IPL 2020: Best XI from MI, SRH, CSK, and RCB for the all-star game

Some of the key details regarding the new season of the Indian Premier League were announced a couple of days back and since have been the centre of discussion. No-ball umpires will be in action and they will be the ones in charge of supervising no-balls. Concussion substitutes have also been given the green signal for the first time in IPL cricket.

However, the biggest talking point was undoubtedly the all-star fixture which will feature players from all eight franchises. It is likely that one of the teams will be from the North and East made up of players from Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals. The other team will feature players from the Southern and Western teams in the form of Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

It is going to be a mouth-watering affair as this will give fans the opportunity to see the best players in the world playing against each other. The team from the South and West has some of the biggest names in the game, and picking an XI from the options available would be an incredibly challenging task.

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Openers: David Warner and Jonathon Bairstow

He is arguably the best opener in the IPL (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

David Warner has established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the IPL and he has arguably been the most consistent player in the tournament since 2014. On his comeback from suspension last season, he was outstanding as he managed to win the Orange Cap. The Australian's inclusion will be a no-brainer due to his ability to destroy opposition bowlers from the onset of his innings.

Jonny Bairstow had a great debut season last season (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Also see – ICC Under 19 world cup winners list

There are several players like Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma, and Chris Lynn who could open with Warner, but Jonny Bairstow might edge the others out. He formed a devastating partnership with Warner last season and it was their performances that carried SRH into the playoffs.

He had a dream debut campaign as he was amongst the best batsmen last season and his aggressive style of play will help the team utilise the powerplay overs. He would also provide the advantage of forming a left hand-right hand combination.

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and AB de Villiers

Virat Kohli will be the center of attraction in this star-studded team (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Virat Kohli is the highest run scorer in the history of the IPL and along with AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, he has carried RCB for the last 10 years. He has always been a consistent performer and being one of the best batsmen in the world, it is an easy decision to include him in this XI.

In this team filled with power-hitters, Kohli would play the role of an anchor before launching an attack on the bowlers during the death overs.

Rohit Sharma could bat in the middle order (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Rohit Sharma hasn't been at his best during the last two seasons of the IPL and he will want to change that. He has been in terrific form over the last year and has piled on the runs for India across all formats of the game.

The Mumbai Indians' skipper led his team to a 4th title last season. He could form a highly devastating middle-order combination along with Kohli and AB de Villiers. He could also open the innings in place of Jonny Bairstow, which would allow either Kane Williamson or Kieron Pollard to slot into the team, who are unlucky to miss out.

AB de Villiers is a genius with the bat (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

AB de Villiers is the one player that every T20 team would want to have simply because of his ability to do the impossible. While all the players in this XI are world-class, de Villiers is a different beast altogether when on song and can change the complexion of games within a couple of overs.

The South African has also been a model of consistency and has been among the top performers across the globe over the last two years.

Finishers: MS Dhoni (captain, wicket-keeper) and Hardik Pandya

MS Dhoni will make a comeback in the IPL (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

MS Dhoni hasn't played any form of cricket since India's defeat to New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final and it looks as though, the all-star game could be his first professional game in nine months.

He was in great form for CSK last season and single handedly carried their batting lineup. The wicket-keeper batsman will be the obvious choice for captaincy, and he will look to get himself back into the groove with the help of this contest.

Hardik Pandya is currently injured (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Hardik Pandya has been out injured for a while now, and he might make his comeback just before the IPL starts in the ODIs against South Africa. Like Dhoni, even Pandya would want to utilise this game to get back into full rhythm before the tournament starts. He will function as the all-rounder in this XI and will be responsible for finishing off the innings with the bat along with the captain.

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Imran Tahir

Rashid Khan is the best spinner in the world at present (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Rashid Khan would definitely be an automatic selection when it comes to the bowling department. He has grown leaps and bounds and has firmly established himself as the world's premier spinner.

The former Afghanistan captain has been SRH's main strike bowler over the last two seasons and will continue to perform a similar role this season as well. The leg-spinner can bowl at any stage of the game which makes him an extremely valuable player.

Jasprit Bumrah is amongst the best death bowlers in the world (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Jasprit Bumrah will be the first-choice fast bowler in this XI, and it is for obvious reasons. His ability to perform well during the death overs is just phenomenal, and he rarely has an off-day. He recently made his comeback after an injury and has played well in most of the games. The Mumbai Indians pacer will have to play an important role for his team during the course of this game.

Trent Boult was traded from Delhi Capitals to the Mumbai Indians (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

There are quite a few bowlers who could have been selected as the second fast bowler in this team, but in the end it was Trent Boult. Although Lasith Malinga, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Chris Morris are all good bowlers, it is Boult who has the ability to pick up wickets and at the same time stem the flow of runs.

The Kiwi pacer is excellent during all phases of the game and will provide the captain with a different option as he is a left-arm bowler.

Imran Tahir is still going strong at the age of 40 (Image credits: IPLT20/BCCI)

Imran Tahir and Yuzvendra Chahal are both proven leg-spinners, but only one of them can be accommodated in this XI. Chahal hasn't been in great form of-late whereas Tahir has been prolific over the last few months.

If this pattern continues, it is highly likely that the South African veteran will be chosen over the RCB bowler. Moreover, Tahir also won the Purple Cap last season which strengthens his case for inclusion.