Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian batter and cricket expert, has chosen his all-time Indian Premier League (IPL) XI. Jaffer, who has played 31 Test matches for India and scored 1944 runs at an average of 34.11, has chosen some of the best short-format players, including Chris Gayle, MS Dhoni, and Suresh Raina.
Chris Gayle and KL Rahul have been chosen as the opening pair by the former Indian batter. Both have established themselves as two of the most illustrious openers in the IPL’s history. While Gayle has appeared in 142 games in the IPL, Rahul has appeared in 109 games.
Wasim Jaffer picks his strongest all-time XI of the tournament
The successful conclusion of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) marked the end of a memorable year for cricket’s richest league in the world. The Indian domestic cricket extravaganza, which began in 2008, has now completed 15 editions.
Following the final of IPL 2022, former India opener Wasim Jaffer selected his all-time XI from the world’s richest cricket league. The absence of Indian all-format captain Rohit Sharma and legendary South African batter AB de Villiers from Jaffer’s team was a surprise.
MS Dhoni of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been named captain of the team. Dhoni is the second most successful captain in the league’s history, having won the title four times (2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021).
Meanwhile, Jaffer has chosen KL Rahul, the captain of the Lucknow Super Kings (LSG), and Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss,’ as his opening pair. He named ‘Mr. IPL’ and CSK legend Suresh Raina as his number three, Virat Kohli who is the league’s all-time leading run-scorer at number four, and Dhoni at number five.
The crucial number six and number seven spots are filled by Kolkata Knight Riders’ explosive all-rounder Andre Russell and Gujarat Titans’ (GT) captain Hardik Pandya, winner of the IPL 2022. Jaffer’s all-time XI also includes Titans’ star Rashid Khan, widely regarded as the best T20 spinner globally.
He named either Ravichandran Ashwin or Yuzvendra Chahal of the Rajasthan Royals as deserving picks for the second spinner’s position. The fast-bowling department is led by Mumbai Indians legends Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga.
Rohit’s exclusion is the biggest surprise, as he is the most successful captain in league history, having won five titles. De Villiers, likewise, is one of the best foreign players to have played in the league over the years, making his exclusion somewhat surprising.
Wasim Jaffer’s all-time XI –
Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin/Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga
