Best All Time IPL XI Team: The IPL is the world’s biggest T20 league, and there’s no doubt about it. Many of the world’s best cricket players from different countries compete in this league. Experts and commentators from all over the world cover the tournament. When the IPL is on, there’s no international cricket because everyone is watching this tournament closely.
In this article, we’re trying to create the best IPL XI of all time. It’s a bit tricky because the IPL has been around for a long time and has produced many T20 cricket greats. We had to make some tough choices to finalize this team. It’s important to mention that we didn’t stick to the rule of having only four overseas players, so we could pick the very best IPL players from the past 16 seasons. Also read Most Runs Against MI in IPL History.
Best IPL XI of All Time
Here is an all-time best playing XI of the Indian premier league as per their batting and bowling positions.
Openers: Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ab De Villiers
WicketKeeper: MS Dhoni (WK)(C)
All Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja
Spin Bowler: Sunil Narine
Fast Bowler: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah
Best IPL XI Analysis
Chris Gayle
Whenever people talk about the IPL, they always remember Chris Gayle. At his best, he was like a superstar for the Indian Premier League. Chris mainly opens the batting, and when he does, he’s amazing. He played 142 matches, scored 4965 runs, and had an impressive strike rate of 149. He even scored 6 centuries!
Rohit Sharma
The person who has been playing for the Mumbai Indians for over ten years shares the opening position with Chris Gayle. Rohit Sharma is the third highest run-scorer in IPL history, with 5611 runs in 213 matches as of this season.
Rohit is a reliable and valuable choice for the opening position in this XI. He can adapt his batting style to the match’s needs, which is essential for an opener.
Virat Kohli
There’s no question about who should bat at No. 3, as this spot belongs to Virat Kohli. Virat and the No. 3 position go hand in hand, like a perfect match. He’s the highest run-scorer in the history of the Indian Premier League, with an impressive total of 6283 runs in 207 matches. Virat has delivered match-winning performances for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in recent seasons while batting in this position.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina, known as Mr. Dependable for the Chennai Super Kings, will take the No. 4 spot in this XI. While he typically played at No. 3 for CSK, he’s also a great fit for the 4th position. Besides his batting skills, he adds value with his occasional off-spin bowling and exceptional fielding. Having Suresh Raina in the lineup means the team gets the complete package of his abilities.
Ab De Villiers
With his incredible performances for RCB in the past, Mr. 360°, Ab de Villiers, is a must-have in the middle order at No. 5. He’s the most stylish and flamboyant batsman in this lineup, especially when he’s in the middle.
Ab de Villiers has the ability to be a game-changer, fearlessly taking on any situation and outperforming the opposition. His brilliance shines brightly on the field, whether he’s batting or fielding.
MS Dhoni (WK/C)
MS Dhoni will be the wicketkeeper and the captain of this playing XI. Throughout his career, he has been a finisher and batted at No. 6. When you think of someone who can finish an innings, MS Dhoni is the first name that comes to mind.
He has played the most matches in the Indian Premier League, a total of 220, and has scored 4746 runs with a respectable average of 39.5. Dhoni is known for his ability to hit big shots at the end of an innings and wrap it up effectively.
Ravindra Jadeja
The team benefits from having an aggressive batsman who also bowls left-arm orthodox spin. The combination of a left-handed and a right-handed batsman as a finishing pair has proven effective for the team in recent years.
Ravindra Jadeja has the skill to deliver a full quota of 4 overs with disciplined and economical bowling. He has consistently batted at this position for the Chennai Super Kings.
Sunil Narine
There’s a possibility of Dwayne Bravo filling this role, but considering the favorable spin conditions in India, Sunil Narine would be the ideal choice. He has played 134 IPL matches and taken 143 wickets.
Sunil can bowl effectively in various situations, whether it’s during the Powerplay, in the middle overs, or at the end of the innings. Over the last decade, he has consistently delivered impressive performances, picking up those 143 wickets in 134 matches.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, known for his mastery of pace variation, is the third-highest wicket-taker among pacers in the IPL. He has taken 132 wickets in his IPL career, which is slightly less than Lasith Malinga and Dwayne Bravo.
Bhuvneshwar consistently delivers economical and wicket-taking bowling performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Considering his experience and performance, he should be the top choice as the first pacer in this lineup.
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga holds the record as the most incredible and highest wicket-taker bowler in IPL history. He has an astonishing 170 wickets in just 122 matches in the tournament.
Malinga is the top leader in the fast bowling department wherever he plays. His approach is to constantly challenge the mindset of the batsmen while bowling, a crucial skill in the T20 format.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah, one of the best bowlers in the world today, always plays a crucial role in any team he’s a part of. He’s been a significant contributor to Mumbai Indians’ five championship titles. While his wicket tally might not be as high as Lasith Malinga’s, Bumrah consistently looks to seize crucial moments and make a significant impact on the game.
