IPL 2018 Best Playing XI: Check Out Our Greatest IPL Team From Players Across The Franchises in 11th Edition of the Indian Premier League
Talking about the playing XI, you can very well let us know your best XI in the comments section below. Come Saturday, the bugles will be blown and the mini-battles between the ‘Best vs Best’ begin.
Indian Premier League (IPL), Season 11, is only a few days away and the excitement among the fans has sky-rocketed. This year will mark the return of two franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) after serving their two-year ban.
Talking about bans, Australia captain and Vice-captain, Steve Smith and David Warner were banned to participate in the 2018 IPL. The tournament opener will be played this Saturday and the Final is scheduled to be played on May 27.
It is heartening to see players from different countries and cultures train, practice, and play together in the IPL. In the build-up of the T20 league, the IPL teams have been sharing a lot of behind-the-scenes, TV commercials, and dressing rooms videos of players on their social media, in order to consolidate and engage with their fan base.
A lot of players have consistently performed stupendously in the IPL over the years. Players who haven’t had been able to perform for their national teams have surprisingly done wonders for their IPL teams. However, with all said and done, as IPL 2018 nears, we have carved out the best playing XI that this IPL edition could offer.
Note: The players in the team are selected on their current form and not just past facts and figures. Also, as per the IPL rule, only a maximum of four foreign players are selected in the side.
1. Rohit Sharma, Opener, Mumbai Indians
One of the highest scorers in the IPL, Rohit Sharma has performed consistently in the IPL over the years. The two-time IPL winning captain slots perfectly for the role of an opener, given the fact that some of his best innings have come at the opening slot!
2. Brendon McCullum, Opener, Royal Challengers Bangalore
The flamboyant Kiwi batsman has blown hot and cold in the IPL, after his scintillating innings of 158 runs in the inaugural edition. However, the Kiwi batsman was seen in his old-fashioned badass style in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League. Both Sharma and McCullum complement each other batting styles too.
Other players in the contention of the opening slots were Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Chris Gayle.
3. Suresh Raina, Middle Order, Chennai Super Kings
Well, no player has performed as consistently in the IPL tournament history as much as Suresh Raina has. One can simply not form an IPL team without his presence in the side; such has been his aura in this format of the game! A live-wire on the field, Raina is also habitual to deliver breakthroughs at crucial junctures with his right-arm off-spin.
4. Virat Kohli, Middle Order, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Virat Kohli is in sublime form, no doubt! Kolhi had dismal outings in the IPL previous year, however, the RCB captain had amassed 973 runs at an average of 81 in the 2016 IPL edition. Kohli is known to take the game away from the opposition in no time. His presence in the middle-order would provide the much-needed stability in the team.
5. AB de Villiers, Middle Order, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Popularly known as Mr. 360, AB de Villiers has carved out a cult status for himself in India. De Villiers is a household name and has a huge fan base in the country. His batting prowess and ability to score runs in any nook or corner of the ground is simply amazing. Also, his fielding abilities are second to none; not many players are as agile as he is on the field.
Other players in contention for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th spots were Chris Lynn, Ajinkya Rahane, Aaron Finch, Manish Pandey and Glenn Maxwell.
6. MS Dhoni, Wicket-Keeper, Captain, Chennai Super Kings
It has to be ‘Thalaivaa’ hands down! After all the madness and frenzy of the middle-order batsmen would then see the calmness of MS Dhoni taking centre-stage. His wicket-keeping abilities are currently the best in the world. Also, Dhoni would be the unanimous choice for the role of captain in the team. Well, a lot can be said about him, but the lesser said the better, as he likes to silence his critics with his orthodox hitting!
Other players in the contention were Dinesh Karthik, Wriddhiman Saha, and Parthiv Patel.
7. Andre Russell, All-Rounder, Kolkata Knight Riders
Andre Russell can bowl fast, score boundaries and hit runs at his will. Russell can start destroying bowling attacks from the very first ball, as he takes less time to settle. Very few players in the world have capabilities like that. The West Indian all-rounder is a good finisher too. He can very well tail-along with the bowlers if and when the need arises.
Other players in the contention were Kieron Pollard, Shakib Al Hasan, Dwayne Bravo, Benjamin Stokes, and Marcus Stoinis.
8. Kuldeep Yadav, Spin Bowler, Kolkata Knight Riders
The wrist-spinner has wreaked havoc on the opposition teams for over a year now. His performances, along with Yuzvendra Chahal, in the blue jersey have been phenomenal of late. Yadav has performed so impeccably in recent times, that R Ashwin and R Jadeja are on the sidelines and no one seems to have noticed about them. Yadav would love to bamboozle batsmen in IPL, this year, too!
9. Amit Mishra, Spin Bowler, Delhi Daredevils
The workhorse of the bowling attack, Amit Mishra hasn't got the acknowledgement and praise that he rightfully deserves. The bowler with the most hat-tricks against his name, Amit Mishra has performed marvellously in all the previous editions of the IPL. A crafty leg-spinner, Mishra would love to continue his astounding form in this year's IPL.
Other players in the contention for 8th and 9th slots were Sunil Narine, R Ashwin, and Rashid Khan.
10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fast Bowler, Sun Risers Hyderabad
No fast-bowler in the world has improved as much as Bhuvneshwar Kumar has in the past couple of years. His perfect line and economical bowling saw him earn the Purple cap in IPL 2017. A handy lower-order batsman, Bhuvneshwar Kumar can land a few lusty blows at the end of the innings too, if there’s a need for it.
11. Trent Boult, Fast Bowler, Delhi Daredevils
The express left-hand bowler, Trent Boult would certainly love to extend his international form to IPL this year. The Kiwi quick hasn’t had a much impressive IPL record so far, but would surely want to resurrect his record this year. Also, since Boult is a left-hander, it would add another dimension to the attack – much to Dhoni’s liking.
Other players in the contention were Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada, and Pat Cummins.
12. Hardik Pandya, All-rounder, Mumbai Indians
One of the most exciting players in recent times, Hardik Pandya has the ability to clear boundary ropes at his will. The only reason he is the 12th man is his inclusion in the squad would have made it a pace-heavy attack. However, he can very well be swapped with Kuldeep Yadav if the conditions and nature of the track demands.
The T20 tournament completed its 10-year history successfully last year. It will be interesting to see what new does this 11th edition of IPL has to offer. Come Saturday, the bugles will be blown and the mini-battles between the ‘Best vs Best’ begin.
In the first match of IPL 2018, Chennai Super Kings will play against Mumbai Indians at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on April 7. Talking about the playing XI, you can very well let us know your best XI in the comments section below.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2018 11:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).