The 17th edition of the biggest cricket league in the world, the Indian Premier League (IPL), is less than a week away. With bona fide legends of the game like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma participating in the league, one has to wonder: do these modern greats find themselves in the all-time Indian IPL playing XI?
Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, and current Indian men’s team head coach Rahul Dravid have all played in the league that started in 2008. Do any of these former greats find a place among the eleven best players? Check out InsideSport’s all-time IPL Playing to find out:
All-time Indian IPL Playing XI
- Rohit Sharma
Shikhar Dhawan
Virat Kohli
Suresh Raina
Sanju Samson
MS Dhoni (c & wk)
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Yuzvendra Chahal
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Jasprit Bumrah
Impact sub: Harbhajan Singh
All-time Indian IPL Playing XI: Openers
Rohit Sharma: The five-time champion and former Mumbai Indians skipper has amassed 6211 runs in 243 matches with an average of 29.57 and a strike rate of 130.04 with 1 century and 42 fifties to his name.
Shikhar Dhawan: Punjab Kings captain, is the second-highest run-getter in the league’s history, with 6617 runs to his name in 217 matches. With an average of 35.38 and a strike rate of 127.17, the southpaw has scored 2 centuries and 61 fifties.
All-time Indian IPL Playing XI: Middle-order
Virat Kohli: The former RCB skipper is the highest run-scorer in the league’s history. The right-hander has amassed 7263 runs in 237 matches and has 7 centuries and 50 fifties to his name.
Suresh Raina: The CSK great is considered to be the best middle-order batter in T20 history. He has scored 5528 runs in 205 games and is the 5th run-getter in IPL’s history. With an average of 32.51 and a strike rate of 136.73, the southpaw has scored 1 century and 39 fifties.
Sanju Samson: The current Rajasthan Royals’ skipper and highest-run-getter for the franchise, has 3888 runs in 152 matches. He has 3 tons and 20 fifties with an average of 29.23 and a strike rate of 137.19.
MS Dhoni: The most successful captain in IPL history, the wicketkeeper batter is the 7th highest run-scorer despite batting in the lower middle order. Apart from having 5082 runs in 250 matches, he also has the most catches and stumpings to his name in the league.
All-time Indian IPL Playing XI: Pacers, Spinners & All-rounders
Hardik Pandya: The best Indian fast-bowling all-rounder in the league’s history, the current Mumbai Indians captain has 2309 runs and 70 wickets to his name, along with five titles to his name.
Ravindra Jadeja: The spin-bowling all-rounder has five titles with the Chennai Super Kings and has scored 2692 runs in 226 matches, with 152 wickets to his name.
Yuzvendra Chahal: The highest wicket-taker in the league’s history, the leg spinner has 187 wickets in 145 matches at 21.86.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The sixth-highest wicket-taker overall and the highest wicket-taker in the powerplay, the right-arm pacer has 170 wickets in 160 matches at an average of 25.86 and an economy of 7.39.
Jasprit Bumrah: Arguably the best fast bowler to play in the league, the Mumbai Indians spearhead has picked up 145 scalps in 120 games.
Editors pick
