Best all-Indian playing XI of IPL 2024 ft. Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy
Kolkata Knight Riders thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the IPL 2024 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26. With the win, KKR lifted the IPL trophy for the third time, having also won the title in 2012 and 2014.
Asked to bowl first, Kolkata came up with a superb bowling performance to knock over Hyderabad for 113 in 18.3 overs. Mitchell Starc was outstanding with figures of 2-14, while Andre Russell claimed 3-19 and Harshit Rana 2-24. In their chase, KKR cruised home in 10.3 overs as Venkatesh Iyer clubbed 52* off 26.
While many overseas stars came up with excellent performances in IPL 2024, there was plenty of brilliance on show from Indian players as well. With IPL 2024 coming to an end, we pick the best all-India playing XI for the tournament.
Openers: Virat Kohli, Abhishek Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli and Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma would form a dynamic opening combination in the all-India XI for IPL 2024.
Kohli had an exceptional season for RCB, finishing as the leading run-getter. He slammed 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70, with one hundred and five fifties.
Abhishek has been around the IPL for a few seasons, but 2024 could well be his watershed year.
The left-hander was destructive with the willow, clobbering 484 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 204.22. Abhishek formed a lethal opening combination with Travis Head. On days when they got going, the duo were literally unstoppable.
Middle order: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Suryakumar Yadav
Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson had a terrific IPL 2024 campaign, displaying amazing consistency with the willow. In 15 innings, he slammed 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.47. Samson crossed the half-century mark five times.
Venkatesh was the unsung hero of KKR's IPL 2024 triumph. He came in during some tough situations and rescued the team with some superb counter-attacking strokes.
The left-hander ended IPL 2024 with 370 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.790, with four half-centuries. His contribution to the side went way beyond numbers, as he made a genuine impact.
Rajat Patidar performed a similar role to Venkatesh for RCB. After a poor start, he lifted himself commendably and, along with Kohli, was instrumental in winning a number of games for his franchise in the second half. Patidar hammered 395 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 177.13, with five half-centuries.
Suryakumar Yadav missed Mumbai Indians' initial few matches in IPL 2024, as he was recuperating from injury. However, once he found his groove, it didn't take the 360-degree batter too long to return to his dangerous best. Suryakumar clubbed 345 runs in 11 innings at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 167.47, with one hundred and three half-centuries.
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav
Punjab Kings' Harshal Patel finished as the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024. He played 14 matches and claimed 24 wickets at an average of 19.87 and an economy rate of 9.73. The right-arm pacer produced some lethal slow yorkers at the death to bamboozle some big names, including MS Dhoni.
MI's Jasprit Bumrah and KKR's Harshit Rana would be the other pacers in the best XI for IPL 2024. Even as Mumbai struggled as a franchise, Bumrah stood out again, claiming 20 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 16.80 and an exceptional economy rate of 6.48. Bumrah's numbers also include a five-fer.
Rana was a revelation for Kolkata, and provided great support to Starc. He picked up 19 scalps in 13 matches at an average of 20.15 and an economy rate of 9.08. The fast bowler went for a few runs but proved to be a genuine wicket-taker and played a significant role in KKR's triumph.
Like Harsit, leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy also played a huge part in Kolkata's IPL 2024 triumph. He was the second-leading wicket-taker in the competition, with 21 scalps in 15 matches at an average of 19.14 and an economy rate of 8.04. In combination with Sunil Narine, he throttled oppositions.
Delhi Capitals' seasoned left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav would be Chakravarthy’s slow bowling partner in the combined India XI. While DC failed to make the playoffs, Kuldeep made an impact, claiming 16 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 23.25 and an economy rate of 8.65.
Impact Player: Axar Patel
DC all-rounder and vice-captain Axar Patel would be the Impact Player in the best Indian IPL 2024 XI. He contributed 235 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 131.28, with two half-centuries. With his left-arm spin, he chipped in with 11 scalps at an economy rate of 7.65.