IPL 2018: Best XI from the Top four teams

With the business end of the tournament just a few hours away from commencement, the Indian Premier League (IPL) organizers can proudly pat themselves on their back for organizing this grandiose tournament so incredibly well. This well and truly has been one of the best editions of all time.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad, against all the odds, has managed to finish on top of the table after the league stages, setting up a marquee clash against the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier at the Wankhede. The Kolkata Knight Riders will enjoy home advantage for the Eliminator and hopefully the qualifier 2 as they gear up to take on the Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens.

It was a pity to see the likes of Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers bow out of the tournament after having come so close. But one has to accept a fact that the four best teams this season are in the top 4, ready to battle it out for the title. Here’s the best XI from these top 4 sides, who played a major role in their teams’ success.

Openers – Ambati Rayudu, Jos Buttler

Arguably the find of the IPL for Indian cricket, Ambati Rayudu has rediscovered his purple patch and rightfully earned a place in the Indian side for the England tour. He thus far has scored 586 runs, which includes a hundred and 3 fifties. Another couple of good knocks from him and CSK will be on course for their third title.

It’s a real shame for the Rajasthan Royals that Jos Buttler has travelled back to England, but country always comes first. He’s been in devastating form this season, equalling a long-standing record of Virender Sehwag, who previously scored 5 consecutive 50+ scores in 2011. He amassed 548 runs in the 13 matches he played.

Middle Order – Kane Williamson, MS Dhoni (C & wk), Dinesh Karthik

The middle order for this side comprises of a lot of captains. Beginning with the living legend of Indian cricket, MS Dhoni, the captain cool has been in great form with the bat. He also completed 4,000 runs in IPL, becoming only the 7th player to do so.

Kane Williamson is in contention to win the Most Valuable Player award this season and his stats justify that. He has led the Sunrisers from the front and has already registered 661 runs, which includes 8 fifties. Dinesh Karthik looked invincible with the bat in the middle order and has contributed profusely every time he was in the middle.

All-rounders – Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan

Sunil Narine is being hailed these days as a batting all-rounder more than a professional bowler these days. The way he upped the ante with the bat is scintillating and he will be eager to play few more sublime knocks to help his side clinch their third trophy.

Shakib Al Hasan has been more of a bowling all-rounder this season, but in the few chances he got to contribute with the bat, he has fared well. He picked up some humongous wickets this season and has been one of the best finds for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Bowlers – Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Siddarth Kaul, Shardul Thakur

Not many would’ve expected Jofra Archer to perform the way he did. He’s been outstanding in every department, picking up some very important wickets for the side. Talk about providing crucial wickets, no bowler has done that more consistently than Rashid Khan. So his inclusion in the XI shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Siddarth Kaul is another cricketer who rediscovered himself, just like Ambati Rayudu. He has been included in the T20 side for the England tour and has picked up 17 wickets in 14 games for SRH. Shardul Thakur has been one of the unsung heroes for CSK, picking up wickets with the new ball and bowling some decent overs in the death.

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