'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The cricketing seasons of Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) came to a conclusion with Chennai Super Kings and Islamabad United crowned champions in their respective leagues.
Both the leagues witnessed some swashbuckling team efforts, while many jaws dropped due to the individual efforts during the tournaments. Match-winning knocks, game-changing run outs, mind-blowing catches, and some scintillating bowling spells, the cricketing fans witnessed everything possible during the course of the PSL and IPL 2018.
Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 3 wickets to lift the PSL trophy, while Chennai Super Kings, who were making a comeback after two-year, lifted their third IPL trophy.
There were some splendid performances in both the leagues as many players caught the eyes of global fans cheering for them. PSL and IPL both witnessed heartbreaks and joy and it was all worth it for the audience and cricketing fans.
We take a look at the combined playing XI of PSL and IPL 2018:
OPENERS:
KL Rahul: Kings XI Punjab had an average tournament and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
However, on an individual level, KL Rahul surpassed expectations and became the third highest run-scorer of IPL 2018 with 659 runs from 14 innings. He bagged 6 half-centuries and scored the quickest fifty in just 14 balls. His ability to score quick runs on a regular basis garnered him plaudits from all over the country.
Sunil Narine: The West-Indian enjoyed a fabulous IPL with his team KKR getting the third spot behind winners CSK and runners-up SRH. Individually, Narine was at his brutal best during the IPL, where he racked up 357 runs and bagged 17 wickets, becoming the fourth player to score 350+ runs and take 15+ wickets in a season.
The West Indian all-rounder gave quick starts to KKR with his bat and had an economy of 7.65 with the ball with an average of 27.47. The player of the tournament in the IPL 2018, Narine’s all-around efforts were central to KKR’s third-place finish in the tournament.
MIDDLE ORDER:
Kane Williamson: The Kiwi skipper surprised many who thought he was not suited for the shortest format of the game. Williamson led the SRH side superbly after David Warner was ruled out following a ball-tampering scandal.
The 27-year-old took over the baton from Warner and went on to become the leading run-scorer of IPL 2018 by hitting 736 runs at a strike rate of 142.22. He also scored the most half-centuries (8) in the season and shut down his critics in the best possible manner. Williamson was lauded as the backbone of the SRH side.
Babar Azam: The Pakistani batsman was one of the finest players to have played in this season of PSL. Although his team Karachi Kings failed to get into the finals after finishing second in the league table, Azam caught the eyes of many with his superb consistency.
The 23-year-old scored 402 runs in 11 matches at an average of 40.20. He scored five fifties during the tournament, which was the joint highest with Luke Ronchi. Azam’s ability to control the game with his bat and pace it according to the situation earned him praise from all across the globe.
Rishabh Pant: The Delhi Daredevils’ dynamic wicket-keeper batsman enjoyed an astonishing IPL. He was the star of the DD side which failed miserably and ended at the bottom of the league table. Pant was the leading run-getter during the league stages with 684 runs at a strike rate of a whopping 173.60.
His highlight of the tournament was the unbeaten knock of 128 runs off just 63 balls against arguably the best bowling side of the IPL – SunRisers Hyderabad. The youngster, however, does not get the wicket keeper’s gloves in this combined XI.
Shane Watson: The Aussie enjoyed a fantastic IPL season, but he makes the list for his PSL outing, which was equally brilliant. Watson continued his brilliant form from the Big Bash League (BBL), scoring 319 runs in the PSL in just 10 matches with a strike rate of 135.16, becoming the fifth leading run scorer of the tournament.
The veteran also took 11 wickets for his team Quetta Gladiators.
MS Dhoni (C/wk): The former Indian skipper gets into this combined XI, not just because he is arguably the best captain in the last decade and one of the greatest of all time, but because he had a fantastic IPL season 2018 as well.
Dhoni’s return to CSK was an emotional one, and he led the team to their third IPL title. He scored 455 runs at a strike rate of 150.66, at an average of 75.83 which was the best in the campaign.
Lower Order/Bowling all-rounders
Rashid Khan: The Afghani youngster enjoyed a magnificent IPL 2018 as he picked up 21 wickets in 17 games at an economy of just 6.73. Rashid Khan was a nightmare for the batsmen as he bamboozled them with his trickery with the ball.
The 19-year-old sensation didn’t just contribute with the ball but with the bat as well. His game-changing knock of 34 off just 10-balls against KKR was one of the sole reasons why SRH qualified for the final.
Faheem Ashraf: The Islamabad United all-rounder enjoyed a fabulous season with the ball as he notched up 18 wickets in just 12 games, which was the highest in PSL 2018. His bowling was one of the main reasons behind the success of Islamabad.
The 24-year-old won the best bowler of the season award in PSL 2018 and ended up with the Maroon Cap.
Andrew Tye: Winner of the purple cap in IPL 2018, Tye took 24 wickets in 14 games and caught the eye with his brilliant and accurate Yorkers and Knuckleballs.
He was the standout performer in the KXIP bowling lineup which struggled a lot throughout the tournament. The 31-year-old racked up four 4-fers during the IPL campaign and was the standout bowler of the tournament.
Usman Khan: The Karachi Kings' left-arm pacer was one of the standout performers of the PSL 2018. He took 16 wickets in just 9 matches and was consistent throughout the tournament.
His ability to swing the new ball and nail the Yorkers during the death overs impressed many. The 24-year-old pacer had a strike rate of 12.00, which was the best in the PSL 2018 season. Usman was lauded as one of the best bowlers of the tournament and even veteran Shahid Afridi praised the performances which he gave throughout the PSL.
So, what do you think about the Combined PSL-IPL XI? Whom would you replace?
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
