Mumbai: The Indian Premier League (IPL), the most popular and lucrative T20 league in the world, has completed 16 years since its first auction on February 20, 2008. To mark this occasion, Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the IPL, has announced the dream IPL XI, comprising the best players from all the seasons of the league. The team was selected by a panel of former cricketers and journalists, who voted for their choices based on various criteria.
The dream IPL XI is captained by none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the charismatic and successful leader of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Dhoni, who has won three IPL titles, two Champions League T20 titles, and several individual awards, was the unanimous choice for the captaincy, as he was praised for his natural leadership skills, tactical acumen, and calm demeanor. Dhoni, who is also the wicket-keeper of the team, has scored 4,632 runs in 204 IPL matches, at an average of 40.99 and a strike rate of 136.75. He has also hit 23 fifties and 216 sixes and has affected 148 dismissals behind the stumps.
The openers of the dream IPL XI are David Warner and Virat Kohli, two of the most prolific and consistent batsmen in the league. Warner, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has won the Orange Cap (most runs in a season) three times and has led his team to the title in 2016. He has scored 5,447 runs in 148 IPL matches, at an average of 42.22 and a strike rate of 141.54. He has also hit four centuries and 49 fifties and has a highest score of 126. Kohli, who is the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has also won the Orange Cap once and has scored the most runs in a single season (973 in 2016). He has scored 6,041 runs in 199 IPL matches, at an average of 37.97 and a strike rate of 130.73. He has also hit five centuries and 40 fifties and has a highest score of 113.
The number three position in the batting order is occupied by Chris Gayle, the ‘universal boss’ of T20 cricket. Gayle, who currently plays for Punjab Kings (PBKS), has been the most destructive and entertaining batsman in the IPL, with his explosive hitting and flamboyant style. He has won the Orange Cap twice, and has scored the most centuries (six) and sixes (357) in the league. He has scored 4,843 runs in 140 IPL matches, at an average of 40.71 and a strike rate of 149.45. He has also hit 31 fifties and has a highest score of 175 not out, which is the highest individual score in the IPL.
The middle order of the dream IPL XI consists of Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, and Suryakumar Yadav, three versatile and reliable batsmen who can adapt to any situation and play any role. Raina, who is Dhoni’s deputy at CSK, has been one of the most consistent and successful batsmen in the IPL, with his elegant strokeplay and superb fielding. He has scored 5,448 runs in 200 IPL matches, at an average of 33.34 and a strike rate of 136.89. He has also hit one century and 39 fifties and has a highest score of 100 not out. He is the second-highest run-scorer in the IPL, behind Kohli. De Villiers, who is Kohli’s partner at RCB, has been one of the most innovative and exciting batsmen in the IPL, with his ability to play shots all around the ground and change the course of the game. He has scored 4,948 runs in 169 IPL matches, at an average of 40.40 and a strike rate of 152.38. He has also hit three centuries and 40 fifties and has a highest score of 133 not out. Yadav, who plays for Mumbai Indians (MI), has been one of the most impressive and promising batsmen in the IPL, with his classy and confident batting and knack of scoring big runs. He has scored 2,334 runs in 108 IPL matches, at an average of 28.79 and a strike rate of 134.57. He has also hit 12 fifties and has a highest score of 79 not out.
The lower order of the dream IPL XI is packed with three all-rounders, who can contribute with both bat and ball and add depth and balance to the team. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kieron Pollard are the three all-rounders, who play for MI, CSK, and MI respectively. Pandya, who is one of the most explosive and dynamic batsmen in the IPL, has scored 1,495 runs in 87 IPL matches, at an average of 26.32 and a strike rate of 156.93. He has also hit four fifties, and has a highest score of 91. He has also taken 42 wickets, at an average of 31.26 and an economy rate of 9.06. He has also taken one four-wicket haul, and has a best bowling figure of 4/38. Jadeja, who is one of the most economical and effective spinners in the IPL, has taken 120 wickets in 191 IPL matches, at an average of 28.41 and an economy rate of 7.67. He has also taken two four-wicket hauls, and has a best bowling figure of 5/16. He has also scored 2,296 runs, at an average of 25.23 and a strike rate of 126.37. He has also hit one century and eight fifties, and has a highest score of 100 not out. Pollard, who is one of the most powerful and experienced batsmen in the IPL, has scored 3,191 runs in 171 IPL matches, at an average of 30.10 and a strike rate of 149.87. He has also hit 16 fifties, and has a highest score of 83. He has also taken 63 wickets, at an average of 31.74 and an economy rate of 8.88. He has also taken one four-wicket haul, and has a best bowling figure of 4/44.
The bowling attack of the dream IPL XI is a mix of spin and pace, with three spinners and two fast bowlers. Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, and Yuzvendra Chahal are the three spinners, who play for SRH, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and RCB respectively. Rashid, who is one of the best leg-spinners and T20 bowlers in the world, has taken 85 wickets in 69 IPL matches, at an average of 20.07 and an economy rate of 6.24. He has also taken two four-wicket hauls, and has a best bowling figure of 4/11. He has also scored 139 runs, at an average of 9.26 and a strike rate of 144.79. He has also hit one fifty, and has a highest score of 55 not out. Narine, who is one of the most versatile and valuable players in the IPL, has taken 137 wickets in 125 IPL matches, at an average of 23.31 and an economy rate of 6.80. He has also taken six four-wicket hauls, and has a best bowling figure of 5/19. He has also scored 954 runs, at an average of 17.51 and a strike rate of 165.27. He has also hit three fifties, and has a highest score of 75. Chahal, who is one of the most consistent and wicket-taking spinners in the IPL, has taken 125 wickets in 106 IPL matches, at an average of 22.70 and an economy rate of 7.67. He has also taken two four-wicket hauls, and has a best bowling figure of 4/25. He has also scored 121 runs, at an average of 8.64 and a strike rate of 86.44. He has also hit one fifty, and has a highest score of 50 not out.
The fast bowlers of the dream IPL XI are Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah, who play for MI and are regarded as two of the best death bowlers in the world. Malinga, who is the highest wicket-taker in the IPL, has taken 170 wickets in 122 IPL matches, at an average of 19.80 and an economy rate of 7.14. He has also taken eight four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, and has a best bowling figure of 5/13. He has also scored 88 runs, at an average of 4.40 and a strike rate of 88.00. He has also hit one fifty, and has a highest score of 50 not out. Bumrah, who is one of the most accurate and skillful fast bowlers in the IPL, has taken 115 wickets in
