IPL 2019: The all-time XI of players who will play this season

The 12th season of the Indian Premier League is upon us. It seems only yesterday that the BCCI took this revolutionary step which ended up changing the landscape of the Indian cricket. It not only made cricketers billionaires, but also helped to develop them in all aspects of the game.

IPL 12 promises to be yet another blockbuster. It will be yet another platform for talent to meet opportunities. Although the main focus has been the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, IPL has its own place in the hearts of all the cricketing fans. It is one of the biggest cricket carnivals, which all the players, officials, and broadcasters keenly look forward to.

So, ahead of the season opener, let's build an all-time IPL 11 with the players who will play the 2019 season. It will not contain the players who will not play this season and those who have already retired. It will contain seven Indians and four overseas players.

#1 Chris Gayle

3994 runs in 111 innings; Average: 41.47; Strike Rate: 150.71; 50/100: 24/6; 4s/6s: 324/292

Chris Gayle needs no introduction. The world knows that he is the king of T20 cricket. He has the ability to demolish every bowling attack. However, the Jamaican did not enjoy a particularly good stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, scoring just 463 in runs in the two seasons combined.

He went unsold in the 2011 season but when Dirk Nannes of Royal Challengers Bangalore was injured, Gayle was roped in as a replacement. It was quite a turnaround. He went on to win the Orange Cap in two consecutive seasons and then there was no looking back.

The 39-year old now holds the record of most number of sixes and centuries in the history of the tournament. In fact, he also holds the record of the highest individual score in the IPL, which is 175 not out.

Although after an average 2017 season, he was released by the RCB and then he was picked up the Kings XI Punjab for a meagre two crores in 2018. He did prove his worth at the beginning of the season but tapered off towards the end. However, with the kind of form he is in, bowlers will have to be wary of his abilities.

#2 David Warner

4014 runs in 114 innings; Average: 40.54; Strike-Rate: 142.13; 50/100: 36/3; 4s/6s: 401/160

The Australians call David Warner a 'pocket-rocket'. He has been a revelation at the top of the order, first for Delhi Daredevils and then for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has matured with every year and became wittier, with his hitting becoming a lot more measured as he has become more experienced.

He perhaps learned the art of bashing the ball from the word 'go' from Virender Sehwag, his opening partner when he played for Delhi. However, he switched to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014 and that's where he really blossomed.

He led them to their maiden title in 2016. He led them from the front, amassing 848 runs, which was the second-most by any player in one season. He was the Orange Cap holder in the 2015 and 2017 seasons. He also holds the record for the highest individual score by a captain; 126 vs KKR in 2017. What makes him special is the fact that he has the highest run tally by an overseas player in IPL.

After a forgettable year following the sandpaper-gate controversy, he will look to start afresh and set new records.

#3 Virat Kohli

4948 runs in 155 innings, Average: 38.35, Strike-Rate: 130.76; 50/100: 34/4: 4s/6s: 434/178

Virat 'King' Kohliis the master of breaking records, mainly in white-ball cricket. He is only 10 years into his international career and is already regarded by many as the greatest white-ball player ever. In the IPL too, he occupies a special place in the record books, being the second highest run-scorer in the history of the 11 years of IPL.

He had a modest start to his IPL career. His performances prior to the 2011 season were inconsistent and he failed to realize his full potential. After the 2011 season, he has been utterly consistent and a match-winner in a true sense.

The year where he tore apart the record-books was 2016. Not only did he lead his team to the final but also ended up scoring 973 runs - most by any player in a single season. He also smashed four centuries, which is again most by a player in one season.

He has redefined the art of chasing. His conventional yet effective strokeplay makes him an inspiration for youngsters. RCB retained him for 17 crores in the 2018 season, making him the most expensive player in the IPL history.

In spite of all these glittering achievements, he still does not have an IPL trophy in his cabinet. He will wish to win one this season.

