With the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League well into its business phase, Harsha Bhogle has named his IPL XI for the month of April. The ace commentator, who picked his team on Cricbuzz, clarified right at the start that his team was picked on the players’ performance in April and not on their reputation. Not surprising then that the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers could not find a place in the team. He also made it clear that his team would consist of seven Indian players and four overseas players just like the format of the tournament.

The leading run-scorers of this edition- David Warner and Gautam Gambhir have been picked as openers by Bhogle. Warner is currently leading the list with 489 runs in 10 matches followed by Gambhir with 411 runs in 11 outings. Bhogle has appointed Gambhir, who has led Kolkata Knight Riders to seven wins in 11 matches this season, as the captain of his team. Interestingly, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma, whose team is currently leading the points table, has failed to find a place in the team.

The openers are followed by Robin Uthappa who has been in superb form this season. The Kolkata Knight Riders star has left behind the likes of Nitish Rana and Suresh Raina to get a place in the team. He has scored 384 runs in 9 innings at an impressive average of 42.67. The number 4 spot has been taken by Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steve Smith.

Kings XI Punjab skipper Glenn Maxwell, who has scored 193 runs in 9 matches, has got the nod ahead of the likes of Kedar Jadhav and Kieron Pollard. Maxwell is followed by Mumbai Indians allrounder Krunal Pandya. Delhi Daredevils’ South African allrounder Chris Morris is the pick for the number 7 spot.The Protea all-rounder has scored 154 runs in addition to taking 12 wickets in 9 matches this season.

Bhogle had to think for a while to pick one between Yuzvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan but went for the former since he had already picked four foreign players. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav complete the list.

Harsha Bhogle’s XI:

David Warner, Gautam Gambhir (C), Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Morris, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav