Combined best XI of IPL 2021 and PSL 2021

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is arguably the biggest T20 league in the world. However, over the last few years, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has emerged as a dynamic league as well. Despite the first season taking place as recently as 2016, it has significantly grown as a tournament.

Owing to the India-Pakistan rivalry, the fans of both the cricketing nations keep having healthy, as well as unhealthy debates across various social media platforms. However, the fact that both the leagues are good in their respective ways remains constant.

Irrespective of the standards of both the T20 tournaments, if one were to make a combined XI of one particular season of both, IPL, as well as PSL, then it would go on to be a potent XI that could beat the best of best sides.

Such a team could feature seven players from India and Pakistan, as well as four overseas stars. Thus, which are the players who would feature in a combined XI of the fourteenth edition of the IPL and the sixth edition of the PSL?

In the article, we shall be taking a look at the combined XI of IPL 2021 and PSL 2021:

1) KL Rahul (C and WK)

Over the years, KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent players in the Indian T20 league. Moreover, since 2018, he has been scoring runs for fun. However, it would be safe to say that he carried his franchise, i.e. the Punjab Kings, in the fourteenth edition of the league.

The 29-year-old was third on the list of the most number of runs scored in IPL 2021. He scored as many as 626 runs in 13 innings, at an average of 62.60. This included six fifties too.

Another important point to be noted is the fact that despite playing the role of an anchor, his strike rate was 138.80, which is superb in the shortest format of the game. Moreover, he was decent with the gloves too. Last but not the least, taking his unbalanced team into account, his captaincy was impressive as well.

2) Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is considered the next big thing in Indian cricket by several cricket pundits. The opener was one of the major reasons why the Chennai Super Kings went on to win the title this year. Moreover, he showed great signs of temperament despite being inexperienced.

He went on to win the Orange Cap in the latest edition of the IPL too. In the first game of the second phase of IPL 2021, he scored an unbeaten 88, despite his team being 24-4 at one stage at the game. Thus, this knock spoke volumes about his potential.

This wasn’t it as the 24-year-old went on to score an unbeaten 101 against the Rajasthan Royals as well. Speaking about his overall numbers of the season, the Maharashtra batter scored 635 runs, in just the 16 games at an average of 43.35.

3) Babar Azam

Babar Azam would find himself in almost every list pertaining to top-class cricketers. The run machine was the leading run-scorer of PSL 2021 as well. As a matter of fact, he was one of the major reasons why the Karachi Kings even made it to the top four in the first place.

In 11 games, the Pakistan captain scored 554 runs, with the highest being an unbeaten 90. His average and strike rate were 69.25 and 132.53 respectively. This also included seven fifties.

However, despite all his efforts, his side went on to lose to Peshawar Zalmi in the first Eliminator and thus, got knocked out of the tournament. This was despite him scoring a valiant half-century in the same game.

4) Sohaib Maqsood

Sohaib Maqsood was sensational in the latest edition of the PSL. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that he was the main reason why the Multan Sultans went on to win the title. The right-handed batter was not only the Player of the Match in the final, but was also the Player of the Series.

The 34-year-old scored an unbeaten 65 from just 35 deliveries, which propelled the Mohammad Rizwan-led side to 206 in the final. This knock included six boundaries and three sixes respectively. Speaking about his overall numbers of PSL 2021, he scored 428 runs in 12 innings, and was the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament.

Despite having an average of 47.55, it is his strike rate that made him the MVP of the tournament. His strike rate was a whopping 156.77. Last but not the least, he had scored 39 boundaries and 22 sixes in the tournament.

5) Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell went from becoming a laughing stock in IPL 2020, to becoming a hero in IPL 2021. The all-rounder lived up to the expectations of the RCB fans, and kept on scoring runs throughout the tournament.

He was the Mr Consistent of the Bangalore-based franchise and contrary to his reputation, performed under pressure as well. The fact that he scored them at a healthy strike rate makes his impact much higher. He was the fifth-highest run-scorer IPL 2021, and scored 513 runs in 14 innings.

