IPL 2018: CSK vs SRH, Combined XI

An epic clash is on the cards, and the cricket fans all over the world are guaranteed a treat when the two most dominant teams in this year's campaign go head-to-head at the Wankhede for the ultimate prize, the glittering Indian Premier League 2018 trophy.

Both the teams have been exceptional this season, and we have seen some stand-out performances from some of their players. But what if we made a combined XI of the two teams based on this year's performances?

OPENERS

#1 Shikhar Dhawan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Dhawan has had a good season in the on-going edition and has been one of the most important cogs in the batting wheel for the Sunrisers. The orange army are predominantly a well-oiled bowling side, but their batting exploits haven't been up to the mark.

The side is heavily dependent on Dhawan and Williamson in the batting department and the inability of the others in the team to put runs on the board may prove to be a huge headache for Tom Moody's side in the final. Dhawan needs to crank up runs at the top of the order, and that will be of great importance in their quest to lift the trophy.

IPL Stats - Matches: 15 | Runs: 471 | Avg: 39.25 | S/R: 139.34

#2 Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)

Everyone was surprised when the 36-year-old Australian, Shane Watson was picked by CSK during the IPL auctions this year. At his age, everyone had written him off, but he has proven that he still has the power game to be one of the finest players of the modern era.

His batting exploits have been crucial in giving CSK good starts in many of the matches. His ability to chip in with a few overs makes him one of the first names on Fleming's team-sheet.

IPL Stats (Batting) - Matches: 14 | Runs: 438 | Avg: 31.28 | S/R: 145.03

IPL Stats (Bowling) - Matches: 14 | Wickets: 6 | Eco: 8.96 | Avg: 41.83 | S/R: 28.00

MIDDLE ORDER

#3 Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

When David Warner was ruled out of the IPL's 11th edition, the SRH management surprisingly handed the captain's armband to Kane Williamson. He has had an exceptional season, and his maverick leadership has played a huge role in the orange army's IPL success. His consistency has been second to none, and the Kiwi skipper is the current owner of the Orange Cap. In the final, he holds the key to SRH's success.

IPL Stats - Matches: 16 | Runs: 688 | Avg: 52.92 | S/R: 143.33

#4 Ambati Rayudu (Chennai Super Kings)

Rayudu has just played 34 One-Day Internationals and six Twenty 20s for India but has a whopping average of 50.24 in ODIs including two centuries and six fifties. He never got a decent run in the team, but he always made the best use of the opportunities thrown at him. CSK reposed faith on this hugely underrated player, and it has now paid rich dividends. His batting prowess will once again come in handy for the Super Kings and he needs to silence his critics, once and for all.

IPL Stats - Matches: 15 | Runs: 586 | Avg: 41.85 | S/R: 153.00

#5 Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

The left-handed batsman struggled initially this season but has found form just at the right time for CSK and undoubtedly will be very important for them in the final. His playoff record in the IPL has been exceptional, and Dhoni will be banking on Raina more than ever to tear apart the Sunrisers' exquisite bowling lineup.

IPL Stats - Matches: 14 | Runs: 413 | Avg: 37.54 | S/R: 132.37

#6 MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) (Captain)

Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings - IPL T20 — MS Dhoni

Dhoni is a creative magician that can guide any team to glory. He has reinstated the winning mentality in the CSK dugout and has been scripting a resurgence story for himself. He has rightly reclaimed his stature as one of the most destructive batsmen in the world. He has silenced his critics through some blitzkrieg knocks for CSK in this year's edition. His crazy tactics need to work against the Sunrisers in the final for CSK to lift yet another trophy.

IPL Stats - Matches: 15 | Runs: 455 | Avg: 75.83 | S/R: 150.66

ALL-ROUNDER

#7 Shakib Al Hasan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Shakib has been Williamson's secret weapon. He may not have set the IPL on fire but has weaved his magic by stitching important partnerships in the middle, and also by picking crucial wickets for the team. His immense experience has come in handy, and his contributions have been extremely crucial for them. He also has been economical in the low scoring matches, and the Bangladesh skipper will have to be at his absolute best against the men in yellow in the final.

IPL Stats (Batting) - Matches: 16 | Runs: 216 | Avg: 21.60 | S/R: 118.68

IPL Stats (Bowling) - Matches: 16 | Wickets: 14 | Eco: 7.87 | Avg: 31.50 | S/R: 24.00

FAST BOWLERS

#8 Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings)

Deepak Chahar gets the nod ahead of Shardul Thakur in this list. There is nothing exceptional about Chahar's figures, providing breakthroughs just 10 times in 11 matches, but he had a decisive role in CSK's journey to the finals. He has become Dhoni's go-to guy in the powerplays. All his wickets have come in the powerplays, and he has made a name for himself as the most efficient player in the bowling department. Dhoni utilizes him very well, and he could be a game changer for CSK in the final.

IPL Stats - Matches: 11 | Wickets: 10 | Eco: 7.40 | Avg: 25.30 | S/R: 28.00

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Bhuvi has had a dismal IPL campaign by his standards. He made a strong comeback against CSK in the first qualifier, and Williamson will be counting on him to provide that lethal flair in the bowling lineup. Even though Thakur and Sandeep Sharma had a better season, the fast bowling department needed a leader and hence, Bhuvi earns a spot in this side.

IPL Stats - Matches: 11 | Wickets: 9 | Eco: 7.99 | Avg: 37.44 | S/R: 28.11

#10 Siddarth Kaul (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Kaul has been the surprise package of this year's IPL. He has exceeded everyone's expectations and has been a lethal force in the SRH lineup. When Bhuvi had a tough time finding his rhythm, Kaul took charge of the bowling department. He has been one of the most impressive fast bowlers of the tournament, only behind KXIP's Andrew Tye. His performance in the death overs will be crucial in the final and CSK have a huge task in taming the bowling of the orange army.

IPL Stats - Matches: 16 | Wickets: 21 | Eco: 8.00 | Avg: 24.00 | S/R: 18.00

SPINNER

#11 Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad - IPL T20 — An Absolute Beast

The Afghanistan teenage spin sensation has been on a roll this season. There is a common notion that spinners leak runs in the shorter format of the game, but, here, we have this man who has been highly economical, taking wickets with ease in what is said to be a batsman's game. He also played a match-winning cameo with the bat against KKR in the second qualifier. He will be Williamson's trump card against CSK and Dhoni's men will be hoping for a miracle to stop Rashid Khan.