IPL 2022: Best XI from Group A ahead of the season

The IPL 2022 is now just around a week away. All franchises have started gathering their players in the state of Maharashtra. On 26th March, CSK and KKR will kickstart the proceedings. Perhaps this will also be the first IPL season where teams are placed in two groups.

Speaking of the groupings then Group A is already perceived to be the toughest. Because of the heavyweight teams, it is a blockbuster arrangement. Even the new franchise-LSG has assembled a very interesting squad. Therefore in this list, we have tried to make a combined best XI from Group A.

Best XI from Group A ahead of IPL 2022:

1. KL Rahul

Well, KL Rahul in the IPL has been a euphoric sensation. In the last few seasons, the batter has scored oodles of runs. After the great Suresh Raina, Rahul has become the next MR IPL. Indeed since IPL 2018 onwards, the 29-year old has emerged as a 600-run bank/vault.

Statistically in IPL’s last 4-year cycle, Rahul was the highest run-scorer. Even for his former franchise-PBKS, the cricketer is their all-time top scorer. In terms of runs for Punjab, the Bangalore boy scored 2548 runs at a majestic average of 56.62.

Perhaps in general, the right-hand batter is one of the best local players for the shortest format. That’s why even in this list, Rahul has opened above a behemoth like Rohit Sharma. Overall in the competition, the LSG skipper has played 94 games scoring 3273 runs at an average of 47.43. Even strike rate wise, Rahul tonks the ball at 136.37.

2. David Warner (C)

Undoubtedly, this Australian has been a legendary name in the competition. For SRH, David Warner was their main pillar. Even captaincy wise, Warner had guided the orange army into the playoffs on five consecutive occasions (2016-2020). The southpaw is also the highest run-scorer amongst the overseas players.

Statistically, Warner is also now IPL’s fifth-highest run-getter. For his former franchise, the 35-year old was a 600-run bank till IPL 2020. In his prime, Warner also helped SRH win their maiden IPL title in 2016.

Overall, this T20 great has also completed playing 150 games in the IPL. In terms of his overall figures, Warner has smashed 5449 runs at an average of 41.59. Even in this playing XI, the veteran will be captaining the team.

3. Suryakumar Yadav

At number three, Suryakumar Yadav is an ideal candidate. The batter, because of his 360-degree gameplay, can change gears whenever required. Barring this, if the wickets are flat then Sky just loves exhibiting his natural game. That’s why even for his franchise, the batter is a vital cog. The 31-year old is also one of the elusive players who can score big even on shoddy wickets.

Performance-wise, Surya has also been MI’s best batter since IPL 2018. His game-changing approach has made him now the fifth-highest scorer for Mumbai. In his last four IPL seasons, he has played 61 games amassing a total of 1733 runs. More importantly, the batter has also scored around 12 fifties.

All in all, even in this team, Sky’s role will be to play dynamically and change the course of the game. Overall so far in his IPL career, the cricketer has played 115 games scoring 2341 runs.

4. Sanju Samson

At number four, there aren’t many players who have been as consistent as Sanju Samson. The batter for RR has been a run-machine in recent times. His explosive batting has also allowed him to play a lot of impactful cameos. Indeed when the 27-year old is on the song, the cricketer makes batting look very pleasing.

Though even the likes of Shreyas Iyer has been prolific in the middle-order, Samson notches ahead because of his six-hitting prowess. The cricketer, in his IPL career, has smashed a total of 132 sixes which are the most even for his franchise. For RR, the skipper is now only behind Ajinkya Rahane in terms of most runs.

Overall, this explosive right-hander has amassed 3068 runs from 121 games in the IPL. Samson is also one of the exclusive Indian players who have hit more than 2 centuries in the league.

5. Rishabh Pant

In a true sense after MSD, it’s been Rishabh Pant who as a local batter has smashed runs consistently in the lower-middle order. For his franchise, the southpaw has also become the top run-scorer. Even in the last few IPL seasons, the youngster guarantees close to 350 runs along with a healthy strike rate (147.46).

Numbers-wise, the 24-year old had a commendable IPL 2021. From his 16 appearances, Pant scored a total of 419 runs at an average of almost 35. More importantly, the batter also finished games from tricky situations.

Comprehensively even in this team, the cricketer looks tailor-made for playing attacking cricket. Overall so far in his IPL career, the Delhi batter has scored 2498 runs from his 84 appearances.

