IPL 2020: Best XI from the league stage

As the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League – IPL is swiftly moving to the playoffs, fans have witnessed the enigmatic drama unfold on the 22-yards of the cricketing turf. Amidst the covid-cacophony, it has proven to be the sublime-stressbuster salvaging cricket nerds all across the world from the inevitable gloominess and despondency hovering over their head. From edge-of-the-seat thrillers to nerve-wracking fireworks with humungous out of the park sixes, players have poured their blood and sweat on the field in the true sense of the term. Not only players but also their ardent fans have mastered the art of holding nerves after matches having gone down to the wire on several occasions. The best cricketing league in the world has proven its point once again in sheer suave and style. On that note, this article brings to you the Best XI in the league stage of the ongoing season. So, without any further ado, let’s take a sneak peek into the names: 1. Devdutt Padikkal Devdutt Padikkal. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The Karnataka-based cricketer Padikkal has been one of the biggest finds of the 13th IPL. True to his potential, the budding talent has displayed the propensity of a calm and poised persona in the middle. Hence, Royal Challengers Bangalore identified the young talent and bought him at the cost of 20 lakhs. Without a shade of doubt, he has put his best foot forward on the 22 yards. The southpaw has mustered 472 runs in the 14 innings as an opener for the Virat Kohli-led side. To his credit, the about-to-become superstar has set up the solid foundation stone for the red outfit in almost every match. Eventually, the exuberant youngster has been handed over the opportunity to play his natural game despite having experienced Parthiv Patel in the squad. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Devdutt features as a dashing opener for the dream team due to his impeccable rendition with the willow. Moreover, if his bat continues to talk persistently, days aren’t far that he may don the Indian cap under the leadership of Virat Kohli. 2. KL Rahul (WK) KL Rahul. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul was handed over the skipper’s hat in the ongoing season for Kings XI Punjab. Also, shouldering the massive responsibility with elegance, Rahul has gone the extra mile to ensure that the team crosses the line of triumph. The Karnataka-based cricketer is known for his docile and sedating demeanor. Giving the flamboyant cricketer an edge against other skippers, he has racked up incredible runs in the league stage. Scoring as many as 670 runs in 14 matches for the Punjab based outfit, Rahul went all guns blazing from the word go for his side. Although the grey outfit could not make it to the playoffs, he has been a seasoned campaigner throughout the season. Eventually, he finds his name in the star-studded team as an opener alongside Devdut Paddikal. 3. Virat Kohli (C) Virat Kohli of RCB. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is known for conquering frontiers by leading from the front. The world’s best batsman scripts milestones in every match for his team. Due to his impeccable rendition with the willow, Kohli is the only player in the history of T20 extravaganza to play for the same franchise ever since its inception. Virat leaves no stone unturned when he walks down for the ultimate business. Having amassed 460 runs in 14 matches with an impressive strike rate of 122.01, he has been on a prolific run for his franchise in the ongoing season. Despatching 10 herculean sixes and 21 electrifying fours, Virat has upped the ante for the trophy-deprived side. Marshalling his resources phenomenally, the king also dons the skipper’s jersey in the exorbitant team of a perfectionist. Hence, the top-class batsman can get the team into the groove at his own disposal. 4. AB de Villiers AB de Villiers celebration. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The South-African cricketing stalwart AB de Villiers has been a sheer delight for franchise cricket all around the world. The charming gentleman of the game has added an extra ounce of spiciness for the cricket nerds with his finesse art. Much to the fans’ expectations, RCB retained the premier batsman yet again in the 2020 season and he has lived up to the billing once again. The wizard has played his role to perfection launching assault on the tearaway pace-attacks comfortably. Moreover, the gritty-match winner, time and again, snatches the matches from the jaws of defeat. To his credit, De Villers has garnered 398 runs in 14 outings at a robust strike rate of 163.78. Notably, his decimating knock came against Rajasthan Royals in the reverse clash wherein he marched his troops single-handedly with a scintillating six to finish off in style. For his bedazzling performance, he finds his name in the top-order of the Best XI. Sending chills down the spine of the opposition bowlers with his mere presence, he can take the bowlers on remand with sheer comfort. 5. Nicholas Pooran Nicholas Pooran. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The Indian Premier League is known to throw up surprises every now and then, and the bid for Nicholas Pooran, who was eventually signed up by Kings XI Punjab for a salary of INR 4.2 crore, was just one of those things. The over-night star turned out to be the true entertainer as far as the fans are concerned. Bolstering the batting order of the Punjab based outfit, he added an extra 20-30 run in the team’s total score. Riding on his blistering 353 runs in 14 appearances, his quick-fire cameos have worked wonders for the team in turning the tables on their side. Averaging 35.30 in IPL 2020, Pooran has rolled down the best of the innings for his lucrative side. Moreover, his spectacular fielding at the boundary makes him a perfect contention to be a strong member of the dream squad. The Caribbean power-hitter may take the responsibility and wreak