Best IPL playing XI of all-time ft. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni

Since its launch in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has completely changed the face of cricket. By blending local talent with international stars, the tournament has given rise to some of the most unforgettable performances in the sport's history.

17 seasons have been held, with the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) standing out as the most successful franchises, each claiming five titles. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have secured three championships, while the Rajasthan Royals (RR), SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), Deccan Chargers (DC), and Gujarat Titans (GT) have each won once.

The league has featured some of the greatest cricketers globally, who have left their mark alongside Indian legends. With that in mind, let’s create the best all-time IPL playing XI.

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Top order: Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Virat Kohli

Current Indian ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma stands out as one of the most successful leaders in IPL history. The 37-year-old has led the Mumbai Indians to five titles, with the latest championship secured in 2020. He is also the third-highest run-scorer in the league's history, amassing 6,628 runs in 252 innings, which includes 43 fifties and two centuries.

Former Australian cricketer David Warner will open the batting alongside Rohit in our all-time IPL playing XI. Warner is the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history, having accumulated 6,565 runs in 184 matches at an average of 40.52, including 62 fifties and four centuries.

At 38 years old, he also captained SunRisers Hyderabad to victory in 2016 and has claimed the Orange Cap three times (in 2015, 2017, and 2019), the most by any player in IPL history.

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli will take the No. 3 spot in our lineup. Although the Delhi-born cricketer has yet to win an IPL trophy, his legacy is unparalleled. Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the tournament's history, with 8,004 runs in 252 matches, which includes 55 fifties and eight centuries—the most of any player.

He has also won the Orange Cap twice and holds the record for the most runs in a single season, amassing 973 runs during the 2016 edition.

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Middle order/all-rounders: Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine

Suresh Raina, known as Mr. IPL, is considered one of the all-time greats of the tournament thanks to his influential performances in its early years. The former Indian cricketer won the IPL trophy four times with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Over his career, he participated in 205 matches, accumulating 5,528 runs, including 39 fifties and one century.

Known as Mr. 360, AB de Villiers had a remarkable IPL career, often leading his franchise to victory with his exceptional performances. The former Proteas star was a vital part of the RCB setup for over a decade before he retired from cricket.

In his 184 matches, the 40-year-old scored 5,162 runs at an average of 39.70, including 40 fifties and three centuries. His standout season was in 2016 when RCB reached the final; he amassed 687 runs in 16 matches, playing a crucial role in his team’s impressive run.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will serve as both captain and wicketkeeper for the team. He is one of the most successful captains in IPL history, having led CSK to five titles. With a record of 226 matches as captain and 133 victories, he boasts a win rate of 58.85%. Throughout his career, Dhoni has accumulated 5,243 runs in 264 games, which includes 24 fifties.

West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell has been a standout performer in the IPL, delivering some impressive performances over the years. As a key player for KKR, he has consistently excelled for the past decade.

The 36-year-old has scored 2,484 runs in 127 matches, boasting a strike rate of 174.92 and 11 fifties. Additionally, he has taken 115 wickets during his IPL career.

A key figure and one of the biggest names in the tournament, Sunil Narine has been an essential player for the Kolkata Knight Riders since 2012. The 36-year-old has helped the franchise secure three IPL titles (in 2012, 2014, and 2024).

He currently sits fifth on the all-time leading wicket-takers list, having claimed 180 scalps in 177 matches. In addition to his bowling prowess, Narine has also contributed significantly with the bat, amassing 1,534 runs, including seven fifties and one century.

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Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal

A modern great and one of the premier bowlers in Indian cricket, Jasprit Bumrah has been an essential part of the Mumbai Indians for many years. He has played a significant role in all of the team's successful campaigns, claiming 165 wickets in 133 matches, including two five-wicket hauls.

Another player who has consistently delivered strong performances over the years is Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The pacer was a key member of the SunRisers Hyderabad team that won the title in 2016. He earned the Purple Cap in two consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017) and has taken a total of 181 wickets in 176 matches.

The last player in our all-time playing XI is leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. At 34, he stands out as the leading wicket-taker in IPL history and is the only bowler to surpass 200 wickets. Chahal has taken 205 wickets in 160 matches, which includes one five-wicket haul.