IPL 6: The Eliminated XI - The best who missed the play-offs

As the 6th season of IPL has come to a close, we reflect upon the performances and the performers. While CSK, MI, RR and SRH qualified for the play-offs, there were incredible performances from players of other teams too which were eliminated. Here’s an XI which features the best from the eliminated teams.

In all honesty, this is the toughest thing I’ve had to write. It doesn’t become easier with the four foreigner rule still in place. I call it the toughest thing to write because choosing the final XI from the eliminated teams limits the choices for captain, wicket-keeper, strike bowlers and so on. Still, I’ve tried my best in forming a combination which might give others a run for their money. Here are my chosen ‘Eleven Warriors’:

Opening Batsmen: Chris Gayle (RCB) & Gautam Gambhir (KKR)

I cannot imagine any T20 team not having the big Jamaican in its line-up. Even though he may start slow against quality spin bowling (he did struggle a bit against R Ashwin), he becomes dangerous when he gets into his groove. The scintillating 175 he hammered against the Pune Warriors just proves his ability to hit the big shots at will.

Partnering him at the top will be KKR skipper and India discard Gautam Gambhir. Generally, teams prefer to have a left-right combination at the top, but I figure a left-left combination might give opposition bowlers a bit more trouble with their line and length, considering the majority of right-handed bowlers in the league. Gambhir has shown signs of returning to form despite having a mediocre IPL this year. He can both graft and attack, depending on the situation, and can hold the innings together in trying circumstances.

No.3 Batsman – Virat Kohli (RCB, captain)

I could honestly think of no other player better suited for the crucial No. 3 slot. Virat has undergone a remarkable change since his IPL debut in 2008 as a brash young man. With a calm, rational head on his shoulders (except at times when he lets the heat of the moment get to him), Kohli has led the RCB franchise extremely well in the 2013 season despite getting into a fracas with KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir.

Energetic, a fast runner between the wickets and blessed with the ability to play according to the situation, Kohli is ideal to bat at No.3 and captain my side to victory. Gambhir has had more experience with captaincy, but since his approach has been quite jaded in this IPL, Kohli gets the job. It will be interesting to see how they play together after that ugly spat – however, as senior player, Gambhir’s tips will be useful to his younger state mate.

Middle Order Batsmen – AB de Villiers (RCB) & David Miller (KXIP)

The South African duo have impressed a lot during this edition of the IPL. While AB has been scoring rapidly at will, young Miller has also shown the temperament to take calculated risks and open up at just the right time. The 23-year-old southpaw’s magnificent hundred against RCB clearly shows that he is built for Twenty20.

AB de Villiers, on the other hand, is also an effective improviser, and sometimes unorthodox strokes can result in lots of runs. They are just the kind of players I need to hold the middle order together.

Wicket-Keeper: Robin Uthappa (PWI)

My perennial favourite player, Robbie makes the cut on the strength of being a much better batsman in terms of runs scored than the other contenders for the slot. The time he has spent out of the national side has done much to change him into a better player, though his dalliance with inconsistency continues. Uthappa is one of the cleanest hitters of the ball and is also very quick between the wickets, turning over the strike when boundaries are hard to come by. Behind the stumps, he has displayed an amazing level of alertness and athleticism – making him the ideal choice for both wicket-keeper and the No.6 slot.

All-Rounders: Rajat Bhatia (KKR) and Irfan Pathan (DD)

Delhi veteran Rajat Bhatia has been another bright spot for the former IPL champions KKR. His military medium-pace, coupled with his slow off-cutters and stump-to-stump bowling, makes him a good bet during the middle overs. Bhatia is also a handy batsman down the order as evidenced by the little cameos he played for KKR this year.

Irfan, on the other hand, has regained his swing and pace, and is also a powerful striker of the cricket ball. He will pair up well with Bhatia, and can also share the new ball.

Bowlers: Praveen Kumar (KXIP), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (PWI) and Sunil Narine (KKR)

Going in with a lone spinner can be a big gamble at times. I picked West Indian Sunil Narine because he can prove to be more than a handful for the opposition batsmen.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has impressed all and sundry with his immaculate in-swingers, and will be an ideal partner for the experienced Praveen Kumar.

Like Irfan, both Praveen and Bhuvi can use the long handle to good effect, and since I want my tail-end batsmen to contribute a few runs too, they are good choices.

DISCLAIMER: The selection of the eliminated XI reflects writer’s own choice and not that of the site.