The Best XI of IPL 2016

The IPL 2016 ended with a thriller on the night of the final as Sunrisers Hyderabad became the champions of the Indian Premier League for the first time. The Orange cap went to Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli who ended as the runners-up whereas Bhuvneshwar Kumar of SRH won the Purple Cap. Throughout the tournament, there were some scintillating performances with the bat and the ball. The rookies, the pros and the emerging youngsters were up for the task. Different players stepped up for different teams at different junctures. Here we pick our best XI of this year’s IPL: 1. David Warner – Sunrisers Hyderabad (C): David Warner. (Photo Source: BCCI) The champion captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad was absolutely stupendous throughout the tournament. David Warner was the second highest run-scorer in the tournament with 848 runs which is also the second highest run tally in a single season of IPL, next only to Kohli. He provided SRH with the kickstart in almost every game including the big final. The elegant left-hander scored 9 fifties throughout the IPL at a splendid average of 60.57. 2. Rohit Sharma – Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians celebrates his half century during an IPL match between. (Photo Source: Sandeep Mahankal/IANS) For years now, Rohit Sharma has been amongst the most reliable batsmen in the IPL. While he was not quite at his consistent best, batting first, he was absolutely stupendous while chasing. In 7 innings where MI chased, he had 5 half centuries with a mind-blowing average of 98.5. In addition to that, Mumbai Indians won 4 of those games and lost 1 where he unluckily got run out. Rohit also had an amazing strike rate of close to 140. 3. Virat Kohli – Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) If someone ruled the IPL king size this year, it was Virat Kohli. Also the Orange cap for this season, he scored a staggering 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries during the course of the league. He also set the record with the most number of runs in a single T20 tournament smashing 973 at an astounding average of 81.08. He was also deservingly announced the most valuable player of the tournament for his form with the bat. Though he couldn’t win the trophy for his team and finish it on a high. 4. AB de Villiers (wk) – Royal Challengers Bangalore: AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI) In spite of Kohli’s performance overshadowing everyone, AB de Villiers was another man RCB were dependable on. With an enormous strike rate of 168.79 and close to 700 runs in this season, AB was the third highest run-scorer of the season. He played a gem of a knock in the Qualifier where RCB were reeling at 29/5. He also hit 37 sixes falling just one short of Kohli’s tally. His power hitting skills just bettered as the tournament progressed. But despite all that he blinked in the final and got out cheap soon after Kohli departed and that almost cut out RCB’s chances. 5. Andre Russell – Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders celebrates fall of a wicket during an IPL match. (Photo: IANS) Though he missed out the later stage of the tournament, Andre Russell was a force to reckon with at the lower order for KKR. He was also exceptional in getting early wickets and bowled good lengths. One of most exciting Twenty20 cricketers, Russell set the bar high with some quick-fire knocks and then applied the brakes on the opposition’s run flow while bowling. With close to 200 runs and 15 wickets, Russell would be a fine prospect at no.5 in the IPL XI. 6. Yusuf Pathan – Kolkata Knight Riders: Yusuf Pathan of Kolkata Knight Riders celebrates his half century during an IPL match. (Photo Source: IANS) Regarded as one of the hard hitters, Yusuf Pathan was amongst the top 3 run getters for KKR this season. With a brilliant strike rate of 145.56 in the tournament, Yusuf displayed his vintage form and helped KKR finish successfully in more than a couple of matches. He played fearlessly with a lot of maturity, and didn’t not curb his natural attacking instinct; backing his ability to clearing the fence helped the elder Pathan do consistently well right through the IPL. 7. Krunal Pandya – Mumbai Indians: Krunal Pandya. (Photo Source: BCCI) If last year’s IPL was Hardik Pandya’s time to burst into the limelight, it was the elder brother’s turn to show his potential this time. Having scored 237 runs at a magnanimous strike rate of 191.12, he played brilliant cameos for MI scoring runs at an exaggerating pace. Krunal also played an electrifying knock of 86 off 37 balls against DD. On the other hand, he picked up 6 wickets along with being quite economical. He was probably the find of this year’s IPL. 8. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar – Sunrisers Hyderabad: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source: BCCI) The promising bowler found back his rhythm in the IPL after a patchy season for India. Bowling alongside, Mustafizur Rahman and Ashish Nehra, he outclassed both of them with some brilliant bowling performances especially at the death. Also the Purple cap of this season, Bhuvanesh Kumar picked 23 wickets at an excellent average of 20.21 with an economy of 7.5. Swinging the ball both ways, he made the batsmen scurrying for runs throughout the tournament. 9. Mustafizur Rahman – Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mustafizur Rahman (Photo Source: BCCI) The wonder kid from Bangladesh took 17 wickets throughout the tournament as he gave the best batsmen a run for their money. With his brilliance with the ball, the left-arm pacer impressed many with his heroics. Mustafizur made life difficult for the batsmen with the new ball and again at the death with his bowling variations. He was awarded the emerging player of the season. 10. Yuzvendra Chahal – Royal Challengers Bangalore: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) The lanky leg-spinner of the Royal Challengers Bangalore played the lone hand in the spin department. Yuzvendra Chahal was the only spinner among the top 10 wicket-takers of the tournament which showed a lot about the failure of spinners this season. Picking 21 wickets at an average of 19.09, he turned the tables for RCB, whenever Kohli entrusted the responsibility upon him. He was also awarded with a place in the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe tour for his superb performances. 11. Dhawal Kulkarni – Gujarat Lions: Dhawal Kulkarni. (Photo Source: BCCI) Emerging among the top bowlers this season, Dhawal Kulkarni bowled some really good lengths along with seam movements. He was the leading wicket-taker for table toppers Gujarat Lions. With 18 wickets that too at an economy of just 7.42, Kulkarni rose to the occasion every time his captain needed early wickets as he took 14 out of those wickets during the powerplay. His 4/14 wrecked RCB’s top order in the first qualifier. 12th Man- Chris Morris – Delhi Daredevils: Chris Morris. (Photo Source: BCCI) Fetching 7 crores at the auction, Chris Morris emerged to prove it with some valuable all round performances throughout the tournament. With an unbelievable strike rate of 178.89, he set the stage on fire almost every time he got an opportunity. Morris slammed the best of 82 (32)* balls which DD went on to lose unfortunately by just one run. Morris kept bowling with confidence and picked up wickets whenever the team was looking for a breakthrough.

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