IPL 2019: Best Indian XI vs Overseas XI of the tournament

IPL 2019 enthralled all the cricket fans with some spectacular treats. The roller coaster ride of this journey was such close, that it wasn't decided till the last day that which team would finish where in the points table. In the end, Mumbai Indians edged out Chennai Super Kings in one of the best finals of the tournament.

Undoubtedly, there were many teams and individual performances that won the hearts of everyone. The players put their best foot forward to entertain all of us. Various batsmen and bowlers stood out firm for their teams and ended up creating some nice records as well.

The comparison between Indian and foreign players is always entertaining to have a look at. On this note, let us take a look at a match-up between the best Indian and Foreigners' XI from the tournament.

#1 KL Rahul vs David Warner (Captain)

David Warner and KL Rahul, feature as the openers. They stand first and second in the list of highest run-getters in the IPL 2019, with 692 and 522 runs to their name. Even though a gigantic 170 runs separate these two, both have been consistent performers for their teams. Both have a century each and they averaged above 50.

Warner has scored above 600 in his last three seasons. The southpaw has multiple dimensions in his game. On one hand, he can fire at a strike rate above 200, and on the other, he can also steady the innings and build a partnership. That is why he has been the best overseas player in IPL history. He will also lead his XI.

KL Rahul might not be as explosive but he can single-handedly take the game away from the opposition on his day. With Chris Gayle on the other side, his performance has become even better. He has scored above 500 in the last two seasons and has been one of the few reasons for KXIP to smile.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan vs Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan have been neck-to-neck performers in this IPL. Both have been the backbone to their teams. 76 runs separate Dhawan from Bairstow but he played more matches than the latter. Therefore, these two players feature as the second openers in their XI.

Bairstow, who wasn't expected to excel in the tournament, turned out to be a key player for the team. He made a statement only in his second match, where he scored 114 runs against RCB. He did not stop there and smashed many other match-winning knocks, and that too at a strike rate of 157.

Dhawan was lukewarm in the initial games, but he struck the form at the right time. He scored an unbeaten 97 against KKR, his best knock in his IPL career till date, and there was no looking back from there on. In a young DC team, he took the responsibility for being a consistent performer.

#3 Virat Kohli vs AB Divilliers

They belong from different countries, but their friendship and contribution to the RCB team can't be matched. In a rather forgettable season for RCB, these two counterparts were the only reason for their fans to smile. Both featured in the top ten run getters, with more than 440 runs to their name.

Virat Kohli, who recently broke the record to become the highest run-getter in the IPL history, has been a consistent performer for his team for 10 years now. He was hot and cold in this IPL but certainly played some impactful and match winning innings, scoring 448 runs.

On the other hand, AB de Villiers has once again lived up to his reputation of being Mr. 360 degrees. He smashed five half-centuries, at an average of 49 and a strike rate above 150. But both of them didn't get any support from their other teammates.

#4 Shreyas Iyer vs Steve Smith

These teams need a player who can build the innings if required. There is enough firepower in both the sides, but not any champion innings builder. Therefore, Shreyas Iyer and Steve Smith have been chosen.

Smith had a nice return to the IPL. He scored 319 runs in 10 matches, but his overall impact was way more than that. He played a supportive role in multiple innings, and his captaincy was exceptional. With his brilliant leadership, he brought his team very close to qualify for the playoffs.

On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer was pretty consistent. He seemed clear about his role with the bat. He built the innings well, as he did against CSK, as well as scored in the fifth gear when needed. He was the third highest scorer for DC and 9th in the list of highest run-getters in this IPL.

#5 MS Dhoni (Captain, WK) vs Quinton de Kock (WK)

MS Dhoni and Quinton de Kock have been the backbone and the top-run getters for their teams in IPL 2019. More importantly, none of these two have got much support from their top-order. These two will be the wicket-keepers in the two sides.

MS Dhoni scored 416 runs in 15 matches and was the one of the very few players in this season to average above 80. His wicket-keeping and captaincy have been one step ahead of others. He has been the lone warrior in the brittle batting unit of CSK. Due to his supreme skills, the 'Captain Cool' will also lead the Indian XI.

De Kock, who was traded to MI due to his poor outing in 2018, turned out to be the masterstroke for the team. He scored 529 runs and overshadowed the poor performances of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.

#6 Hardik Pandya vs Andre Russell

When bowlers ball them, they just pray to somehow complete the over and get away with the nightmare. Such is the fear of bowling these two, that the bowlers often end up bowling wides or no-balls.

