Amid coronavirus pandemic, cricketers are revealing their favourite list of players whom they rate really high. Some have also presented their all-time international XI featuring legendary players from the game. Following the similar trend, former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has picked Indian Premier League (IPL) all-time eleven.
The former wicket-keeper spoke to CricTracker on Instagram Live and came up with his all-time IPL XI. Deep started the business by naming Chris Gayle and David Warner as openers. Both have been a phenomenal talent in the shorter format, especially in the lucrative league.
Gayle has played 125 games in IPL and scored 4484 runs which is second highest in the cash-rich league. The ‘Universe Boss’ has also smashed 326 sixes – most by any batsmen in the IPL. Warner, on the other hand, is the leading run-scorer amongst foreign players, stockpiling as much as 4706 runs in 126 matches. The ‘Pocket Dynamite’ has slammed a maximum of 44 half-centuries in the exciting league.
At number three, Deep chose one of India’s most exceptional T20 players and the backbone of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Suresh Raina. The left-handed genius carries a record of playing most matches (193) in the history of the tournament. For number four, the cricketer-turned-commentator went with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli.
Both Raina and Kohli are the only batsmen in the history of IPL to cross 5000 run-mark. Kohli is the topper with 5412 runs in 177 games at a strike-rate of 131.61, while Raina is at the second spot with 5368 runs to his name at a strike-rate of 137.14. The ‘Chinna Thala’ is also the leading fifty hitters (38) amongst Indian players and second overall.
For the following two positions, Deep went with two of the most successful captains in the history of the world’s biggest T20 league. The 42-year-old picked Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma and CSK’s captain, MS Dhoni, for number five and six spots respectively. However, a bit surprising thing was that Deep didn’t go with supremely talented batsman AB de Villiers.
With 4898 runs, Rohit is the third-highest run-getter in the tournament. Under his captaincy, MI has captured the coveted trophy four times. Similarly, under Dhoni’s leadership, the Chennai-based franchise has won the IPL title three times. Dhoni, who is also known for hitting maximums is the highest six-hitter amongst Indian players and third overall. In 190 games, the Ranchi-born has smashed 209 sixes.
Deep went with Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja as all-rounders. Both have been a valuable asset for the CSK side. In 134 games, Bravo has taken 147 wickets – second best amongst overseas players. Whereas, Jadeja has earned 108 scalps in 170 matches which is the seventh-best amongst Indian players.
Among bowlers, the Kolkata-born former cricketer, picked Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga and Yuzvendra Chahal. Malinga is the highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL with as many as 170 scalps to his name in 122 games, while his partner from Mumbai team Bumrah has grabbed 82 wickets in 77 matches.
Chahal, on the other hand, is the eleventh Indian bowler and sixth spinner to take 100 wickets in the IPL. Two times, the RCB bowler has taken 4-wicket haul as well. For the 12th man, Deep went with mystery bowler from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunil Narine. When it comes to the top wicket-takers list, the Caribbean spinner is the third foreign player with 122 scalps to his name.
Here is Deep Dasgupta’s IPL XI:
Chris Gayle, David Warner, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sunil Narine (12th man).
