The Kings of IPL; the all-time IPL XI

The Kings of IPL; all-time IPL XI: Kings of the IPL are the XI players who have not only played the Indian T20 league but have excelled in their positions. Classified from openers to the pacers, an analysis of performances, impacts and outcomes helped us in constructing the all-time IPL XI. We have seen seven seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it started off with amazing craze and little knowledge. Lot of us were unaware of how the rules would change in the shortest format, the no ball, its penalty a free hit, power plays, field restrictions, uncapped players, overseas recruits, the play offs and so much about how this football like structured league tournament will be played. IPL in all these years has grown on to become a phenomenon and is now a gateway; it gives you the limelight, platform to showcase your talent and guarantees a sweeter fruit. Players who were unknown commodities suddenly turned out to become match changers and then there were the established ones who had this challenge of getting themselves accustomed to the most consuming, fast moving format of the game. There are regular players and then there are these XI picks that we have made, the term used here is the all-time IPL XI which makes them the best players to have taken the role and the way they applied themselves to attain what they have, is better than the rest. The squad has been picked considering the norms which teams have to follow while selecting their XI, and thus we also had the limitation of including only 4 overseas players in the squad. Here are the The Kings of IPL; the all-time IPL XI: 1. Gautam Gambhir: Gautam Gambhir’s IPL career expands to 123 matches in which he has scored 3875 runs. (Photo Source: BCCI) Gautam Gambhir’s IPL career expands to 123 matches in which he has scored 3875 runs; is among the all time leading run scorers of the tournament. He also has 26 half centuries to his name and has scored all his runs at a healthy strike rate of 124.55. It is not just the runs that Gambhir has scored, but his overall character has enjoyed ultimate success at the KKR leading them to the Champions Glory twice. For the initial phase Gauti had also played at the Delhi franchise, from where he was picked by KKR and is KKRs favorite son since arrival. 2. Chris Gayle: (Overseas) Chris Gayle has played for KKR and RCB in the IPL. (Photo Source:AFP) Chris Gayle has played for KKR and RCB in the IPL. He has played a total of 84 matches and plundered 3200 runs, at a strike rate of 152.96. We usually neither consider nor discuss batting averages as far as T20 cricket is considered but in Gayle’s column average read 46.36 which is a good enough average to own even in ODIs. The Big Jamaican also has 5 hundreds and has crossed the 50 runs mark 18 times in his IPL career; the most striking figure is his highest score which is 175*. 3. Suresh Raina: If we take an overview of all IPL players and their value addition in the team, Suresh Raina will end up being second to none. (Photo Source: BCCI) If we take an overview of all IPL players and the value they add to the team, Suresh Raina will emerge second to none. He has not only been the most consistent batsman for the CSK but rather a package, Raina is the best fielder that they have along with being skipper Dhoni’s go to bowler when he wants to try out a trick. Suresh Raina has scored 3909 runs in his IPL career of 139 matches with the help of 1 hundred and 26 half-centuries; he is not only the most capped IPL player but also the leading run scorer in the history of the tournament, also has the most number of catches by a fielder in the league. 4. Rohit Sharma (Vice-captain): We have tagged Rohit Sharma as the vice-captain of the all time IPL XI. (Photo Source: BCCI) We have tagged Rohit Sharma as the vice-captain of the all time IPL XI as he is not only the best player who can bat at this position but also has led his team Mumbai Indians to their first and only IPL trophy and Champions League win in the same season. Rohit has been among the best batsmen in the league as he has 3683 runs in his 136 matches IPL career, which also has 1 hundred and 28 half’s scored by the MI skipper. Rohit Sharma was a part of the Deccan Chargers team in the initial few years and was the major reason behind their success in the tournament, and has been a part of the IPL winning squad at the DC as well. 5. AB de Villiers: (Overseas) The second overseas player in the XI is South African skipper and the most prolific, geometrically sound batsman that we have in world cricket AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI) The second overseas player in the XI is South African skipper and the most prolific, geometrically sound batsman that we have in world cricket AB de Villiers. His batting style has not only earned him unbelievable records in cricket but also a title, his fans call him Mr. 360 as he creates unrealistic angles and movements to dispatch the ball during his stay at in the middle. AB has played 104 matches in the IPL and has piled 2839 runs, his best is 133* along with which he has also scored 18 half-centuries. If there is one person who perfectly fits the number 5 position it is AB de Villiers. 