cricketers have entertained to the fullest. In this article, we will take a look at the best IPL XI of all-time.
The cash-rich league has witnessed some of the greatest cricketers of the current generation. From MS Dhoni to Virat Kohli to Chris Gayle, to Lasith Malinga – all of them have given exceptional performances over the last 12 years. The tournament has also seen some of the most intense rivalries as well as finishes of the highest order, capable of sending a chill down the spine.
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Since the IPL season of 2020 is postponed it is a great time to reflect on some of the great players in IPL history. Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to postpone the tournament for an indefinite period in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which was scheduled to commence from March 29.
Honestly speaking, it is an extremely difficult job to bring down a pool of immensely talented and legendary cricketers to an XI. However, among all the greats, there are some who have left an impression which will remain until the game stays.
We at Cricfit will take a look at best IPL XI of all-time:
David Warner
The Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner has played an instrumental role in his side’s success. Over the years, Warner has played some destructive knocks. He has so far scored 4,706 runs at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 142.4. The Australian has also scored four tons and is the most consistent IPL opener of all time.
The Australian’s ability to change the game in a fraction of a second makes him an obvious choice in the best IPL XI of all time.
Chris Gayle
When we talk about IPL or T20 cricket Chris Gayle’s name always comes to mind first. The legendary batsman has lit stadiums all over India with his incredible hitting. Once set, Gayle activates his ‘beast mode’ and scores runs for fun. His numbers are staggering as he has scored 4484 IPL runs at a strike rate of 151.
Chris Gayle also has the most IPL tons with 6 and including him in the side is a no brainer.
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Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli will walk in at 3 even though he has enjoyed success opening the batting. The leading run-scorer in IPL history is never far away from scoring runs. He enjoyed a memorable 2016 season where he slammed a record-breaking 973 including four swashbuckling centuries.
He can accelerate at any point and has run chases for dinner which makes him a major threat for the opposition. Overall he has 5412 runs at a strike rate of 131.6 and five tons.
Suresh Raina
The most consistent player of the most consistent team in IPL history- Suresh Raina will come out to bat at No. 4. The southpaw has rarely missed out on scoring runs ever since the competition begins. His record is remarkable and is one major reason why Chennai Super Kings have always made the playoffs.
5363 IPL runs at a strike rate of 137 makes him an automatic choice to bat in the middle order.
Rohit Sharma (C):
Coming in next is the most successful IPL captain of all time and an elegant run-machine, Rohit Sharma. Rohit has changed the fortunes of Mumbai Indians completely and made them a powerhouse in IPL. Four wins as captain and 4898 run as batsman shows that he likes the challenge of captaincy and delivers time and time again.
Although, the Mumbai batsman likes to open the innings, but Rohit has time and again demoted himself in the batting order for greater goods of the team. Rohit is also the skipper of the side solely based on the number of titles he has under his belt.
AB de Villiers
Well, he has to be there, doesn’t he? Mr. 360 AB de Villiers is the next player. Doesn’t matter where the opposition places the fielder ABD in IPL history have always smashed it out of the ground. His freakish stroke play has bamboozled every cricket fan all around the world.
Sometimes even the opposition is in awe of his ability to hit the delivers at every corner of the ground. 4395 runs at a strike rate of 151 and 3 IPL tons makes him an all-time great T20 player.
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MS Dhoni (wk):
MS Dhoni not only wins matches with the bat in hand but also from behind the stumps. Perhaps the greatest finisher of all time Dhoni has won numerous matches in the last over for CSK. 3 times he has led CSK to glory in the 12 seasons of IPL so far.
The legendary cricketer from Jharkhand has 4432 runs at a strike rate of 138 and an average of 42.2. Plus watching Dhoni and AB bat in tandem would be something that every fan would want to witness. The 38-year-old also brings leadership skills to the table which makes him a lethal component in any teams across the world.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar has been an underrated performer in IPL history. The seamer over the years has not only picked wickets upfront but has all execute yorkers to perfection in the death overs. A handy customer with the bat, Bhuvneshwar can also swing his bat well if needed.
He has 133 wickets to his name in IPL at a terrific economy rate of 7.24 and to go with that he also has a fifer in IPL and finished as the highest wicket-taker in 2016 and 2017. His ability to keep things tight will earn him a place in the IPL XI of all time.
Amit Mishra
Leg spinners are invariably a vital cog in a T20 side. Amit Mishra with three IPL hattricks will be the spinner in the side. The leg-spinner over the years in IPL has outfoxed major batsman with his subtle variations. Not many people realised but Mishra has 157 wickets at an economy of just 7.3 in his IPL history.
The veteran cricketer is a real match-winner and can turn the tables from dying situations. Although he struggled to live up to the expectations in international cricket, Mishra has been a force to reckon with in domestic circuit.
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Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is undoubtedly the greatest bowler in IPL history. Even after having such a long career, the legendary fast bowler from Sri Lanka is still able to keep the batsman in check and get them out. The highest wicket-taker in the history of the competition; the Sri Lankan has been the crown in the jewel of MI over the years.
He has scalped 170 wickets in IPL at an economy of just 7.14. These numbers become even greater when you think he generally bowls in the powerplay and death overs and will walk into the IPL XI of all-time even with eyes closed.
Jasprit Bumrah
When he picked Virat Kohli as his maiden wicket; the world knew Jasprit Bumrah is destined to become a great bowler. Since his inclusion in Mumbai Indians, the fast bowler has never looked back. Whenever Rohit Sharma has thrown the ball to his strike bowler he has always delivered.
The 26-year-old in 77 matches has taken 82 wickets at an economy of 7.56. Jasprit Bumrah has to be in the side for his ability to change the course of the match very quickly. He along with Lasith Malinga can terrorise any batting unit across the globe.
All-time IPL XI: David Warner, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma ©, AB de Villiers, M.S Dhoni (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.