An IPL XI that could take on the World T20 champions Windies
The defending champions Windies will take on a World XI side at the Lords Cricket ground, in a bid to raise funds for the destruction caused back in the Caribbean due to the devastating hurricane Irma and Maria.
The match is scheduled to be played on May 31st, 2018, days after the IPL final. In this blog, let us extend this concept a bit further and form an all-time IPL XI that could take on the defending champions Windies.
Let's have a look at how the IPL XI would pan out against the belligerent Windies:
Openers:
#1 David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Opening the innings is the Australian vice-captain and current Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner. Ever since his debut in 2009, Warner has been of the consistent performers in the IPL.
One of the most successful openers in the IPL, Warner's explosiveness can be an asset to any team. The past two seasons have seen Warner at the peak of his powers, accumulating 510 and 479 runs respectively
Career Stats: Matches: 114 Innings: 114 Runs: 4014 Avg: 40.55 50s/100s: 36/3 S/R: 142.1
#2 Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Accompanying Warner is the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli.
While Kohli is primarily a middle-order batsman, he has been frequently opening in the IPL for the RCB alongside Chris Gayle.
Kohli slammed his maiden IPL century as an opener in IPL 2016, the season where he proceeded to score 973 runs in 16 innings.
The right and the left combination of Warner and Kohli would be an ideal mix of aggression and swift running between the wickets that will set a tone for the shenanigans of the middle order to take over.
Career Stats: Matches: 149 Innings: 141 Runs: 4418 Avg: 37.44 50s/100s: 30/4 S/R: 129.83