6. Kieron Pollard

For MI, Kieron Pollard is a well-proven match-winner. Since IPL 2010, the WI cricketer is strongly associated with the team. Perhaps for a countless number of occasions, Pollard has been a force, especially in the knockout games. Against giants like CSK, the cricketer enjoys an ultra-special record. Therefore at number 6, there’s barely anyone better than the Caribbean player.

Performance-wise, Pollard’s stats have been very solid in recent times. Especially in IPL 2020, the 33-year old whacked the ball at a strike rate of 191. Even in the last season, the all-rounder was one of MI’s best batters both in terms of strike rate and average (148.48 & 30.62).

Comprehensively, Pollard is also now MI’s second-highest all-time scorer. With regards to big hits, Pollard has jolted a total of 214 maximums now. All in all, in his IPL career, the West Indian has played 178 games scoring 3268 runs.

7. Andre Russell

If this herculean is fully fit and fine, then in any T20 XI, Russell will be a no brainer. The cricketer is an esteemed T20 figure who can change the game in any situation. For KKR, Russell has been their eminent lower middle-order batter. On numerous occasions, the batter has single-handedly finished games. Perhaps if the wickets are flat then Russell becomes a six-hitting machine.

In terms of his recent performances, Russell sadly has had two bleak IPL seasons. However in IPL 2019 when the Trinidadian was fully fit, an impressive tally of 510 runs had come from his blade. In fact, even in IPL 2021, Russell was belting the ball with a force of 152.50. Interestingly, his overall IPL strike rate still stands in the high 170s.

All in all, this fibrous individual can even close games with his secondary skill. So far from his 84 IPL games, Russell has scored 1700 runs along with pouching 72 wickets. We hope this beast is now fully ready to roar in IPL 2022.

8. Shardul Thakur

Barring the cricketer’s heroics in international cricket, Shardul Thakur had a blissful IPL 2021. The pacer not only helped CSK win the title but also fetched the most wickets for the team. Also with mainly bowling in the middle passage of play, Thakur scalped big fishes.

In total from his 16 appearances, the 30-year old seized 21 wickets at an economy of 8.8. His improved batting skills now in general has made him a commendable bowling all-rounder. That’s why even in this team, Thakur’s batting will elongate the entire batting order.

All in all, the 30-year old had a brilliant stint with the yellow army, especially under MS Dhoni‘s captaincy. We hope that even in IPL 2022, the Mumbai lad brims himself with many wickets.

9. Yuzvendra Chahal

In terms of leading spinners in the league, Yuzi Chahal tops all charts. For RCB, the cricketer is already the leading wicket-taker. In IPL’s all-time most wickets list, Chahal stands at number nine. Perhaps specifically with regards to leg-spin, the 31-year old is a behemoth.

Performance-wise, Chahalhas been brimming with wickets in the last few seasons. Since IPL 2019, the spinner has scalped a total of 57 wickets from 44 games. Even in terms of economy, the cricketer concedes runs around 7.3. Barring all this, Chahal is also one of the elusive spinners who unflinchingly bowls at the death.

All in all, the leggie has now played a total of 114 games in the competition. In total, Chahal has splendid 139 wickets at an economy of 7.59. In IPL 2022, he will represent his third franchise (RR) in the tournament.

10. Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje made his debut in IPL 2020 and is now DC’s chief pacer. In the last two IPL seasons, the cricketer played 24 games and was retained. His performances were so enriching that, the Delhi management discarded Kagiso Rabada in exchange. In general, the spearhead is one of the fastest bowlers in the competition.

To further exhibit Nortje’s dominance, the 28-year old picked 22 wickets in his debut season. Even in IPL 2021, Nortje just played 6 matches and pouched 12 wickets. So far his economy also commendably stands at 7.65. If the pacer’s fitness persists entirely in IPL 2022 then expect him to bag the purple cap.

All in all, in this playing XI, the Protea had to fight for his place, especially against the likes of Pat Cummins and Jason Holder.

11. Jasprit Bumrah

Undoubtedly after Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah has been the next iconic pacer. For MI, the spearhead is the biggest match-winner with the ball. In the IPL’s last two seasons, Bumrah has twice scalped more than 20 wickets. As of now, the bowler is also IPL’s 10th highest wicket-taker.

However, for MI, he’s only second to legendary Malinga. In fact from IPL 2017 onwards, Bumrah has bagged a total of 104 wickets from 75 matches. Even with regards to the economy, the 28-year old concedes runs at 7.41. In IPL 2020, Bumrah had picked a four-wicket haul twice.

Overall, from his total 106 IPL appearances, Bumrah has fetched a tally of 130 wickets. Thankfully much like his bowling stats, the Indian pacer is also now one of the top five expensive pacers of the competition.