When the Indian Premier League was first launched, beyond the big bucks, the superstars and the world of glamour stood the core idea of providing young Indian cricketers a platform. A platform where they could experience the pressures of an international game without having played international cricket, a platform where they would get to rub shoulders with the modern greats, a platform which would catapult them into the limelight.
Overnight, the IPL became a success for this very reason – the platform gave birth to countless Indian heroes, who enthralled the masses playing alongside players who would have been their opponents on any given day. Cricket had truly been globalised.
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After nine seasons of this cricketing extravaganza, it is time to break the tournament apart and pit India against the Rest of the World. Out of those playing in the current edition of the IPL, how would an ideal all-time India XI and an all-time ROW XI based on IPL performances look like?
IPL INDIA XI
Gautam Gambhir (Captain)
Turning around the fortunes of one of the worst performing franchises of the IPL is something that Gambhir is seldom acknowledged for. With a success rate as good as MS Dhoni’s, Gambhir pips the Indian skipper to the captain’s spot. He has done well with the bat as well, secured nicely in the top three run-getters of the tournament with 3472 runs at an average of 31!
Rohit Sharma
India’s premier limited overs batsman slots in as Gambhir’s opening partner. After initial years of brilliance with the Hyderabad franchise, Sharma became a mainstay in the Mumbai Indians line-up, even captaining the team to a come from behind title win in 2015. Sharma is second in the all-time run getter’s list and has a solitary hundred to his name.
Virat Kohli
Unlike many of his peers, Kohli took time to find his feet in the IPL, but once he did, boy did he show the world how to bat. The Indian modern day great has 3570 runs across nine seasons for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. In recent years, he has stamped his authority on the opposition with some prolific batting performances. However, a Championship continues to elude him.
Suresh Raina
There’s a joke that goes around each time Raina experiences a drop in form in the international arena. The joke suggests that Raina’s in-form seasons are April and May, months that coincide with the IPL’s timeline. Such has been Raina’s performances over the years that it is impossible to leave out the tournament’s highest run getter from any IPL related XI.
Robin Uthappa
Uthappa has played for four different franchises, but found his true calling while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The top-order batsman added a new dimension in his play when he took up wicket-keeping, and can be a handy backup to MS Dhoni in this line-up. Uthappa has scored a shade over 3200 runs and has 67 dismissals to his name when behind the stumps.
Yusuf Pathan
IPL season one’s find finds a place in this line-up for the explosive power that he provides lower down the order. While Pathan’s abilities with the bat have waned over the years, he remains a threat nonetheless (ask Sunrisers Hyderabad). His 2546 runs at a strike-rate of 148 while he has also taken 41 wickets to show his true worth as an all-rounder.
MS Dhoni (WK)
There are very few in the business who can score over 3000 runs at an average of nearly 40 and a strike-rate of nearly 140, batting lower down in a tournament that is known for its top order players. Add his lightning-quick keeping skills to the mix and you have the perfect wicket-keeper batsman.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Miserly, skilful, wise – Ashwin is a must have in any IPL team. As the tournament has progressed over the years, the off-spinner’s skills with the ball have expanded. A traditional stock delivery has been mixed up with carrom balls and doosras, making Ashwin one of the best bets to bowl early on with the new ball and in the middle overs. With 93 wickets so far in the IPL, he has proved to be a nightmare for the batsmen.
Amit Mishra
Mishy is the rare exception in an age that has seen the decline in leg-spin bowling. In over a hundred games, the leg-spinner from Haryana has picked 119 scalps at an average of 22.76, second only to Lasith Malinga. While his fielding might be below par, he sure makes up for it with the ball, and is also handy with the bat
Ashish Nehra
An old-timer, Ashish Nehra is going strong and has been one of IPL’s proven performers. The lanky left-armer has picked up 91 wickets while playing for five different franchises. His value in this line-up comes in the form of experience and exceptional death bowling skills.
Mohit Sharma
The second Sharma in this line-up strikes once in every 16.5 deliveries and has risen to become one of the best bowlers to have played the IPL. His exploits with the Chennai Super Kings pushed him towards a national call-up and he has seldom disappointed in this format. His 67 wickets have come at an average of 21.41 and a healthy economy rate.
IPL Rest of the World XI
Chris Gayle
3207 runs at a strike-rate of nearly 153. Five centuries with a top score of 175* and eighteen half centuries - why will anyone not have Chris Gayle opening the innings for ROW XI?
Brendon McCullum (WK)
The recently-retired New Zealand star took the tournament by storm when he unleashed an unbeaten 158-run knock in the opening game of the inaugural edition of the IPL and there’s been no looking back for him since then. The majority of his 2135 runs have come while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, however some of his finest performances have come while opening for Chennai Super Kings.
Shaun Marsh
After a breakthrough first couple of seasons, Marsh became less of a constant in the Kings XI Punjab line-up, more due to his injuries and overseas player status than anything else. But in the 62 games that he has played in, he’s had a tremendous impact with the bat, scoring over 2213 runs at an average of 41.
AB de Villiers (Captain)
The Superman bats at the top of the order. The Superman scores runs at a rate of nearly 150 per 100 deliveries. The Superman can keep and field like a livewire. He has 2890 runs at an average of nearly 40. A utility player who can take the opposition down singlehandedly, ABD is the rightful Captain of the ROW XI.
Shane Watson
Shane Watson was one of the main reasons why inspite of not having big names, Rajasthan Royals became a force to be reckoned with in the IPL. Watson’s MVP status in the team comes from the fact that he can win games with either the bat (2472 runs at a strike-rate of 142) or the ball (70-wickets at an average of 27.55). And at times when he ends up doing both, it’s troubled times for the opposition.
Dwayne Bravo
The Champion lies pretty, third in the highest wicket-takers list with 115 wickets at an exceptional average of 22.14. While his economy might be on the higher side because he bowls mostly in the death, he makes up for it with his quick wicket taking abilities. The explosive batting skills are sure to come handy while batting lower down.
Kieron Pollard
While many will remember Pollard for his antics on the field, including the famous duel with Mitchell Starc of Australia, the West Indian all-rounder has some great numbers supporting his inclusion in this XI. In 101 games, Pollard has 56 wickets to go with the 1873 runs he has scored for the Mumbai Indians at a strike-rate of nearly 150.
Albie Morkel
A cricketer in the mould of Lance Klusener, Morkel can play multiple roles for his team. He can be the floater, batting up the order in order to score quick runs, or be the finisher – winning the match with the equation at 18 from 7 deliveries. But it is with the ball in hand that he provides the most value and his 85 IPL wickets are a testament to that.
Lasith Malinga
Recently injured, the right-arm fast bowler from Sri Lanka showed the world why good death bowling is worth its weight in gold in T20s. The highest wicket-taker in the IPL, Malinga has 143 wickets to his name at an average of 17.80 and an economy of 6.67. The spells also include a rare five-for and as many as four 4-wicket hauls.
Sunil Narine
Not having the mystery spinner in the ranks is a big mistake, a mistake that no ROW XI should commit in the IPL. From Narine who? Sunil Narine became one of the most feared names in the opposition team sheets. An arsenal of variations, and great control over the pitch of the delivery saw Narine pick up 80 wickets in 61 games. His performances in 2012 and 2014 earned his side the Championship.
Dale Steyn
Arguably the world’s best out and out pace bowler has 92 victims to his name in India’s marquee competition. He bowls with ferocity and can do more than a good job with the new ball. Although his form has dipped in recent years, he still remains one of the finest bowlers to have donned IPL colours.
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