havoc on bowlers when the team demands from him. 6. Ravindra Jadeja Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The mighty all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja cannot be ignored on the field. Synonymous with perseverance, determination and grit, Jadeja is a cricketing phenomenon who can jump into the fire to rescue his team. He’s a complete cricketer who adds an extra-weightage of glory to his team with his wits and cricketing brain. The Gujarat-born-prodigy has anchored many innings for the Chennai outfit. Dhoni’s favourite has amassed 232 runs in 11 outings for the 3-time title contenders. One of his match-winning knocks came in a thrilling encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders in the second leg of the cash-rich tournament. With the ball, the talisman has grabbed 6 crucial breakthroughs for the yellow brigade. Although the Chennai-based outfit could not make it into the playoffs, Ravindra Jadeja won hearts of the die-hard super kings’ fans. For his potential to crack the winning code for any team, the ostentatious cricketing gem makes the cut into the best squad alongside the likes of Kohli and AB de Villers. 7. Sam Curran Sam Curran. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The England-born-youngster Sam Curran has given the world the glamourous glimpse of what he is capable of in the future. The 22-year-old has been on an inexorable form for MS Dhoni’s side. Curran struck the right chord to become a regular feature for the CSK in the upcoming seasons. The cheerful bowling all-rounder has risen to the occasion with sheer confidence visible on the sweet face. Notching 186 runs for the Daddies army, Curran has been the biggest revelation in IPL 2020. He batted with a strike rate of 131.91 and healed the team which was often struggling with a poor showdown by the experienced pool of batsmen. Shining with the ball too, he stamped his authority ripping apart the batting line-ups of opposition teams taking away 13 wickets. Subsequently, due to his stupendous performance for the yellow army, Sam is placed in the middle-order of the squad. 8. Jasprit Bumrah Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The backbone of Mumbai Indians bowling line-up, Jasprit Bumrah has become a regular talk-of-the-town for his exemplary showdown with the bowl. The experienced yorker-specialist gets wickets each time he plays for the Mumbai outfit at his discretion. Breaking all myths and stereotypes, Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as India’s No. 1 bowler across all formats. His transition from white-ball cricket to the red ball has been seamless. The fiery speedster has wreaked havoc on the opposition teams flaunting 23 wickets under his swanky belt. The top-class wizard brings fear in the batsmen’s minds owing to his lethal pace. He has played a key role in Mumbai Indians’ reason to bag the top spot. Boasting an emphatic economy of 6.96, he is a go-to bowler for the blue outfit. Ticking all the required boxes with grittiness, Jasprit rarely has a bad day in the office. Hence, he spearheads the bowling attack of the dream XI squad. He can get the necessary early breakthroughs to the power-packed side. 9. Yuzvendra Chahal Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Team India’s permanent wrist spinner in the limited-overs formats, Chahal became the first Indian bowler to have picked up a five-wicket haul in T20Is. The Haryana-based tweaker, who has been a part of RCB since 2014, has gone on to take 23 and 21 wickets in the 2015 and 2016 seasons of the league. With his knack of picking wickets at regular intervals, Chahal made his debut for Team India that toured Zimbabwe in 2016 and was later given an opportunity against England in the T20Is, which he grabbed to the fullest. The 30-year-old has grabbed 20 wickets in 14 outings at a majestic economy of 7.16. He has since gone on to establish himself as a bowler who beats the batsman with his variations and Virat Kohli’s go-to-man in limited-overs cricket. The mojo artist proves to be a reliable bowler who can weather any storm and can pick wickets with his flighted deliveries. Therefore, he bags the spot in the team who can thoroughly baffle the batsman with his authentic craft. 10. Kagiso Rabada Kagiso Rabada. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The speedster Kagiso Rabada was retained by Delhi Capitals for the 2019 season. Despite not playing a part in the previous season, the move paid dividends as he picked up 25 wickets during Delhi Capitals’ run to the semifinals. The young pacer took the team a much-awaited victory in the Super Over against Kings XI Punjab. Moreover, the superstar has bagged 25 wickets for the Delhi outfit with one 4-wicket haul to his name. Therefore, his rusty hands give him a position in the team of the greats. Rabada can take down any power-hitter on any given day. Due to his profound prowess, he can add teeth and muscle to the bowling unit of the exorbitant team. 11. Mohammed Shami Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: Twitter) The Indian ace pacer Mohammed Shami has revived his limited-overs career with some stellar performances in Indian colours. Eventually, he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab for a hefty price tag of INR 4.8 crore. The regular performer who can click the leather at 145KMPH at ease has proved his worth for Punjab. All in all, the 30-year-old has picked up 20 wickets for his team in the ongoing season amidst the echo of huge sixes. Shami’s progress has been terrific and he is now a complete bowler and batsmen always find it tough to face him. The unorthodox beauty is a vital cog in Punjab’s machinery. Donning the role of ruthless death over-bowler, he can chip in whenever the team requires from him.

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IPL 2020: Best XI from the league stage

Who will lead the best XI of the league stage in IPL 2020?

7. Sam Curran

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