Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his all-time Indian Premier League (IPL) XI, featuring a meticulously crafted lineup of six batters and five bowlers. At the helm of this star-studded team is none other than MS Dhoni, who has been named captain. Ashwin’s selections include international cricketing giants such as AB de Villiers and Sunil Narine, showcasing some of the finest talent to have graced the IPL.
Formidable openers in Ravichandran Ashwin’s all-time IPL XI
Speaking at the Cheeky-Cheeka Youtube channel, Ashwin’s choice for the opening duo consists of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit, with his impressive tally of 6,628 runs from 257 IPL matches and a strike rate of 131.14, has been a pivotal figure in leading the Mumbai Indians (MI) to five IPL championships. Kohli, the tournament’s all-time run-scorer with 8,004 runs in 252 matches at a strike rate of 131.97, continues to be a formidable force at the top of the order for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Their combined expertise provides a solid foundation for Ashwin’s dream team.
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Middle order and spin department
In the middle order, Ashwin has selected Suresh Raina, Suryakumar Yadav and De Villiers to occupy the crucial positions of three, four, and five. Raina’s explosive batting, Suryakumar’s recent form, and De Villiers’ extraordinary ability to change games with his stroke play make them a formidable trio. The spin department is manned by Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine, who have been exceptional in their roles over the years. Ashwin himself, with a record 180 IPL wickets, adds significant depth to this lineup.
Valuable pace attack
The pace attack in Ashwin’s all-time IPL XI is spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lasith Malinga. Bumrah, instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ five IPL victories, brings unmatched precision and skill. Kumar’s ability to swing the ball and Malinga’s iconic death-overs bowling further enhance the team’s pace department. Their inclusion underscores the importance of a well-rounded bowling attack in T20 cricket, making Ashwin’s XI a balanced and formidable unit.
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