The Indian Premier League inaugurated in 2008 with Brendon McCullum’s 158 and turned into the biggest cricket league all over the world with the passage of time. Some of the most iconic moments in cricket history have been witnessed in IPL. From Chris Gayle lighting up the tournament with his bulldozed 175 to Virat Kohli smashing four centuries in a single season of the league, the IPL has given us moments that will always be etched into the memories of cricket lovers. Here we have covered the best IPL XI of all time, backed by the stats and cricketing sense.
Best IPL XI of All Time
- David Warner
- Virat Kohli
- Suresh Raina
- AB de Villiers
- MS Dhoni (WK, C)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Rashid Khan
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Lasith Malinga
Best IPL XI Analysis
1- David Warner
The IPL-winning captain David Warner is arguably the best opener in IPL. He has played 162 matches in IPL in which he has scored 5,881 runs with an average of 42 and a healthy strike rate of 140.7. Warner has also scored 4 centuries and 55 half-centuries in the tournament.
2- Virat Kohli
The Indian run machine Virat Kohli scored 973 runs as an opener in IPL 2016 with a stunning average of 81.08 and a great strike rate of 152.03. In 223 matches, Virat Kohli has scored 6,624 with 5 centuries and 44 half-centuries. He is also the batter with the most number of runs in IPL history.
3- Suresh Raina
Mr. IPL Suresh Raina was the leading run-scorer in IPL for almost a decade before Virat Kohli ultimately overcame his records. Raina was the most dependable batter for Chennai Super Kings in IPL and has helped MS Dhoni win many titles as captain. In his IPL career, Raina has played 205 matches in which he scored 5,528 runs with an average of 32.5 and a strike rate of 136.7. He has scored a century and 39 half-centuries in his illustrious career.
4- AB de Villiers
Mr. 360 of the cricket, AB de Villiers, is a no-brainer at the number in the best IPL XI of all time. In his highly admired career, he played 184 matches in IPL and scored 5,162 runs at an average of 39.7 and a robust strike rate of 151.7. He scored 3 centuries and 40 half-centuries in his IPL career.
5- MS Dhoni
It would be a crime not to include the master of cricket MS Dhoni in the best IPL XI of all time. He has won 4 IPL trophies as the captain for Chennai Super Kings. MS Dhoni has played 234 matches in IPL in which he has scored 4,978 runs at a strike rate of 135.2. Also, MS Dhoni is the best wicketkeeper without a single doubt in IPL history.
6- Hardik Pandya
India’s premium all-rounder Hardik Pandya captained Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 and won the trophy for his team. He has been phenomenal over the years and can be a perfect finishing partner that MS Dhoni may need. Pandya has played 107 matches in IPL to score 1,963 runs at an average of 30.20 and a strike rate of 147.59. He has also grabbed 50 wickets in his IPL career so far.
7- Ravindra Jadeja
The left-arm orthodox bowler Ravindra Jadeja is one of the best all-rounders to have in the best IPL XI of all time. He has been a trusted deputy of MS Dhoni in CSK for a very long time. In 210 IPL matches, he has scored 2,502 runs at an average of 26.6 and a strike rate of 127.7. He has picked 132 wickets in his IPL career.
8- Rashid Khan
The Afghani bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan is one of the best IPL bowlers of all time. His economy rate in IPL is eye-popping. Rashid Khan has played 92 IPL matches in which he has picked 112 wickets at an economy of 6.37 and an average of 20.8. He has also improved as a batter in recent years.
9- Jasprit Bumrah
There is no better Indian bowler than Jasprit Bumrah in IPL history. He has only played for Mumbai Indians and has helped them lift trophies on many occasions. Bumrah has picked 145 wickets in 120 matches in IPL. His economy rate is 7.40, with an average of 23.31.
10- Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket-taker among Indian spinners in IPL history. In 131 matches, he has picked 166 wickets in IPL with an economy of 7.61 and an average of 21.83.
11- Lasith Malinga
The second-highest wicket-taker of all time in IPL and one of the most lethal bowlers ever who terrorised the batters with his toe-crushing yorkers, Lasith Malinga deserves to be in the best IPL XI of all time. In 122 matches, he picked 170 wickets with an average of 19.85 and an economy rate of 7.16.
This wraps up our list of the best IPL XI of all time. Do let us know if we have missed any player who you would like to pick in the best IPL XI of all time.
