With just the final of the IPL4 to go , we are suddenly at the end of the most exiting domestic cricket tournament of the year. Before the start of the IPL I had predicted the four best team in the playoffs to be MI, CSK, KKR and RCB . It turned out to be the same although in a different order. Here is the article
https://www.sportskeeda.com/2011/04/08/ipl-4-starts-today-here-is-a-look-at-the-favourites/
With 73 matches finished and a lot of inspirational performances seen , here is a look at the men who made the difference and stood out from the rest. Here is the IPL4 team of the tournament.
IPL4 DREAM TEAM
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CHRIS GAYLE ( Royal Challengers Bangalore )
If there was a player who single handedly changed the fortunes of his team it was the big hitter from Jamaica. RCB was in tatters when he joined them as a replacement for the injured Dirk Nannes. And he took no time to prove all the IPL teams, that they had erred big time in not taking him.In his first match he took his previous team KKR to the ropes as he scored a century. Before he came RCB had lost 4 out of the 5 matches. After his arrival RCB won 8 of the 9 matches and secured the top spot in the league stages. The player of the tournament without a doubt.
SACHIN TENDULKAR ( Mumbai Indians )
As in the previous version of the IPL , the master blaster carried the responsibility of carrying the Mumbai innings for most the matches. Whenever he went early , the MI innings crumbled. Just shows the importance of the man who has carried the Indian innings on his shoulders for decades. Although his captaincy was not the best, he was at his best while batting. He will be a bit dissapointed that his best innings of a century was in losing cause in this IPL.
VIRAT KOHLI ( Royal Challengers Bangalore )
One of the reasons why RCB are in the finals is because of the awesome form of Virat. Carried the RCB innings in absence of Gayle and played some wonderful innings. The prime contender for the Under 23 success of the tournament , Virat is a player who continues to improve and mature as a player. Just showed how RCB were so right in retaining him this season. Also held the orange cap for a brief period of the tournament.
SHAUN MARSH ( Kings XI Punjab )
Shaun Marsh might have just returned from an injury but he showed no signs of that in this tournament. He was a bit slow to start with but once he gained his confidence he was absolutely great and played like a real gem. Guided his team to wins on numerous occasions and only few of the Australians who really shone in this IPL.
JAQUES KALLIS ( Kolkata Knight Riders )
Mr consistent could not get close to the Orange cap this time around. However he was the batting mainstay of the KKR lineup which made it to the top 4 teams for the first time. He bowled a couple of good spells and probably KKR missed a trick in not bowling him more often. Held some wonderful catches in the field and showed his full commitment with the bat and the ball.
PAUL VALHATY ( Kings XI Punjab )
One of the finds of the tournament. His century innings against Chennai was one of the best of the tournament. Could not sustain his form throughout the tournament but still played some crucial innings for KXI Punjab. His contribution was immense in Punjab winning four matches in a trot and securing a fifth place finish in the IPL.
MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI ( Chennai SuperKings )
The captain of the tournament. Dhoni was at his absolute best in this tournament as a captain. He also played a few excellent match winning knocks in the tournament as well. Whether its with the bat or behind the stumps Mr Captain Cool has been getting better and better. His astute and willy captaincy helped CSK win many close encounters in this IPL.
AMIT MISHRA ( Deccan Chargers )
The best spinner of IPL4 without a doubt. Also the only spinner to take a hat-trick in IPL4. Bowled some excellent spells in the tournament. Had his teammates supported him well on the field , he would have taken a lot more wickets. He bowled googlees with ample ease. Getting selected for the Indian team for the WI tour was a vindication of his ability.
LASITH MALINGA ( Mumbai Indians )
The best bowler of IPL4 and the sureshot winner of the purple cap , given to the highest wicket taker of the tournament. The slinga from Srilanka was impressive in IPL4. Mumbai Indians without Lasith Malinga look like an ordinary team and would not have reached the top four. His brilliance was evident was the fact that the next bowler is way behind him in number of wickets taken.
MUNAF PATEL ( Mumbai Indians )
The man from Baroda impressed everyone with his clever bowling in IPL4. He formed a lethal partnership with Malinga in this IPL. While Malinga intimated batsmen with his yorkers and raw pace , Munaf bowled a tight line and length and troubled many a batsmen. Took two five wicket halls in the tournament. What was impressive for Munaf was that he looked fitter and even fielded with a lot of passion and energy.
SREENATH ARAVIND ( Royal Challengers Bangalore )
Another find of the the tournament. Came into the RCB side when Nannes was injured. As a young and new bowler has impressed everyone in this IPL with his change of pace and line. The presense of Zaheer Khan in the side has helped this young bowler a lot and he is one of the bowlers who could get an Indian team call in the near future.
