IPL 2019: Best all-rounders' XI

All-rounders play a very pivotal role in the success of any T20 team. A quality all-rounder is a prerequisite to attain the right team balance.

Over the years several multi-faceted cricketers like Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard have produced a string of match-winning performances and enthralled their fans.

The auction process for the upcoming IPL season has been completed, and all the teams tried to build a balanced squad by purchasing quality all-rounders. But not all teams were successful in this task as the likes of RCB and KXIP still don't have a top class all-rounder in their ranks.

On the other hand, teams like CSK, Mumbai Indians and KKR are well equipped with quality all-rounders and are being considered as early favorites to win the 2019 IPL.

Now let's take a look at the best all-rounders' XI from the players who have been picked for the upcoming edition of the IPL:

---

#1 Openers: Shane Watson and Sunil Narine

Shane Watson

Shane Watson has been an integral part of the IPL ever since its inception. He played a crucial role in the victorious campaign of Rajasthan Royals during the inaugural season in 2008. Since then, he has been a consistent performer for all the teams he has represented.

He even captained the Rajasthan Royals team after the retirement of Shane Warne. After a lengthy spell with the Royals, he had to move away due to the two-year ban imposed on the Rajasthan franchise.

Post that he had a rather unsuccessful two-year stint with the RCB team. His stock fell considerably after that association, but his fortunes turned around when he was picked by CSK during the IPL 2018 auctions.

In 2018 Watson turned the clock back and produced some match-winning performances. He played a vital role in the final against SRH as he scored an unbeaten century to help CSK clinch the IPL trophy for the 3rd time.

He will be entrusted with the responsibility to open the innings for this all-rounders' XI given his outstanding record and experience in the league.

Left-handed KKR all-rounder Sunil Narine would be the perfect partner for Watson. He can provide early impetus and allow the Australian some time to adjust to the playing conditions.

Narine has been used as a pinch-hitting opener by the KKR franchise in the last few years, and he has been relatively successful in that role. He will be the enforcer in this line-up which consists of star all-rounders from all the IPL teams.

#2 Middle Order - AB de Villiers (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Ben Stokes, Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya

Pandya brothers

Former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers will be the one down batsmen in this star-studded line-up. He will also double up as the team's wicket-keeper.

De Villiers used to bowl slow medium pace a couple of years ago, which coupled with his wicketkeeping abilities make him an eligible candidate to enter this XI. The South African will also be leading this XI.

Shakib Al Hasan has been one of the best all-rounders in the world during the last decade. His ability as an attacking middle-order batsman coupled with his uncanny left-arm orthodox spin make him a valuable addition to any T20 side in the world.

Ben Stokes had a great start to his IPL career in 2017 as he helped Rising Super Giant reach the final of the tournament. He then moved to Rajasthan Royals in the last season but failed to replicate the same success he had with the Pune franchise.

This time around he will be looking to erase the bitter memories of last year and perform to the best of his abilities. He has been showing signs of returning to form in recent times, which should gladden the hearts of Rajasthan fans.

The Mumbai Indians franchise's primary all-rounders - the Pandya brothers - round off the middle order of this XI.

#3 Lower Order - Andre Russell, Chris Morris, Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer

Rashid Khan

Andre Russell is regarded as one of the best T20 all-rounders ever because of his match-winning ability with both bat and ball. On numerous occasions, for the KKR franchise as well as for various franchises he has represented around the globe, Russell has single-handedly won the game by playing an imperious knock. He is also more than a handy bowler who has the ability to provide crucial breakthroughs.

Chris Morris has blown hot and cold in the last one year due to recurring fitness issues, but before that, he was the primary all-rounder of the South African national team as well as the Delhi Daredevils team in the IPL. He has the ability to bowl quickly and is very good at the death.

Morris along with Jofra Archer will be the primary fast bowlers in this XI. Both of them also have the ability to hit big sixes when the necessity arises.

Rashid Khan's batting ability came into the limelight last year when he scored some crucial runs for SRH team in the Qualifiers. Since then he has been consistently displaying his hitting prowess in various T20 leagues around the world.

Rashid will be the primary spinner in this side. He is currently the world's number 1 ranked ODI all-rounder, which backs his inclusion in this star-studded XI.

Final XI:

Shane Watson, Sunil Narine, AB de Villiers (c & wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Ben Stokes, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Andre Russell, Chris Morris, Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer