IPL 2019: The top-performing 11 of the season

The Indian Premier League 2019 is coming down to an exciting string of matches. Three teams have already qualified for the knockouts while the 4th slot is still up for grabs. Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals are still in contention for the 4th slot courtesy of some inspired performances by them.

The 2019 season has seen it all, be it the thrilling super over finishes between KKR-DC and MI-SRH, or Shreyas Gopal dismissing legends Kohli and de Villiers en-route a hat-trick. There has been some inspired display in all three departments.

As the business end of another successful IPL season is approaching, we take a look at the best possible 11 from this season.

1. Openers: David Warner and Jonny Bairstow

The opening slot was a no brainer for anyone who has seen the Aussie-English duo of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow bat together for Hyderabad. In just 12 matches, Warner amassed a mammoth 692 runs at an average of 69.20 with 8 fifties and a century under his belt. While Jonny Bairstow, in his debut season scored 445 runs in just 10 encounters he featured in before leaving to join his national side.

The current season has been especially critical for Warner, who missed the tournament last year, courtesy an unceremonious ban from cricket for a year. Warner's dominance can be judged by the fact that he leads the orange cap standings by more than 150 runs to second place KL Rahul.

Bairstow, on the other hand, has been exceptional in his debut season of IPL scoring 445 runs in 10 games averaging close to 56. The impact this duo had on SRH's batting is evident from the fact that the bulk of scoring has been done by the opening pair itself. Hyderabad can credit most of their victories to their opening duo, whose absence now is slightly starting to hurt them.

2. Middle Order: Numbers 3, 4 and 5

#3 KL Rahul:

KL Rahul has had a fairly decent season so far

Kings 11 Punjab opener KL Rahul has been in terrific form in this year's IPL. He started off a little wayward but soon regained his touch at the top. Rahul has scored 522 runs in 13 games so far, averaging in excess of 50 with 5 half-centuries and a century under his name. He has been a consistent performer for his side, being their top scorer along with being second in the orange cap race, behind Warner.

#4 Andre Russell:

Andre Russell has been the most valuable player in IPL 2019.

If cricket was an individual sport, this West Indian lad would have been undefeated in IPL 2019. The Kolkata Knight Riders' all-rounder has owned this year's IPL with his brilliant hitting all throughout the tournament. He has been KKR's go-to man in crisis situations, bailing out the team from unimaginable situations courtesy his superior form with the bat. Andre Russell is having his most successful IPL season with the bat, having scored 510 runs at an average of 63 and an astonishing strike rate of 205. Russell has been a potent choice as a seamer, picking up 11 wickets with his medium pace as well.

#5 MS Dhoni:

CSK Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is having another dream IPL season, helping his side to the top of the standings.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's love affair with the IPL is continuing in 2019 as well, with the CSK skipper not only leading his side to the top of the standings but being the southern giants' best batsman. Dhoni has always maintained that CSK provides him the freedom to bat higher thanks to the backup he has lower down the order. In IPL 2019, Dhoni has scored 358 runs with 3 half-centuries under his name, with an average of 119. Dhoni's average in excess of 100 clearly highlighting his ability to finish out games for his side which is an asset in the shorter format of the game.

3. Lower Order: Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard

The Mumbai duo of Pandya and Pollard can be brutal against any opponent.

The lower order slots would be going to Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, the explosive hitters from Mumbai. Both Pandya and Pollard have been phenomenal for their side, scoring quick runs whenever the team needed.

Pandya has been instrumental in his side qualifying for the playoffs, scoring 380 runs at an average of 47.5, striking at a rate close to 199. His innings of 91 against KKR (though in a losing cause) will be remembered for long, wherein he almost single-handedly won the game for his side.

Pandya has been vital with the ball as well, picking up 12 wickets for his side, becoming the second highest wicket-taker for Mumbai just behind Bumrah's 15.

Meanwhile, Kieron Pollard has not had the best of seasons but has played a crucial role in crunch games for his side. His knock of 83 while leading the side was the defining moment for Mumbai this year. He has scored 240 runs in the tournament with the bat and can be handy lower down the order for any side, add to that his experience and the live-wire he is on the field, you have a complete package in Pollard.

4. Bowlers: Shreyas Gopal, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Shami and Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada:

Kagiso Rabada has been instrumental in Delhi reaching the playoffs.

Kagiso Rabada has been arguably the best bowler in IPL 2019, with 25 wickets in just 12 games for Delhi Capitals. Rabada has been quick and accurate with the ball, being the star performer for the Delhi franchise. The fact that Delhi Capitals have conceded the least runs in death overs has a lot to do with Rabada's precision. He has been instrumental in helping his side reach the playoffs after a gap of 7 years.

Shreyas Gopal:

Shreyas Gopal can easily be called the find of this year's IPL

The Rajasthan Royals bowler is having a dream season personally, with the hat-trick against RCB being the latest feather in his cap. Shreyas Gopal has a knack of picking up big wickets, which he has time and again shown in IPL 2019. Gopal has picked up 18 wickets so far in 13 games, picking up prized scalps for his side whenever needed.

Harbhajan Singh:

Though in the latter half of his career, Harbhajan's bowling is just as good as it was in his initial days

A few months back, the CSK off-spinner was seen in the television studios doing commentary, hinting to many that he might be an old warhorse past his prime. However, the World Cup-winning cricketer proved all doubts to rest with a match-winning performance in the very first game of IPL 2019, scalping out the big wickets of Kohli and de Villiers. Harbhajan Singh has been Dhoni's go to the bowler, especially coming in handy on the slower tracks at the Chepauk. In a mere 7 games, he has picked up 10 wickets for his side proving to be an asset for the Chennai franchise.

Mohammed Shami:

His performances in this year's IPL are enough to justify his inclusion in India's WC squad.

Kings 11 Punjab's heavy investment on Indian speedster Mohammed Shami in the auctions has been fruitful, with Shami performing exceedingly well for the franchise. He has been the strike bowler for Punjab, picking up 17 wickets in 13 matches for Punjab. Shami's precision at the death has been useful for skipper Ashwin in containing a late onslaught by the opposition.