Current IPL XI that can beat World No. 1 Pakistan T20I side

The 2009 World T-20 champions and the current No.1 in the T-20 format, Pakistan are one of the most exciting sides to watch when it comes to the shortest format of the game. The return of Mohammad Amir coupled with the emergence of young talents like Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan makes Pakistan a quality side.

It is an issue of concern, though, that due to some political reasons the most prominent T-20 league in the world, IPL, is eluded of players of such high pedigree. Imagine all the Pakistani talent adorning the Indian Premier League; it will take this celebrated league to a next level.

As we hope that Pakistani players are allowed to take part in the IPL, let us have a look at the current IPL XI that can provide a tough competition to World’s best T-20 side at the moment.

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Openers

#1 David Warner

The pocket rocket who can take down any bowling attack on his day, David Warner has scored 4010 runs at an average of 40.54 with a strike rate of 142.13 in his IPL career. Warner has scored the most number of runs in the previous four editions of the Indian Premier League. He has the ability to play shots all around the ground and with his athletic fielding, he becomes a must in the side. Watching him bat against a quality Pakistan bowling attack would be fun and exciting.

#2 Rohit Sharma

The classy Indian opener and Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma is the second opener in this team. He has scored 4207 runs in his IPL career at an average of 32.61 with a strike rate of 130.89. Rohit has had his own little rivalry against Mohammad Amir where the latter had got the better of the former on all occasions. This mini battle among the big clash would be the one to watch out for.

Middle Order

#3 Virat Kohli

The current Indian captain is the top pick. The orange cap holder in the 2016 IPL edition, Virat Kohli showed the world what he is made of. He scored a record 973 runs with four centuries and seven half-centuries. He is already among the best T-20 players of all time. In a match that will be full of emotions and feelings, Kohli will be as exciting to watch as any. The Pakistani bowling talent against India’s run machine would be one hell of a competition to witness.

#4 Suresh Raina

Referred to as Mr. IPL, Suresh Raina is amongst the best players in the Indian Premier League. It is impossible to imagine an IPL XI without Suresh Raina. He is the leading run-scorer in the IPL with 4540 runs to his name; he has scored these runs at an average of 34.13 with an impressive strike rate of 139.09.

Handy with the bowl and athletic in the field, Suresh Raina provides the perfect balance to the team. Raina’s presence provides stability to middle order and he can also change gears towards the end if required. It would be interesting to see how he handles the young and talented Hasan Ali.

#5 AB Devilliers

The Superman from RCB and one of the best batsmen in the world, AB Devilliers has the ability to demolish any bowling attack on his day. The 360-degree batsman has this rare ability to switch his batting style from classical to unorthodox; he can play the same ball over covers and over fine leg which makes him such a special batsman. His great IPL record speaks for itself. AB loves taking the attack to spinners and his contest with the young and talented leggie, Shadab Khan, would be the one to keep an eye on.

Wicket-keeper and All-rounder

#6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C & WK)

One cannot look beyond MS Dhoni while picking a wicket-keeper batsman in an IPL team. The former India skipper has scored 3561 runs at an average of 37.88 with a strike rate of 136.75 in the IPL, and most of his runs have come in the lower middle order (no.5, 6 and 7). The CSK superstar has the ability to finish off games in style.

Dhoni has led CSK to the IPL title two times. In such an emotion-ridden game, Dhoni’s calming influence will be required. His finishing abilities against a good Pakistani bowling attack will be tested.

#7 Ben Stokes

The best all-rounder in World cricket at the moment, Ben Stokes enters this team as a finisher and a 5th bowler. Stokes has great hitting abilities and can also bowl the tough death overs.

In the only edition he played, he led Rising Pune Supergiant to the final single-handedly, scoring 316 runs at an average of 31.60 with a strike rate of 142.98 and taking 12 wickets at an average of 26.33.

The hard-hitting all-rounder is an integral member of this squad and his abilities would be put to test against a quality side like Pakistan.

Spinners

#8 Rashid Khan

The Afghanistan teenage sensation, Rashid Khan has risen among the ranks like no one else. He is the No.1 ranked T-20 bowler in world cricket at the moment. The SRH spinner took 17 wickets in the 2017 IPL edition at an astounding economy rate of just 6.62.

With his googlies and change of pace, Rashid will give a tough competition to a strong Pakistani middle order. It would be interesting to see how the likes of Babar Azam and Sarfraz Khan handle the young leg-spinner.

#9 Yuzvendra Chahal

The current world No. 2 and RCB’s ace spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal is the second spinner in this lineup. Chahal has picked 70 wickets in his IPL career with an economy rate of 7.90 and an average of 22.41.

The leg-spinner has many good variations like change of pace, googly, going wide of the crease and changing the angles. He is at his best when batsmen try to attack him. Chahal would form a perfect combination with Rashid Khan as the duo will try to spin a web against the Pakistani middle order.

Pacers

#10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The purple cap holder of the previous IPL edition, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is now among the best bowlers in World cricket. His records speak for themselves.

In his IPL career, he has picked up 111 wickets in 90 matches with a strike rate of 12.07 and an economy rate of 7.08. He bowls in the powerplay, he bowls at death and can hit a few runs with the bat as well. ,

With some added pace, a perfect yorker and addition of knuckleball to his bag of tricks, Bhuvi is one of the complete bowlers and Pakistani batsman would surely find it hard to him out of the ground.

#11 Jasprit Bumrah

When it comes to limited overs cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is definitely one of the best out there. Mumbai Indians' gift to the World cricket, Bumrah is now among the finest bowlers in the world.

An unorthodox action, subtle changes of pace and a pinpoint yorker makes it impossible for the batsmen to hit him for runs. He is among the very best bowling at the death as well. His battle against the young Pakistani opener, Fakhar Zaman, and lower order Batsman Shoaib Malik would be interesting to watch.