IPL 2021 got suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis, however, the 14th edition of the tournament did manage to entertain cricket fans for a short time. With 29 matches, IPL 2021 reached the halfway mark before BCCI had to suspend the tournament due to safety concerns of everyone involved.
In 29 matches of IPL 2021, many players entertain and impressed fans with their performances on the field. While there we few players who continued their great form from the last season, there were few new faces who bagged the limelight with their impressive batting and bowling show. Here we will look at some top performers of IPL 2021 and build the best team of IPL 2021.
IPL 2021 Team Of The Season
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan is definitely one Indian player who impressed a lot with his batting in IPL 2021. Dhawan showed a great performance last season and he continued with that form in IPL 2021 as well. The left-handed batsman Dhawan was the leading run-scorer from the start and even after the end, Dhawan ended up as the highest run-scorer. He scored 380 runs in 8 matches at an average of 54+. He also smashed 3 fifties, one of which was an unbeaten 92 run knock. When we talk about the best team of IPL 2021, Shikhar Dhawan should be selected as the opener.
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw gave great support to Shikhar Dhawan in IPL 2021. While Shikhar Dhawan played with patience at the one end, Shaw made sure to hit big shots to keep the run rate high at the start for Delhi Capitals. The right-handed batsman smashed 308 runs in 8 matches at a brilliant strike rate of 166+. Shaw should be selected as the second opener in the best team of IPL 2021. Also, since Shaw and Dhawan have experience of the opening together, their combination as openers will be very effective.
Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis impressed everyone with his batting in IPL 2021. For Chennai Super Kings, Plessis was the highest run-scorer. In 7 matches, he scored 320 runs. He also smacked an unbeaten 95 run-knock in one match. Moreover, his strike rate of 145+ was also commendable. Plessis batted as an opener but he will still do a great job at one-down position. So he should be part of the playing XI in the best team of IPL 2021.
Rishabh Pant
There are no doubts that MS Dhoni is a great wicket-keeper, however, if we look at the IPL 2021 figures, Rishabh Pant will be a great choice for the wicket-keeper batsman. Also, Pant does a good job at the middle-order. With his aggressive batting, Pant will be a good choice for the wicket-keeper batsman.
Pant scored 213 runs in 8 matches at an average of 35+. This is good stats considering the fact that Pant gets fewer balls to play as compared to top-order batsmen. Pant also smashed 2 half-centuries. Pant is a player who can twist the match at any point with his batting.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell had a great start to IPL 2021 season. In the first few initial games, Maxwell was phenomenal with the bat. In 7 matches, the Australian star piled up 223 runs at an average of 37+. He also smashed 2 half-centuries. Also, Maxwell’s strike rate of 144+ in IPL 2021 gives him another reason to be on this list. Maxwell suffered to score in the last few games of Royal Challengers Bangalore, however, he would have come to the top with his batting if IPL 2021 continued further.
AB de Villiers
Along with Glenn Maxwell, we need another aggressive batsman in the best team of IPL 2021. AB de Villiers will be the best batsman at the lower-middle order. AB de Villiers is arguably the best finisher in the T20I format. In 6 matches in IPL 2021, the South African southpaw scored 207 runs at an average of 51+. He also had a strike rate of 164+ throughout IPL 2021. With his ability to score maximum runs in few balls, Villiers will be the best option for a finisher in the best team of IPL 2021.
Ravindra Jadeja
For the all-rounder spot in the team, Ravindra Jadeja will be the best option. Not only he will smack big hits in the death overs, but he will also grab wickets while bowling. His ability to bowl makes him a great option for the second spinner in the team. Moreover, his fielding will set the tone for the team while bowling. In 6 innings in IPL 2021, Jadeja scored 131 runs with 1 fifty. The left-handed batsman had a great strike rate of 161+. He also picked up 6 wickets.
Rahul Chahar
For the primary spinner’s slot, Rahul Chahar will be the best option. With 11 wickets in 7 matches, the Mumbai Indians’ spinner was the 4th highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021. He twisted the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, after dismissing all the top 4 batsmen. If we take a look at IPL 2021 performances of spinners, Chahar will be the best choice for the best team of IPL 2021.
Chris Morris
Chris Morris was definitely one of the overseas pacers who impressed with his bowling in IPL 2021. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Chris Morris scalped 14 wickets in 7 matches which made him the joint 2nd highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Moreover, Morris becomes an asset as he also comprises the ability to bat. It was totally visible during the match against Delhi Capitals. So Morris should be the choice of the pacer in the best team of IPL 2021.
Avesh Khan
Avesh Khan is one bowler who became quite famous after his stint in IPL 2021. The Delhi Capitals’ pacer took 14 wickets in 8 matches, becoming the 2nd highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Avesh Khan also managed to dismiss crucial batsmen of opposition teams which made him a great asset in the bowling zone. Therefore, Avesh Khan should be selected as the other pacer in the best team of IPL 2021.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel was totally commendable with his bowling show in IPL 2021. Patel ended up as the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 after grabbing 17 wickets in just 7 matches. Harshal Patel was the leading force for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the bowling department. There was a big chance that Harshal Patel could have ended up as the purple cap winner in IPL 2021 if the tournament was able to complete.