6. Irfan Pathan: Irfan Pathan finds himself in the all time XI in the capacity of being the best seam bowling all-rounder that has played the tournament. (Photo Source: CSK Official Twitter Handle) Irfan Pathan finds himself in the all time XI in the capacity of being the best seam bowling all-rounder that has played the tournament. He has switched franchises at various stages, suited a few, while was underutilized at some places. Irfan has till date played 99 matches in his IPL career, has scored 1128 runs with the strike rate of 121.03 and has also plucked 80 wickets. No other all-rounder has been able to match his exploits and thus he walks into the all time best IPL XI. 7. MS Dhoni (Captain, wicket-keeper): Here comes the Big Man, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni is the Iconic player for his team the Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: BCCI) Here comes the Big Man, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni is the Iconic player for his team the Chennai Super Kings; he is undoubtedly the best finisher, wicket-keeper and captain that has played the IPL. He is a One Man Army in himself when it comes to the T20 league. While playing for India we see him being lot more responsible and cautious with his approach, but he flows free and ferocious here. Mammoth sixes, unbelievable circumstances, winning matches from the grasps of defeats Dhoni has achieved it all in his 136 matches career apart from the 2 IPL and 2 CLT20 titles. The CSK skipper has also scored 3109 runs, strikes it at 139.54 and averages 39.35; add to that 58 catches and 23 stumpings that he has affected and you know why this description is the longest. 8. Ravichandran Ashwin: Here is another player which we can term a gift of the Indian T20 league to international cricket in the larger sense. (Photo Source: BCCI) Here is another player, we can term a gift of the Indian T20 league to international cricket in the larger sense; very few knew who Ravichandran Ashwin was prior to his involvement and success with the CSK. He shares such a mature, adhesive and confident bond with his skipper Dhoni that the latter keeps on throwing stinger tasks at him and Ashwin responds to them with vigor. The off-spinner has played 104 matches for the Super Kings and has picked 92 wickets, what these numbers don’t show is that he has bowled against the most destructive batsmen with the new ball, regularly bowled in the power plays and has done the job for his skipper in the death over’s as well. 9. Sunil Narine: (Overseas) If KKR could talk of pulling out from the IPL if Narine was subjected to additional scrutiny, it tells us the impact and importance this man has in his team. (Photo Source: BCCI) If KKR could talk of pulling out from the IPL if Narine was subjected to additional scrutiny, it tells us the impact and importance this man has in his team. Along with Gautam, Narine has played a pivotal role in restructuring the team and helping them rocket up from the bottom of the table to two times IPL champion. Years after making his international and Indian Premier League debut his bowling remains to puzzle, bewilders and traps the best batsmen. Narine has got the better of 79 batsmen in his 59 match career, he has also been a true miser, and his overall economy rate reads at 6.02 which look unrealistic by IPL and T20 standards. 10. R Vinay Kumar: A few would be surprised with this name popping up in the best XI of the IPL. (Photo Source: BCCI) A few would be surprised with this name popping up in the best XI of the IPL; but R Vinay Kumar has always been among the wickets, day in day out, season after season, he is neither the quickest nor the sharpest. But has his set of variations and tricks to outwit the batsmen and he has been quite successful at it being the fifth highest wicket taker in the history of the tournament. Vinay has played 100 matches in the Indian domestic league and has picked up 98 wickets. He had a long stint at the RCB, was also been a part of the Kochi Tuskers team; played one season for the KKR and will be seen donning the MI jersey in this IPL. 11. Lasith Malinga (Overseas): Lasith Malinga is unconventional, with his attitude, approach, hairdo and even his action. (Photo Source: BCCI) Lasith Malinga is unconventional, with his attitude, approach, hairdo and even his action. But all that matter very little until you are able to stand as tall as he does with your performance. Malinga can easily be termed the best T20 bowler that world cricket has seen. The Sri Lankan has developed his bowling so well that the best batsmen in the world find him difficult to negotiate. Lasith Malinga has played 98 matches in his Indian Premier League career and has flourished with 143 wickets, which includes 4 four-wicket hauls, one fifer and is the leading wicket taker in the history of the tournament. His sling arm swinging balls, slower bouncers, the slower deliveries and the most lethal toe crushing Yorkers have very rarely found a reply. (All stats and data updated till 30th April 2016)

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