Vote for YOUR Readers' Choice IPL Team of the Tournament

Sport360 staff 09:50 24/05/2016
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  • Who will make it to your XI?

    As the Indian Premier League comes to a close, we look at the standout players from this year’s tournament and give YOU, our readers, the chance to pick the IPL 9 Team of the Tournament.

    Twenty-three of the top players this season are vying for eleven slots – from Yusuf Pathan to AB de Villiers, from Amit Mishra to Adam Zampa.

    We have created a side consisting of two opening batsmen, two middle-order batters, a further two all-rounders, a wicket-keeper, one spinner and three quicks.

    We will select the team from the most votes, but in keeping with IPL rules of playing no more than four oversees players so be sure to remember to keep a balance in your side between foreign and local talent.

    Voting closes on May 30th so choose wisely and help us decide who should make the dream team.

    OPENERS

    Kohli - Warner

    David Warner and Virat Kohli

    Essential to the fortunes of their team, the openers hold a prominent position in the cricketing arena, especially in the T20 format. With the first six Power Play overs, and on occasion the entire course of a match, a hard-hitting and a consistent opening batsman goes a long way in giving his side a considerable edge over the opposition.

    There are four shortlisted cricketers in this category, who have managed to conquer the challenges of opening the innings in IPL 2016. With 865 runs in 13 innings, including 4 centuries, the colossal Virat Kohli with his aggressive yet calm intent needs no reason to not be on our list.

    Quinton de Kock was the first centurion of this year’s IPL and in the 12 matches played so far, the South African has scored 385 runs with a healthy strike rate of 140. Following him is the lone saviour for Rising Pune Supergiants – the maverick Ajinkya Rahane, who amassed 480 runs in 14 innings. Although a strike rate of 126.64 raises some eyebrows, there is no denying the asset Rahane was for the 7th ranked RPS.

    Constantly closing in on the heels of Kohli for the Orange Cup, David Warner, with a strike rate of 152 and 640 runs under his belt has remained a force to reckon with for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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    MIDDLE ORDER

    AB-de-Villiers-Cricket

    AB de Villiers

    With over 600 runs and one century to his credit, AB de Villiers has been one of the IPL’s outstanding batsmen this year, also adding five half-centuries for RCB.

    Hot on his heels is Aaron Finch. Although the Australian has a markedly lower strike rate – just under 130 – he also has 4 fifties this season.

    Yusuf Pathan has over 300 runs, two fifties and a strike rate of 147 at an astonishing average of over 76 this season. And how can one leave out Delhi batsman Karun Nair, who has excelled –  scoring over 340 runs, three fifties and a best score of an undefeated 83.

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    WICKET-KEEPER

    In a Bangalore side packed with big names, Lokesh Rahul‘s is one of the more modest. However, with well over 300 runs at an average of 58 and a healthy strike rate of 146, he has been quietly effective.

    India’s wicket-keeper of yore, Dinesh Karthik too makes it to the shortlist thanks to some handy contributions with the bat. The Lions’ middle-order batsman, Karthik can boast of a little under 300 and three fifties this term.

    Also, don’t forget Sanju Samson who, with over 270 runs and one fifty, has performed credibly for the Delhi Daredevils.

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    ALL-ROUNDERS

    Krunal Pandya

    Krunal Pandya

    Shane Watson’s batting average has dipped considerably this season with a high score of only 36, but he has been spectacular with the ball. His 3/24 against RPS remains his best figures in IPL 2016. Replacing his younger brother as one of the most promising all-rounders in India, Krunal Pandya’s talent and hunger for success has impressed this season. With a strike-rate bordering 200 and a best of 86, he has been the finest Indian talent to be unearthed by the Mumbai Indians this time around.

    Chris Morris has turned out to be the quintessential all-rounder for Delhi with a handy knack for bowling dot balls and contributing a few lusty blows towards the end of the innings.

    With 188 runs and 15 wickets from 12 matches, Andre Russell has quickly emerged as a utility player for the Kolkata franchise. Match-winning performances against Delhi, Bangalore and Punjab have established the power-hitter as not only a formidable batsman but also a wily medium-pacer.

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    SPINNER

    Amit Mishra

    Amit Mishra

    With 16 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.85, Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket-taker this season. The young Indian leggie has been the silver lining in an otherwise timid RCB bowling attack.

    Old, as they say, is gold and 13 wickets at economy of a little over seven has vindicated Amit Mishra‘s disgruntled claims that he should have been included in the Indian squad for the World T20. His 4 for 11 against KXIP this season was a treat to watch.

    Somewhat of an overnight sensation playing his inaugural IPL season is the Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa. The 24-year-old has already elicited comparisons with the legendary Shane Warne for his trademark tweak of the ball. Zampa, who bamboozled the Sunrisers with a record haul of 6/19, has taken 12 wickets in 5 matches this season at an incredible economy of 6.76.

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    FAST-BOWLERS

    Mustafizur Rahman

    Mustafizur Rahman

    When one thinks of fast bowling in this IPL, the Sunrisers Hyderabad spring to mind immediately. Pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 18 wickets at an economy of 7.75, has been particularly eye catching. Partner-in-crime Mustafizur Rahman has been outstanding as well, not only for his 16 wickets this term but also for a mightily impressive economy of 6.71.

    Next up are the Mumbai duo. Mitchell McClenaghan has occasionally struggled, but 17 wickets and best figures of 4/21 still rank him as one of the best quicks in this tournament. His teammate Jasprit Bumrah has ticked along more quietly, but 15 wickets at an average of 27.06 are still creditable achievements.

    Although not one to collect several wickets at once, Sandeep Sharma has been a rare plus point for the Kings XI Punjab with his 15 wickets at an economy of 7.32.

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