Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Shashank Singh has named his all-time Indian Premier League (IPL) XI. Usually, a team has four foreign players in the lineup. But for Shashank, nine of the eleven players will be Indians. The decision seems rather odd, but perhaps it’ll make sense once someone sees his team.
Openers: Sachin Tendulkar & Rohit Sharma
Shashank has decided to pick Sachin Tendulkar over the likes of Chris Gayle, David Warner, or Faf du Plessis. All of these players have more runs as openers than Tendulkar has in total in IPL. Making Rohit Sharma the second opener doesn’t seem like a bad option.
Stacked middle-order: Kohli, Raina & ABD
Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, and AB de Villiers are probably among the top five IPL batters of all time. You have the consistency of Kohli, the spin-hitting ability and leftness of Raina, and the versatility of de Villiers.
Finishers: MS Dhoni & Hardik Pandya
Not much needs to be said about MS Dhoni; he’s the greatest finisher in IPL history. Although Shashank didn’t name a captain or wicketkeeper, Dhoni would take over both roles. Hardik Pandya will be the second finisher. He is one of the few great pace-bowling all-rounders. One could have selected Andre Russell, but then Pandya isn’t bad either.
No Sunil Narine or Rashid Khan
Shashank has decided to select Sandeep Sharma over Sunil Narine or Rashid Khan. This is surprising, but picking Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga isn’t.
Shashank Singh’s all-time IPL XI
Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga.
