The TATA IPL 2022 is around the corner. Many players have come and left a big mark on the league. From the opening position to number 11, many players have excelled. One cannot forget that 175* of Chris Gayle and that spell of Alzarri Joseph. Kohli and his season of 2016 was a delight. So was Pollard’s every inning against the Chennai Super Kings. Who are the players that make it to the all-time IPL XI? Warner or Gayle who will open? Bumrah or Bhuvi? Here’s a look:
** I have used the 4 foreign and 7 Indian Formats.
1)Chris Gayle/David Warner will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
Chris Gayle and David Warner are similar batsmen. Explosive and left-handed! Chris Gayle and his domination over the years is evident. He has 6 hundred in the league. On his day, Gayle brings along with him a Gayle storm. He is someone who has an average of 35 at a strike rate of 153. Now that speaks volumes of his game. Warner on the other hand was the face of SRH for 7 years. Warner is loved by the Indian fans. This pocket-size dynamo from Australia has done big exploits in the IPL.
2) Rohit Sharma (VC) will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
The other opening position belongs to Rohit Sharma. Rohit might not have had a very big season in the IPL so far but he has managed to score 350+ runs in almost every season. Rohit is consistent. On his day, Rohit can win you games within a few overs. Rohit is explosive and dominant. He has an average of 31 at a strike rate of 130. He also happens to be the VC of my all-time XI.
3) Virat Kohli:
What a dream season Virat had back in 2016. Since 2016, every season has seen Virat score 400+ runs. Virat is the heartthrob of Bengaluru. One cannot imagine an RCB team without Virat Kohli. Virat has an average of 38 at the strike rate of 131. Kohli lifts the spirit of the entire team by mere presence. His on-field energy is difficult to match.
4) Suresh Raina will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
An all-time IPL XI without Mr. IPL cannot be made. Suresh Raina was the face of the IPL for the first 10 seasons. The kind of dominance that Raina had was difficult to match. There was a time when Raina had played more matches for CSK than MSD! Raina is loved by the UP fans as he is a local boy. But the Chennai fans love China Thala as well. Raina averages 33 with a strike rate of 132.
5) Kieron Pollard will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
The big man from Trinidad finds a place in my all-time XI. Polly is loved by Indians. Pollard plays the game of cricket but most importantly, Pollard entertains. One doesn’t easily find a bigger star than Pollard in world cricket. His fielding leaves people in awe. His agility with that body type is exceptional. Pollard is a big match player. He might not win you games on the league stage but in the playoffs, Pollard gives you full assurance.
6) MS Dhoni (C & WK) will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
MSD, Thala, Captain Cool! You name him! Thala features in my all-time XI as the captain and as a finisher. His calm-headed guy will be strategizing and winning games for me. MS Dhoni average 35 at a strike rate of 140. His career is currently on a waning period but in his prime MS sent shivers down the opponents. His trademark helicopter shot will never be forgotten. MSD and CSK are a bond that will go down as one of the greatest.
7) Andre Russell/Dwayne Bravo:
Dre Russ was different gravy in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons. Russell was hitting sixes on demand. One cannot forget his dream innings against RCB in 2019. Andre can be used on wickets where the pitch has pace on offer. Dwayne Bravo can be used on slower pitches. Bravo and his 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons were elite. His slower balls are still the talk of the town. Off-Cutters, yorkers, and stock balls, Bravo has them all. He has an economy of 8.2 in the death overs.
8) Harbhajan Singh/Ravichandran Ashwin:
Harbhajan Singh and Ravi Ashwin both have similar skill sets to offer. Ashwin and his wicket of Chris Gayle in the 2011 IPL finals are still cherished by the fans. Bhajji was the face of MI till 2017. Harbhajan won 3 IPL titles with the men in blue. Mumbai relied on his skills for the initial few years of the IPL. Bhajji even led the Mumbai Indians in a victorious Champions League campaign. For any team that he has played, Ashwin has made an impression. He bowls in the powerplay at an economy of 7!
9) Yuzvendra Chahal will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
Yuzi has rocked the IPL ever since moving to RCB in 2014. Yuzi was first a part of the Mumbai team. Chahal is a spin-wizard and cannot be easily picked. He has an economy of 7.5 at Chinnaswamy which is a graveyard for bowlers. Yuzvendra is a daring bowler. He takes inspiration from Shane Warne and keeps attacking the bowler.
10) Lasith Malinga will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
Malinga is the greatest player in the IPL. Without a doubt, we may say that he is the greatest. In a league of batters, Malinga bowled at an economy of 7.12 and has picked the greatest number of wickets. He is a legend of the Mumbai Indians. Pollard picked Malinga on his shoulders after winning the IPL in 2019. Malinga and his toe-crushing yorkers are something every fan loved. He also groomed players around him. Malinga is one of the most influential players in the IPL. His association with the Mumbai team is amazing.
11) Jasprit Bumrah will be present in TATA IPL 2022 all-time XI:
This star was born in the 2013 IPL season. Since then, he has been a part of every IPL victory of the Mumbai Indians. In his first IPL game, Bumrah picked the wickets of Virat, Mayank, and Karun. Now that speaks volumes of the talent he had. Jasprit Bumrah is the greatest find of the IPL. From playing Syed Mushtaq Ali games for Gujarat to spear-heading the Mumbai attack, Bumrah has come a very long way. He bowls at an economy of 7.44 and an average of 23.3.
To know more go to the official website of the IPL.
To know more go to the official website of the BCCI.