IPL 2019 is all over, but we’ve prepared the Best XI of the season 12. From the rush of adrenaline, mankading, tight finishes, playoffs battle, sweaty palms, coach sobbing, umpiring howlers, heartwarming gestures, acrobatic stuff on the field and the outlaw in MS Dhoni– it has witnessed all, like the riveting chapters of the novella. Mumbai Indians (MI) won their record-setting fourth title when they thump Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a run on May 12 in Hyderabad. The grand finale of the twelfth edition finished off on the last delivery with the pendulum swinging to and fro.
In short, the finale was the fitting end to the annual cricketing carnival in India.
Following the intriguing battle to walk out as the champions, Indians stood tall in dire straits too.
We’ve listed top-notch performers of this season with the bat and ball simultaneously. So, we’ve also considered the rule of playing four foreign recruits in the playing XI.
Here is the Best XI for the IPL 2019:
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David Warner
After missing the 11th edition of the IPL, David Warner has returned with a bag in the recently-concluded IPL. The southpaw struck three consecutive half-centuries before finishing on high.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star batsman donned the Orange Cap while accumulating 692 runs in 12 matches. He scored runs at the staggering average of 69.20.
He alongside Jonny Bairstow has set the record of three consecutive hundred-plus partnerships.
• KL Rahul:
For Kings XI Punjab, KL Rahul has played a quintessential role in the group stage fixtures. The explosive opener had played some delightful shots to leave bowlers baffled.
In 14 matches, Rahul scored 593 runs at an average of 53.90. He has played match-winning knocks to keep KXIP within the game for most of the times.
The World Cup-bound Rahul has shown early signs of his form which augurs well for the Team India ahead of the forthcoming World Cup.
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Shreyas Iyer:
Calm and composed youngster Shreyas Iyer has set the standard high of captaincy. The promising top-order batsman has done exceedingly well as a leader, too.
With Delhi Capitals (DC) making it to the playoffs, Iyer has played a pivotal role on shouldering responsibility.
The right-handed batsman Iyer has played important cameos in the middle to keep things falling in favour of rechristened Capitals.
In 16 games, Iyer has amassed 463 runs at an average of 30.86. However, his leadership skills have also played a role in his introduction of the No.3 spot.
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MS Dhoni:
MS Dhoni’s side has made it to the finals of 2019, and while going by his average he could be used as a major option to play at No.4. This decision has to be taken owing to his slow-start approach and by going to the Twenty20 norm it becomes crucial to push him up for the better results especially in chasing situations.
Also, Dhoni had done remarkably well behind the stumps.
While bailing his team most often, Dhoni has garnered 416 runs at an incredible average of 83.20.
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Rishabh Pant:
The powerful striker of the ball, Rishabh Pant, has conceded that he needs time to improve on that front. However, the southpaw has accepted challenges gleefully to make most of the situations despite tough situations of the game.
The Delhi-based cricketer has amassed 488 runs in 16 matches. While scoring runs at an average of 37.53, Pant has never bogged down against the opposition.
Thus, his aggressive approach has earned him admiration.
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Andre Russell:
Andre Russell has played a quintessential role for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Windies giant has played some remarkable cameos to hand his teams somewhat could be termed as improbable wins.
The right-handed batsman has garnered 510 runs at an average of 56.66. Moreover, his staggering 204.81 strike-rate saw him battering the bowlers all around the park.
Also, following his brilliance with the ball, Russell has snared 11 scalps.
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Hardik Pandya:
In Mumbai Indians’ title win, Hardik Pandya has played a significant role in a bid to lay hands on the coveted trophy.
The swashbuckling batsman has slammed 402 runs in 16 matches with further saw him scoring at the strike-rate of 191.42
Apart from maintaining his average as 44.66, his cameos had helped team’s cause during the cash-rich league.
Also, with his medium pace bowling, Hardik managed to return with 14 wickets in the entire season.
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Imran Tahir:
Imran Tahir has bowled his heart out with pitches mostly offering help to the spinners. Tahir has deceived batters at his own will to eclipse South African teammate Kagiso on the leading wicket-takers list.
The prominent leg-spinner has stemmed the run-flow which subsequently mounted pressure on the oppositions. He has given away runs at an economy of 6.69.
In the IPL 2019, Tahir has claimed 26 scalps in 17 matches which his average reading as 16.57.
• Shreyas Gopal:
Shreyas Gopal’s hat-trick has grabbed the headlines against pale-looking RCB. The promising Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) spinner has given a tough time to star batsmen Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Also, he has done a bit with the bat to help Royals’ cause in decisive moments.
Overall, he has wrapped the season with 20 wickets in 14 matches. While maintaining the phenomenal average of 17.35, he further kept batters in check as his economy read as 7.22.
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Kagiso Rabada:
Kagiso Rabada’s introduction has not only bolstered the Capitals bowling department, but it has proved to be a sense of relief for the unit that they had someone to defend the target.
The Proteas speedster has done outstandingly well for the Capitals while remaining on the top of the table until the finale.
The right-arm pacer has bagged 25 scalps in just 12 games before being ruled out due to the back niggle. He further bowled with an incredible average of 14.72 as his economy read as 7.82.
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Jasprit Bumrah:
This man has set the base for yet another title for the Indians. Jasprit Bumrah has been cunning when it came to giving away the runs. His economy during the entire season read as 6.63. Known as a death specialist, Bumrah has put a top performance in the finale where he conceded just 14 runs off 24 balls. He also bagged two wickets.
Overall, he managed to bag 19 scalps in 16 matches with his average reading as 21.52.
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*Jonny Bairstow:
Warner’s batting partner Jonny Bairstow had emerged as an outstanding performer in his debut IPL season. The right-handed batsman featured in 10 matches to amass 445 runs at an average of 55.62.
While scoring at the strike-rate of 157.24, Bairstow has done the bulk of the job for the SRH.
He also scored a maiden ton when he slammed 56-ball 114 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Also, Bairstow has struck two fifties during his stay.
He’s our number 12 in the list.
* Honourable Mention