His average and strike rate were 42.75 and 144.10 respectively and this included six fifties as well. He was not only hitting the pacers, but got the better of several spinners as well.

6) Sherfane Rutherford

Caribbean all-rounders and lighting up T20 leagues? Still a better love story than Titanic. Sherfane Rutherford was a complete package in the sixth edition of the PSL. It is safe to say that he was one of the most explosive players of the tournament.

Despite batting at 6, the all-rounder was able to score runs regularly. He was one of the significant contributors for Peshawar Zalmi throughout the tournament. The 23-year-old scored 276 runs in just 12 innings, at an average of 34.50.

This included a jaw-dropping strike rate of 153.33 and thus, he played the role of a finisher to perfection. If the ferocious hitter can continue playing like this, he could definitely fetch big bucks in the upcoming IPL 2022 mega auction.

7) James Faulkner

Although he hasn’t been at his best for the last few years, James Faulkner was a force to reckon with in the recently-concluded PSL season. The all-rounder proved one and all that he still has it in him to win matches. The fact that he finds himself in this XI, despite playing just six games in PSL 2021 shows how impactful he truly was.

The Aussie was fourth on the list of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament. He finished PSL 2021 with 13 wickets at an average of 12.00. The 31-year-old had a superb economy rate of 6.50 as well.

Moreover, the Tasmanian had a strike rate of 11.0 as well. However, despite his amazing performances, the Lahore Qalandars weren’t able to make it to the playoffs. Not only did they finish fifth on the points table, but also lost their last game rather horribly by 80 runs.

8) Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is one of the few players who makes this XI on the back of both, the IPL, as well as the PSL. The Afghan sensation was superb for both, the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian T20 league, as well as for the Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan’s T20 league.

The bowling all-rounder picked 11 wickets in eight games in the sixth edition of the PSL. While his average was 15.90, his strike rate was 17.4. This includes a fifer as well.

Now coming to his performance for the Orange Army in 2021, the leggie picked 18 wickets in 14 games at an average of 20.83. He had a miserly economy rate of 6.69 as well. It’s an absolute pity that both his sides weren’t at their best in 2021.

9) Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel was the star of IPL 2021. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that his performance in the latest IPL season was one of the greatest performances in IPL history. There is a reason why he went on to win the MVP of the tournament award.

The pacer picked 32 wickets in IPL 2021, which happens to be the joint-most number of wickets picked by a bowler in a single edition. Fifer, hat trick, he had it all this season. His bowling average and strike rate were 14.34 and 10.5 respectively.

Despite bowling most of his overs at the death, his economy rate was 8.14, which is considered decent in the shortest format of the game. He went in to win the Purple Cap too. Thus, this led to him making his international debut as well.

10) Shahnawaz Dahani

Dahani was one of the best performers of PSL 2021. As a matter of fact, he was the highest wicket-taker of the season as well. The pacer is considered the next big thing in Pakistan cricket too.

The Multan Sultans pacer picked 20 wickets in just 11 games. His bowling average was as low as 17.00. With an economy rate of less than 8.50 (8.47), he didn’t give too many runs as well.

Last but not the least, he managed to pick two four-fers in the tournament. His fabulous performance in the latest edition of the PSL saw him make his international debut against Bangladesh. With the kind of ability he showed, it wouldn’t be surprising if he goes on to seal his place in the Pakistan team.

11) Avesh Khan

It takes a special talent to be the best in a team that featured world-class bowlers like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Chris Woakes and Ishant Sharma. Despite the Delhi Capitals having the above-mentioned pacers, their skipper Rishabh Pant always turned to Avesh Khan to make a difference. It would be safe to say that the pacer has immense potential.

The fact that the legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting, who also happens to be the DC coach, backed him speaks volumes of his abilities. The youngster was the second-highest wicket-taker of IPL 2021. In 16 games, the 24-year-old picked 24 wickets at an average of 14.34

His best figures were 3/13. However, it is his economy rate which seems astonishingly insane to say the least. Despite bowling the tough overs, his economy rate was just 7.37.