The 17th edition of the biggest cricket league in the world, the Indian Premier League (IPL), is just four days away. The league, which brings in the best of the best, has seen T20 greats like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Lasith Malinga in action. However, one has to wonder: do these modern greats find themselves in the all-time overseas IPL playing XI?
Players like Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Andrew Flintoff couldn’t make the most of it, having been nearing their retirement. But do these former greats find a place among the eleven best players? Check out InsideSport’s all-time IPL Playing to find out:
All-time Overseas IPL Playing XI
- David Warner (c)
- Chris Gayle
- Shane Watson
- AB de Villiers
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Kieron Pollard
- Andre Russell
- Dwayne Bravo
- Rashid Khan
- Sunil Narine
- Lasith Malinga
Impact sub: Kagiso Rabada
All-time Overseas IPL Playing XI: Openers & Wicketkeepers
David Warner, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers are among the most successful batters in the league’s history. Warner, Gayle, and de Villiers are the third, eighth, and sixth-highest run-getters in the IPL. Another wicketkeeper, Jos Buttler, is the 21st-highest run scorer with over 3000 runs to his name.
All-time Overseas IPL Playing XI: All-rounders
Batting all-rounders Shane Watson and Kieron Pollard have 3874 and 3412 runs and have 92 and 69 wickets to their names as well. Meanwhile, bowling all-rounders Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, and Dwayne Bravo have 96, 139, and 183 wickets, along with 2261, 443, and 1560 runs as well.
All-time Overseas IPL Playing XI: Bowlers
Sunil Narine and Lasith Malinga are ranked 8th and 6th among the highest wicket-takers in the league, respectively. Narine has 163 wickets in 162 matches, while Malinga, once the highest wicket taker in the IPL, has 170 wickets in 122 matches.