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The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League has come to an end. Chennai Super Kings making a comeback after Two-year ban emerged out as the Champion franchise. Shane Watson smashed an unbeaten 117 off just 57 balls to power CSK to an eight-wicket win over SunRisers Hyderabad in the final at the Wankhede Stadium. This was CSK's third IPL title and came quite easily against SRH.
The Australian all-rounder started his innings sluggishly with 10 dot balls but soon changed the course of the game. There's no doubt that this was Watson's best IPL knock in his entire career.
For a team like Chennai Super Kings, there are a lot of factors that helped them to win the title. But one thing that stands them apart is the fact that they were able to build a core team that was similar to their last season appearance.
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As the league has ended, it will be interesting to see a playing XI that could have beaten the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.
Here's an IPL 2018 playing XI that would have challenged the CSK side in the finals:
Openers- KL Rahul
The Kings XI Punjab opener, KL Rahul wouldn't have had a better outing in the IPL. He looked in sublime form and played numerous outstanding innings this season. He also scored the fastest IPL half-century of IPL in his very first match this season.
The 26-year-old Indian batsman managed to score 659 runs in the 14 league matches he played. He definitely finds a place in the playing XI that could have beaten CSK in the finals.
Virat Kohli (Captain)
Accompanying Rahul in the opening slot could be the Royal Challengers Skipper, Virat Kohli. He was in super touch as always and smashed the ball right from the middle of the bat. Kohli did have a few flops this season, but he never looked itchy or in any manner, out of form. This pair represented the RCB team in 2016 season of IPL.
The way these two batsmen would have slaughtered the CSK bowlers would have been a treat to watch for the fans.
Number 3: Kane Williamson
Without any hesitation, Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper will feature at the number 3 spot. He had a fantastic IPL season this summer, scoring 735 runs in 17 matches. He became the third highest run-getter in a single IPL season, only behind David Warner and Virat Kohli.
Williamson had to fill in the big shoes of David Warner, not just as a captain but as an attacking top order batsman for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Though he wasn't able to take his team to the finish line, the Kiwi player impressed everyone with his extraordinary T20 skills. Hence, he would definitely feature in the playing XI that could face CSK's final team.
Number 4- AB de Villiers
The former South African legend, AB de Villiers has had the hardest of lucks when it comes to winning in international tournaments and domestic leagues. But when it comes to his individual performances, AB has rarely disappointed the viewers. His ability to play in every corner of the ground makes him on the most dangerous players of this format.
In IPL 2018, ABD featured in 12 games for RCB and scored 480 runs at a fierce strike-rate of 174. He definitely has the calibre to challenge the CSK bowlers who bowled decently in the finals and thus finds a number 4 place in the playing XI.
Number 5: Rishabh Pant
Recipient of the Emerging Player of the Season and the Most Stylish Player awards, the Delhi Daredevils' wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant shocked everyone with the way he played. He scored 684 runs in 14 encounters scoring at destructive strike-rate of 173.
If any Delhi player could feature in the playing XI that could beat the title winners- CSK, would only be Rishabh Pant.
Number 6: Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper)
Dinesh Karthik is one of the most consistent wicketkeeper-batsmen in the circuit. With a wealth of experience behind the stumps and with the bat, Karthik had the best IPL season in his career. At an impressive average of close to 50, KKR skipper score 498 runs in 16 matches.
Wicket-keepers who could challenge the batting skills of CSK's wicket-keeper, MS Dhoni, would definitely be only Karthik himself along with Rishabh Pant.
All-Rounders
Number 7: Andre Russell
The most exciting talent to emerge from the Caribbean in recent times is surely Andre Russell. The West Indian all-rounder has established a fear in the bowlers' mind through his monstrous hitting. Though Russell suffered from injuries, he never under-performed for his team.
In the 16 matches for KKR, Russell scored 316 runs at a strike-rate of 18 also managed to pick 13 wickets.
Number 8: Sunil Narine
Russell's fellow countrymen, Sunil Narine too had an exceptional season both with the bat and ball. He scored 357 runs and took 17 wickets in the 16 games he played. Narine also received the super striker award for having the highest strike-rate(189.89) this season.
Interestingly, both Russell and Narine were retained by KKR ahead of IPL 2018. Both these players would have definitely posted a challenge for CSK had they played the final against them.
Bowlers
Number 9: Rashid Khan
The nineteen year Afghanistan player, Rashid Khan is currently one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. He has dazzled the world with his distinguished bowling class. He managed to surprise the greatest players of the format in Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and MS Dhoni.
The Afghan bowler took 21 wickets in the season and bowled at an economy of under 7.
Number 10: Siddarth Kaul
The 28-year-old right-arm pacer, Siddarth Kaul performed better than his SRH teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kaul bowled regularly in the powerplay and death overs. More often than not, he provided breakthroughs for SRH at crucial times.
Kaul managed to pick 21 wickets with economy slightly in excess of 8.
Number 10: Andrew Tye
The Perth-born right-arm medium fast bowler, Andrew Tye was crowned with the Purple Cap in this season. Tye became the mainstream bowler for Kings XI Punjab and managed to pick 24 wickets in the 14 league matches that he played.
He picked up wickets for KXIP at regular intervals and was one of the main reasons for KXIP's decent performance along with KL Rahul.
He would have definitely played a vital role in the team that could have beaten CSK in the finals.
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