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Naming an all-time IPL XI is never straightforward, given the immense talent the tournament has produced since 2008. From explosive batters and dependable anchors to match-winning bowlers, the league has been filled with standout performers. Recently, West Indies legend Chris Gayle was asked on Shubankar Mishra‘s podcast to reveal his dream XI from IPL history. While his team is stacked with proven match-winners, his decision to leave out a prominent star — one of the league’s most decorated captains and prolific scorers — has triggered plenty of discussion.
Chris Gayle’s all-time IPL XI
Star openers
Gayle, unsurprisingly, chose himself to open the innings alongside Virat Kohli. The left-hander remains one of the most destructive players the IPL has ever seen, still holding the record for the highest individual score (175*). His partner Kohli is the leading run-scorer in tournament history with more than 8,600 runs, known for his consistency and ability to anchor long innings. Together, they form a formidable pair that combines brute force with remarkable stability.
Middle-order strength
The middle order in Gayle’s XI carries both class and versatility. Suresh Raina (5528 runs), fondly remembered as ‘Mr. IPL’ earns his spot for being run machine for more than a decade. Alongside him is AB de Villiers (5162 runs), whose ability to innovate and play shots all around the park made him a nightmare for bowlers across conditions. KL Rahul (5222 runs), one of the most reliable top-order batters in recent seasons, also finds a place. His adaptability — capable of building an innings or accelerating rapidly — makes him a valuable pick for this dream lineup.
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Balance through all-rounders and bowlers
To provide balance, Gayle selected Ravindra Jadeja (3260 runs and 170 wickets), Dwayne Bravo (1560 runs and 183 wickets), and Sunil Narine (1780 runs and 192 wickets). Jadeja offers lower-order hitting power and sharp left-arm spin, while Bravo brings unmatched experience as a death-bowling specialist and handy batting skills. Narine adds further depth with his economical off-spin and occasional batting fireworks at the top of the order.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah (183 wickets) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (198 wickets) form a lethal pace duo. Bumrah, with his deadly yorkers and ability to bowl in crunch moments, is widely regarded as the best T20 pacer in the world. Bhuvneshwar, meanwhile, has been one of the most effective swing bowlers in IPL history and remains among the top wicket-takers of the tournament.
Rohit Sharma’s absence raises eyebrows
The most striking exclusion from Gayle’s XI is Rohit Sharma (7046 runs). Despite amassing over 7,000 IPL runs and guiding Mumbai Indians to a record five titles as captain, he did not make the cut. Rohit’s track record as both a batter and a leader makes him one of the most successful figures in IPL history. Leaving him out emphasizes how Gayle’s selections were guided more by personal experiences and the impact certain players made on him, rather than purely on numbers or trophies.
Also READ: Sandeep Sharma picks his all-time IPL XI with MS Dhoni as captain
