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Virat Kohli To Open With David Warner, MS Dhoni To Lead; OneCricket's All-Time IPL XI

Virat Kohli with AB de Villiers [X.com]Virat Kohli with AB de Villiers [X.com]

To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, the much-anticipated season of the Indian Premier League is set to commence this evening, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the tournament opener. 

The IPL, which started for the first time in 2008, has seen its evolution, with the sponsors and team jerseys changing from time to time. However, there are some players who have left significant mark, holding cult status in the IPL history. 

So, as the biggest cricketing extravaganza makes its seventeenth appearance, let's analyse and create an all-time IPL XI. 


Top order: Virat Kohli, David Warner, Suresh Raina

David Warner has been IPL's Mr consistent [X.com]David Warner has been IPL's Mr consistent [X.com]

While talking about an IPL all-time XI, we simply can't go past Virat Kohli and David Warner. Kohli, the Indian legend, has been an incredible performer for RCB, amassing 3611 runs at an average of 43.51 and a strike rate of 135.45 as an opener. 

Meanwhile, Warner, who led SRH to their maiden IPL title in 2016, has 6397 IPL runs to his name at 41.53/139.91. Furthermore, the swashbuckling southpaw is the third most successful batter in the tournament's history. 

We have picked CSK's legendary batter Suresh Raina as our number three, considering his exploits at that position. Statistically, he has scored 4934 IPL runs at three at a strike rate of 137.67. 


Middle order: AB De Villiers, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Andre Russell

Dhoni led CSK to an IPL title last year [IPL.com]Dhoni led CSK to an IPL title last year [IPL.com]

Our middle order comprises the dynamic AB De Villiers, known for his extraordinary 360-degree hitting, alongside the legendary MS Dhoni, who will lead the team. 

De Villiers played a pivotal role for RCB during his playing days, helping them script many memorable matches through his scintillating stroke play. On the other hand, Dhoni is one of the greatest white-ball batters to grace the game and has led Chennai Super Kings to a record five IPL titles. 

Meanwhile, MI's captain Hardik Pandya makes it into the team as the all-rounder alongside KKR's trump card Andre Russell. Both players have been outright match-winners in the tournament and are expected to provide the team with solidity and flexibility. 


Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah

Lasith Malinga with IPL 2019 trophy [X.com]Lasith Malinga with IPL 2019 trophy [X.com]

Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar makes it into the XI based on his consistency with the ball over the years. In 160n outings, Bhuvneshwar has 170 scalps to his name, playing a vital role for Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians' lethal bowling partners, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga, will be our remaining two pacers, given their excellence across phases, especially in the slog overs. While Malinga has 170 IPL wickets in 122 games, Bumrah has scalped 145 wickets in 120 appearances. 

Veteran tweaker Yuzvendra Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, is included as the solitary spinner, while CSK veteran Ravindra Jadeja is our twelfth man, thanks to his significant all-round contributions for the franchise. 


OneCricket's all-time IPL XI

David Warner, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB De Villiers, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Hardik Pandya, Andre Russell, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga

12th man: Ravindra Jadeja