#4 Rohit Sharma

4493 runs in 168 innings; Average: 31.86; Strike Rate: 131.02; 50/100: 34/1; 4s/6s: 379/178

The Hitman is one of the all-time IPL greats. Although he took some time to establish himself at the international stage, Rohit Sharma has not been short of brilliant performances in the IPL. He earned his name in international cricket by opening the innings, but in the IPL, he has played mainly in the middle order. So, he will play the role of a key middle-order batsman in this team.

In the first two seasons with Deccan Chargers, he amassed 766 runs, which were enough to prove his ability and talent.

When he switched over to his home franchise Mumbai Indians in 2011, he became an even better player. The real turnaround came in 2013 when he was handed over the captaincy of the Indians. The captaincy duties enhanced his batting abilities and he blossomed under pressure. In the 2013 season, Mumbai went on to win the title and he led from the front, scoring 538 runs in that season.

He led the Mumbai Indians to two more titles in 2015 and 2017. He had a pretty-average 2018, both with the bat as well as the captainship, as Mumbai failed to make the playoffs.

Rohit, who stands at number three in the list of leading run scorers in the tournament, will be hoping for a turnaround in the 2019 season.

#5 Suresh Raina

4985 runs in 172 innings; Average: 34.37; Strike-Rate: 138.47; 50/100: 35/1; 4s/6s: 448/185

No IPL all-time XI can be complete without Suresh Raina; Mr. IPL. Raina who is the leading run-scorer in the history of IPL, has been instrumental to the success of the Chennai Super Kings. He has missed just a solitary game for them in nine seasons. His consistency levels can be shown from the fact that he is the only batsman to have scored over 300 runs in each the 11 seasons of the IPL so far.

Right from the first season, where he scored 421 runs, he has been a match-winner for the Chennai Super Kings. He has been a significant part of the CSK teams that won the trophy in 2010, 2011 and 2018, scoring 520 runs, 483 runs, and 445 runs respectively.

With his ability to play spin really well and finish the innings with a flourish, he will again play a key role for CSK this season. Although he is not quite at his prime currently, he cannot be underestimated.

#6 MS Dhoni

4016 runs in 158 innings; Average: 40.16; Strike-Rate: 138.19; 50/100: 20/0; 4s/6s: 275/186

94 wins and 64 losses in 159 matches as captain.

116 dismissals as wicket-keeper

There are no prizes for guessing that the ''thala" will be the captain of this side. Under him, Chennai Super Kings played nine seasons in which they won three titles, entered the finals seven times and made it to the playoffs in all the nine seasons.

Rohit Sharma could have been another contender, but Dhoni's record speaks for itself. He has won 94 games as a captain. Only Gautam Gambhir comes close with 74 wins. He has the abilty to hold his team together and back his players.

For some reason, youngsters turn into match-winners under his wings. Those who play under him remain in awe of Dhoni. Even as a batsman, he manages to be the seventh-highest run-scorer in IPL history, though he has batted in the lower order all his life. This tells you about the consistency with which he has finished matches for CSK.

His average 40.16 is the best by an Indian in IPL (minimum 500 runs). He has also struck 186 sixes, most by an Indian and second-most overall. He has affected 116 dismissals behind the stumps, second most after Dinesh Kartik's 124. However, he leads the chart as far as the number of stumpings is concerned with 33 stumpings.

Dhoni, who holds the record for most runs by a captain, is the primary reason why CSK enjoys so much support all over the country.

#7 Dwayne Bravo

136 wickets in 118 innings; Average: 23.90; Economy: 8.40; Strike-Rate: 17.06; 4w/5w: 2/0

1379 runs in 92 innings; Average: 23.77; Strike-Rate: 128.39; 50/100: 5/0; 4s/6s: 108/57

Dwayne Bravowill be the all-rounder in this side. He pips Shane Watsonto it owing to his ability to bowl magnificently at the death. He is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL. He won the Purple Cap in 2013, bagging 32 wickets.

He holds the record of most wickets by a bowler in a single season of IPL. His economy of 8.4 is commendable given that he bowls almost all his overs in the second half of the innings.