Both have been known to torment the bowling attacks. While Andre Russell had a strike rate of 205, Hardik Pandya's was 193. Both were consistent finishers for their teams and their solution wasn't found throughout. Russell even stood fourth in the list of highest run-getters in this IPL. They share a total of 91 sixes, which is way more than the total sixes hit by DC (66) and RR (63) in this IPL!

These two have been handy with the ball as well. Pandya had 14 wickets to his name, whereas Russell took 11 wickets. These two feature as the main all-rounders in their respective XIs.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja vs Moeen Ali

The two left-handers remained huge X-factors for their respective teams. Their all-around shows played a key role in many of the victories of CSK and RCB. Therefore, they will feature as the second all-rounders in the Indian and Foreigners' XI respectively.

Moeen Ali, who was playing just his second season, scored 220 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 165.41. Who can forget his 66 runs inning against KKR, where he had smashed Kuldeep Yadav for 26 runs in a single over. That played a key role in RCB's victory in that match. To back his batting performances, he also took six wickets at an impressive economy of 6.76.

Ravindra Jadeja yet again turned out to be a match-winner for CSK. He scored 106 runs in 16 matches, which included some excellent cameos in the end. He also took 15 wickets at an economy of just 6.36.

#8 Yuzvendra Chahal vs Rashid Khan

Two of the biggest finds of the IPL, Rashid Khan and Yuzuvendra Chahal have left no stone unturned to impress and entertain their fans in IPL 2019. This has not been the best of the seasons for their teams, but they have stood strong and have done their best. Not to anyone's surprise, both stand in the top 10 wicket takers.

Chahal scalped 18 wickets in 14 matches. Let's not forget that he has played seven of these matches on Chinnaswamy track, which is a graveyard for the bowlers. His economy of 7.86 is another proof of his spectacular performance .

On the other hand, Rashid Khan, who remained cold in the beginning of the season, struck form at the time when it mattered the most. He took 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 6.28 runs per over. His double wicket maiden over in the eliminator against DC was a testimony of his dominance.

#9 Jasprit Bumrah vs Kagiso Rabada

When a captain wants a wicket, he will definitely go to these two bowlers. No matter what the situation is, these two will always deliver for you. And that is why they are hailed as two of the best bowlers in the world.

Kagiso Rabada has had a dream outing in IPL 2019. He scalped 25 wickets in 12 matches and was on the verge of breaking all-time IPL record of most wickets, which is held by Dwayne Bravo. However, injury ruled him out of the tournament.

Jasprit Bumrah finished with 19 wickets in his kitty, but his impact and contribution was far more than that. Bowling the penultimate over, he sealed many matches for his team, the best example being his 4-run over against RCB. He conceded just 4 runs in the penultimate over in the final, which helped MI to clinch their 4th IPL title.

#10 Shreyas Gopal vs Imran Tahir

When you compare the experience and success of both, Shreyas Gopal does not have to show much in front of Imran Tahir. But he standing neck to neck with the latter is the beauty of the IPL. It has allowed the younger players to challenge some of the best players in the world.

Tahir had been the go-to bowler for CSK. He scalped 26 wickets from 17 matches at an economy of 6.6. He finished first in the list of leading wicket-takers in this IPL, just a solitary wicket ahead of his country mate Kagiso Rabada.

Gopal, who was one of the biggest emerging talents last year, proved that he is not a one-season wonder. He has scalped 20 wickets from 14 matches and stood 3rd in the Purple Cap list. Who can forget his hatrick against RCB, which included Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. In a season where RR was ordinary at their best, he turned out to be one of the few reasons for them to smile.

#11 Khaleel Ahmad vs Lasith Malinga

Comeback - this is the what both Khaleel Ahmed and Lasith Malinga have done in style. While the former wasn't even considered to be worthy of being in the playing XI during the initial matches, he turned out to be the biggest match-winner for the team. Malinga, who went unsold in the last year's auctions, showed that there is still enough fuel left in him.

Khaleel played his first match of the season against Delhi Capitals (SRH's 7th match), scalped 3 wickets in his 4 overs. He went on to feature in the top 10 wicket takers list, with 17 wickets in just 8 matches.

Lasith Malinga showed yet again that old is gold. He scalped 16 wickets from 12 matches, with two 4-wicket hauls to his name. Although his economy wasn't very good (9.69), he bowled and took wickets during the death overs, including the brilliant title-winning over in the final.

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Edited by Aditya Joshi