As the IPL 2020 has ended, Virender Sehwag has picked up the playing XI of this season. He has made some debatable choices like not picking Rohit Sharma for the captaincy position instead he lead Mumbai Indians to lift the fifth IPl trophy.
Former Indian cricketer picked Royal Challengers Bangalore Devdutt Padikkal and Kings XI Punjab KL Rahul as the opening pair. Padikkal has been adjudged as the emerging player while KL Rahul is the Orange Cap winner.
Batting at number third, Virender Sehwag has gone with Suryakumar Yadav, who has given several match-winning performances. Following Mumbai Indians player, Virat Kohli bats at No. 4 and surprisingly, David Warner at No. 5. Sehwag reasoned that the Aussie has been in great form.
“He (Suryakumar) has performed brilliantly since the last three seasons and he’s shown consistency. At No. 4 I’ve picked Kohli. He always scores runs and hence I’ve given him captaincy as well. He’s an aggressive player and captain and can take the team along with him,” Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
“At No. 5 I’ve picked David Warner because he’s been in great form and scored runs. I was confused whom to pick as captain – David Warner or Virat Kohli – but went ahead with Kohli because he can open the innings as well as bat in the middle order,” added Virender Sehwag.
Keeping in mind the overseas and Indian player balance, he has picked AB de Villiers for batting at number six position for power-hitting at lower order.
“The competition was fierce for No. 6 – Pollard and Pandya were contenders, but based on this year’s performance, I’ve picked ABD,” Virender Sehwag added.
Among bowlers, Sehwag chose three fast bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami – while selecting leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan as his two frontline spinners. Ishan Kishan, who smoked 30 sixes – the most by a player in this year’s IPL is Sehwag’s, 12th man.
Virender Sehwag’s playing XI:
KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, David Warner, AB de Villiers, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rashid Khan (12th men- Ishan Kishan)