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The Indian Premier League has become one of the best sporting events in the world and one of the main reason is the quality of cricket on show from the best cricketers across the globe. This tournament has not only given the opportunity for young Indian players to showcase their talent but also to rub shoulders with the legends of the game.
Over the years, the dynamics of including four foreign players in the playing XI has been a challenge to all the franchises in order to get their combination right. In this year's IPL, there have been hits and misses when it comes to overseas players. Let us take a look at the overseas XI of IPL 2018.
Openers
#1 Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals)
IPL 2018: Matches - 13; Runs - 548; SR - 155.24; HS - 95*; CT - 9; ST - 1
Rajasthan Royals' fortunes changed upside down once the team decided to send him at the top of the order. Buttler was under-utilized in the middle order as he was not getting enough balls to do any sort of damage.
Since he was moved to open the innings, Buttler scored 6 half centuries and in a couple of matches played right through the innings to take his team home. Jos Buttler is in the same league as AB de Villiers in terms of scoring at 360 degrees and that makes it tough for the bowlers and captain to set the field.
#2 Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)
IPL 2018: Matches - 16; Runs - 357; SR - 189.89; HS - 75; Wkts - 17; Econ - 7.65
Sunil Narine's role at the top of the order was supposed to be a pinch hitter but the left-hander has brought some method to the madness with some clear striking. Even though he has struggled against the short ball, the fact that the bowler can bowl only one per over gives him the advantage to attack other deliveries.
The secret to his success has been the way he has looked to hit them straight and not go across the line. He was equally devastating against both pace and spin and had given KKR electrifying starts.
Top order
#3 Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)
IPL 2018: Matches - 14; Runs - 438; SR - 145.03; HS - 106; Wkts - 6; Econ - 8.96
The Australian has been in prolific form with the bat for Chennai Super Kings. Over the years, the men in yellow have preferred an aggressive overseas batsman at the top and this year they picked Watson at the auctions to do that job.
The all-rounder has delivered the goods and he turned the clock back during the hundred he scored against Rajasthan Royals. Watson has been one of the main architects of CSK reaching yet another finals in IPL.
#4 Kane Williamson (c) (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
IPL 2018: Matches - 16; Runs - 688; SR - 143.33; HS - 84; 50s - 8
The New Zealand skipper has been a revelation in this edition of IPL. If Warner was available for SRH, Williamson may even not have been a regular fixture in the side as in the previous years. But he has taken up the responsibility of leading the side which was rocked even before the tournament started.
Due to his consistent performances with the bat on a tricky surface at Hyderabad, Williamson has led his team into the playoffs. Williamson has shown the world that touch players can be as effective as stoke makers in this format.
Middle order and All-rounders
#5 AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
IPL 2018: Matches - 12; Runs - 480; SR - 174.54; HS - 90*; 50s - 6
Even though RCB didn't qualify for the playoffs, AB de Villiers was at his usual best. The great advantage with de Villiers is he can play both orthodox as well as innovative shots and doesn't take much time to switch gears.
This year he was very keen to blaze away at the start of the innings unlike previous editions. The pressure was too much on the South African to deliver every time and in the end, RCB failed to qualify with fewer contributions from the supporting cast.
#6 Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)
IPL 2018: Matches - 16; Runs - 316; SR - 184.79; HS - 88*; Wkts - 13; Econ - 9.38
The West Indian was one of the players Kolkata Knight Riders retained and managed to make an impact with both bat and ball.
Even though he hasn't been that consistent, Andre Russell is a kind of player who can change the course of the game in a couple of overs and his strike rate suggests that. In few games, he has picked up crucial wickets too with effective short pitch bowling.
#7 Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
IPL 2018: Matches - 15; Runs - 141; SR - 154.94; HS - 68; Wkts - 13; Econ - 9.83
Even though Dwayne Bravo hasn't been at his wonderful best in this year's IPL, the West Indian all-rounder have won them one game with the bat and few other crucial spells that has lead CSK to victory.
He started IPL 2018 with one of the best knocks in tournament's history against Mumbai Indians when he turned the game with lusty blows to seal the game from the jaws of defeat. He has been given the tough job of bowling his quota of overs only in the death by MS Dhoni and hence has been going for runs. But come the finals, Bravo's experience of holding his nerve will be critical for CSK.
Fast Bowlers
#8 Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)
IPL 2018: Matches - 10; Wkts - 15; Econ - 8.36; SR - 15.53; BBM - 3-22
This West Indian born English player has been the find of IPL 2018. After setting the Big Bash League on fire last season, Archer was a hot property at the auctions earlier this year and was finally bought by Rajasthan Royals.
Rahane led side's fortune changed once Archer was available to play after missing the early part of the tournament due to injury. Bowling with a smooth run-up, Archer has been able to surprise batsmen with pace and has used his bouncers and pinpoint yorkers to great effect.
#9 Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab)
IPL 2018: Matches - 14; Wkts - 24; Econ - 8.00; SR - 14.00; BBM - 4-16
Andrew Tye has got the reputation of being one of the best bowlers in this format because of his variations and he has lived up to it. The Purple cap holder has deceived batsmen with knuckleballs, slow bouncer and accurate yorkers at the death. The key for a bowler to be successful in this format is the unpredictability and this Australian quick has been spot on with so many variations.
Spin Bowlers
#10 Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
IPL 2018: Matches - 16; Wkts - 21; Econ - 6.78; SR - 18.28; BBM - 3-19
This Afghan leg-spinner has been nothing short of exceptional for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 11th edition. After having done so well in the first year, there was a challenge as to how Rashid performs in his second season.
Without a doubt, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been the best bowling team in this year's IPL and Rashid Khan is a big part in that. The trajectory combined with leg-breaks and googlies have been tough for batsmen to read and that includes even Indians, who are known to pick the spinners well.
#11 Mujeeb ur Rahman (Kings XI Punjab)
IPL 2018: Matches - 11; Wkts - 14; Econ - 6.99; SR - 17.71; BBM - 3-27
Another mystery spinner from the land of Afghanistan, Mujeeb ur Rahman has made batsmen's life terrible in IPL 2018. Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin has shown a lot of confidence in his young spinner by giving the most difficult overs.
He has been used as a run-saving as well as wicket-taking option and so far the 17-year old has kept his nerves and delivered for Punjab. The untimely injury to Mujeeb was a big setback for Punjab and as a result they failed to qualify for the playoffs despite the wonderful start to the tournament.
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