He has scored almost 1,400 runs at a strike-rate of just below 130, which is more than handy for a lower order batsman. In fact, on several occasions, he has played a key role in the steadying the ship of the innings when the wickets fall early.

If you add his exceptional batting and bowling skills to his gun fielding skills, he becomes quite a package. After an average 2018 season with the ball, he will be keen to make a strong comeback in the 2019 season.

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

120 wickets in 102 innings; Average: 22.44; Economy: 7.15; Strike-Rate: 18.81; 4w/5w: 2/1

When the IPL started, not many would have thought that Indian fast bowlers would be as successful as they are now. One of the most successful Indian fast bowlers is Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. He was the swing-king initially but worked on his game considerably. He has not only added a few yards to his pace, but also a new dimension of death-bowling.

Now, Sunrisers Hyderabad look forward to Kumar both at the top of the innings and at the death. To do this job and have an economy of just over seven is absolutely exceptional. With 120 wickets, he is now the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL.

He has been utterly consistent with his performances with the ball, bagging the Purple Cap for two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017 with 23 and 26 wickets respectively. In fact, he can be handy with the bat too at this position.

At the back half of the 2018 season, he sustained a back injury due to which he has lost his rhythm a little bit. However, SRH will want him at his best for the 2019 season.

#9 Harbhajan Singh

134 wickets in 145 innings; Average: 27.17; Economy: 7.05; Strike-Rate: 23.11; 4w/5w: 1/1

Harbhajan Singhplayed for Mumbai Indians for the first 10 years of the IPL and was a key part of their successful campaign. With 134 wickets, he holds the record for most wickets by an off-spinner in the IPL history and he is the fifth-highest wicket-taker overall.

He has played a good role in not only keeping the runs down in the middle phase of the innings but also in picking up crucial wickets at crucial times. With his wealth of experience and bamboozling variations, he will be the off-spinner of this side.

After playing for 10 years for Mumbai Indians, he was not retained by them for 2018 season and therefore, he became a part of the Yellow Brigade. Playing for CSK in 2018, he managed to pick up seven wickets. He is now the only player to have four IPL trophies, three with the Mumbai Indians and one with the Chennai Super Kings.

#10 Amit Mishra

A lot of people thought IPL would be the end of the road for the leg-spinners but it rather gave them a new life. Now the leggies rule the roost in IPL cricket. When you talk leg-spinners in IPL, you cannot forget the name of Amit Mishra.

He is perhaps one of the most underrated spinners in Indian cricket. He has not played a lot of international cricket but has never failed to make a mark in the IPL every time he played.

He started the season with the Delhi Daredevils picking up 11 and 14 wickets in the first two seasons. His most successful season was 2011 where he picked up 19 wickets for Deccan Chargers. Then, he switched to Sunrisers Hyderabad and currently, he is representing the Delhi Capitals.

He holds the record for most wickets by a spinner in IPL and is the second-highest wicket-taker overall. He has managed to pick up three IPL hat-tricks, each one of those three for a different franchise.

#11 Lasith Malinga

154 wickets in 110 innings; Average: 19.01; Economy: 6.86; Strike-Rate: 16.61; 4w/5w: 4/1

The last member of this team is the great Lasith Malinga. An all-time IPL bowling unit is incomplete without this man. Malinga, who is the leading wicket-taker in the history of IPL, started his career for Mumbai Indians in 2009 where he picked up 18 wickets. His best season came in 2010 where he picked up 28 wickets, helping Mumbai Indians to reach the final.

He played a key role in the 2013 and 2015 triumphs for Mumbai Indians, picking up 20 and 24 wickets respectively. He is regarded by many as the greatest T20 bowler ever owing to his sensational ability to swing the new ball and then to ball pin-point yorkers and slower balls at the death.

He had an average 2017 season, picking up 11 wickets and then he went unsold in the 2018 season. Leaving injuries behind, he will look to start afresh for Mumbai Indians in the 2019 season.

Notable Misses: AB De Villers, Shikhar Dhawan, Sunil Narine, and Shane Watson