The best IPL XI of all time
Since its inception back in 2008, the IPL has seen the best players in the world participate in this extravaganza. It is a tough job of selecting the top eleven players from this huge list oozing with talent. However, considering their impact on the IPL as well as their stature in the international level, I selected the following team as the best IPL XI so far. The serial numbers indicated for each player corresponds to his position in the batting line-up.
1) Matthew Hayden:
The Australian opener can be ranked as the best in the world in all three formats according to me. His brilliant technique coupled with enormous power made him a bowler’s nightmare. The Chennai Super Kings used to rely heavily on him to give them a good start, which he did consistently. He is certainly one player whom the Super Kings have not been able to replace after he retired from all forms of cricket two years ago.
2) Christopher Gayle:
Without any doubt, he is the player who has had the highest impact than anyone else on the IPL. His ability to send any ball flying outside the park with his sweet timing and enormous power certainly makes him the most deserving player for the opener’s spot. He is one of those few players who can shoot up his team’s run rate as well as the bowler’s economy rate at the blink of an eye. No one can forget the over in which he struck 5 sixes off Rahul Sharma in the M Chinnaswamy stadium, turning the match around in RCB’s favour in a matter of minutes. He can also provide useful contributions with the ball.
3) Adam Gilchrist (WK):
He is the best wicket-keeper batsman who has played in the IPL so far, according to me. His scintillating and aggressive batting style helped Deccan Chargers – the team which he led – to win the IPL title in 2009. He also held the record for hitting maximum sixes in the IPL (86 currently) for almost 4 years, until it was broken in the previous season by Chris Gayle. The best innings he has played is his knock of 106 at Dharamshala in which he tormented the RCB bowling with his fantastic stroke play. His wicket-keeping abilities too need no introduction, as he is arguably the best wicket-keeper in the world (Mark Boucher comes close).
4) Gautam Gambhir:
He is that sort of a batsman who has this tremendous ability to be versatile. He can anchor the innings in case of an early top-order collapse, or score some quick runs and increase the run rate if a strong foundation is already built. The ability to adjust himself to any situation makes him ideal for the number 4 position, which is the most critical position for any batting order. Currently third in the highest run-getter list, he scored heavily in almost all the matches of the previous edition and led his team to a memorable title win.
5) Suresh Raina:
Suresh Raina has proved that he is one player who can deliver in the big matches. His stupendous ability to score effective cameos with the bat during the death overs certainly makes him fit for the number 5 position. Also, he is much attributed to provide useful breakthroughs with the ball, which makes him a very useful all-rounder to have in the team. He is one of the most consistent players in the IPL and is the highest run-scorer of the tournament. Known for his trademark six over the mid wicket region, Suresh Raina currently stands second in the most sixes (96) list with only Chris Gayle above him. In addition to all these qualities, his brilliant fielding abilities can make him the most valuable player any T20 side can have.
6) Shane Watson (VC):
Being one of the best all-rounders in the game, Shane Watson came into the limelight due to his performance in the Indian Premier League. Although I was a little confused between Keiron Pollard and him for filling in this spot, I had to choose Watson solely because he has the edge over the West Indian monster in terms of playing crucial roles both with bat and ball. He is a wonderful seam bowler and has the ability to bowl with a lot of variations, and the captain can entrust the fifth bowler’s responsibility upon his shoulders. In addition to this, he can adjust well to any kind of conditions and play the big shots and score some quick runs when needed. He was the player of the tournament in the inaugural series, and played a key role in helping the Rajasthan Royals win the first IPL.
7) Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C):
Dhoni is definitely the best captain the IPL has seen. He is one of those players who has an excellent cricket acumen, and can understand the conditions very well. Being an excellent spotter of talent, he identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each player in his team and uses them accordingly. This tremendous capability in him to marshal his troops by motivating his youngsters and getting the best out of them is lauded all over the world. Coming to his batting, he is one player whom you can trust to finish your game for you. When it is down to the wire with tensions soaring high, he has always emerged with positive results for his team. The best among such examples is in the 2010 IPL, when CSK needed 16 of the last over to qualify for the semis. He finished the match off within the first four balls, and Chennai Super Kings later went on to win their maiden title.
8) Ravichandran Ashwin:
He is certainly among the most effective spinners in the IPL. The variations he can provide makes him a very dangerous bowler to tackle in sub-continental conditions. Although not among the highest wicket takers of the IPL, he has always provided CSK with important breakthroughs whenever his captain has entrusted him to do so. Also, one more striking feature about his IPL record is the economy rate (6.21) he has maintained. His ability to bat well too can accrue to the advantages he provides for his team.
9) Shane Warne:
The abilities of Shane Warne coupled with that of R Ashwin are bound to make the duo a very lethal weapon for any team. Shane Warne is one bowler who has the tremendous capability of turning the cricket ball sharply, probably even on a mosaic floor. The pace at which he turns the ball induces doubt and uncertainty in the minds of even great batsmen. He also used his arm ball occasionally to great effect, which has helped him greatly in getting LBW dismissals. Truly an asset for any team in any format, especially T20s.
10) Lasith Malinga:
He is one of those players who can be included in this squad with no second thoughts whatsoever. The most lauded fact about Malinga is his ability to shoot in those vicious yorkers at will. This special talent of his, which is surely not adventitious, makes him the most dangerous bowler to face in T20 cricket. One more special strength of this bowler, which gets shadowed by his yorkers, is his short-pitch bowling. He has the capability to surprise a batsman suddenly with a slow bouncer when he is expecting a yorker, and vice versa. His everlasting effect on the IPL every year can be reflected in the fact that he is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament till date, with 83 wickets under his belt.
11) Sohail Tanveer:
Although the Pakistani did not feature in any season other than the first one, he showcased more than enough of his talent in the first edition itself. His unorthodox action, coupled with the capability of swinging the cricket ball both ways at will, makes him one of the toughest bowlers to face. He was the leading wicket-taker in the first edition and played a key role in Rajasthan Royal’s famous maiden title victory. In addition to this, he can also slog a few shots towards the end of the innings, which makes him a very handy player .
The above team was chosen by me based on their impact on the IPL and also their stature in international cricket. Several people who can come very close to the people mentioned include Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Albie Morkel and so on. All these players too have contributed greatly to this T20 carnival and have entertained the crowds.