IPL 2018: Foreigner's XI of the season

Foreign players are key assets to any IPL side. Given the fact that you can play only four of them at a time, teams want their foreigners to step up and make a big impact and thus, they end up being the match-winners in most games

These overseas professionals are under tremendous pressure every time they play since they are aware that the franchises do not bear a prolonged period of a lean patch and sack them.

This IPL has seen many foreign players make an impact. Their performances have been instrumental in winning key games for their sides. Let us make an XI out of the best foreign performers of the season.

Openers - Jos Buttler and Chris Lynn

1) Jos Buttler (WK)

The England wicket-keeper has been absolutely phenomenal for the Rajasthan Royals at the top of the order, this IPL. Buttler scored 5 consecutive fifties towards the business end of the tournament to help the Royals seal a playoffs berth.

He ended up scoring 548 runs in IPL 2018 at an average of 55. Certainly, he was the most consistent foreign openers this IPL. He will be the glovesman of this foreigner's XI.

2) Chris Lynn

In an edition when not a lot of foreign batsmen did well, Chris Lynn had a pretty decent season. Lynn is a kind of player who can take the game away if he stays for 5-6 overs.

During the level stage of the IPL. Despite all his struggles against spin, Lynn managed to churn out 425 runs at an average of 32. 400 runs in an IPL season is never considered bad and Lynn is the right man to open in this XI.

.

Middle Order - Kane Williamson, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson

3) Kane Williamson (C)

The words 'consistency' and Kane Williamson are synonymous. The New Zealand skipper has had a staggering IPL season so far scoring 685 runs at an average of 57 striking at close to 140.

Williamson's sound technique has been the main reason for his IPL success. No one can provide stability to the middle order better than Williamson and hence, he is the best man to bat at No.3 in this XI.

Being the only overseas captain, Williamson is chosen as leader of this team.

4) AB de Villiers

Enter caption

The RCB performed badly this IPL, but AB de Villiers was still the winner! IPL's 'Spiderman' scored 480 runs from 11 innings at a strike rate of more than 170 including 30 sixes.

He has entertained the crowd with a wide range of innovative shots as well. Out of RCB's 6 wins, AB won 3 matches single-handedly. This foreigner's XI will be incomplete without putting him in the middle order.

5) Shane Watson

A surprising signing by the Chennai Super Kings worked out pretty well for them as Watson contributed a lot, opening the innings. At a point when everyone thought Watson's IPL days might be done, he stepped up and performed.

Watson's 438 runs at the top of the order this year has been decisive in giving CSK good starts. An impressive season makes him a suitable candidate for No.5 in this line-up. He can chip in with few overs as well.

All Rounder - Andre Russell

6) Andre Russell

The big man Dre Russ continues to be a great utility player for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He has blasted 313 runs in this IPL and has struck 31 enormous sixes in this IPL.

His strike rate of 190 is highest among all who have faced 100 balls this IPL, not to forget his 13 wickets with the ball. The West Indian has, by far, been the best fast bowling all-rounder this IPL and is a worthy inclusion in the foreigner's XI.

Fast Bowlers - Andrew Tye and Trent Boult

7) Andrew Tye

The purple cap holder of the IPL is leading by a fair margin, sitting pretty on 24 wickets. Throughout the IPL, Tye was the lone fast bowler from the KXIP unit who looked threatening.

The Australian has a bag of slower deliveries up his sleeve and manages to deceive the batsmen frequently. Having Tye in this XI will provide variety to the bowling attack and also take care of the death overs.

8) Trent Boult

The Kiwi pacer has been one of the very few positives for the Daredevils during their dismal IPL season. Boult picked 18 wickets during the league stage and was impressive at all times in the game.

He can give 3 good overs upfront and is mighty effective with his yorkers at the death as well. His ability to make the ball early in the innings provides the team with a great weapon to get early breakthroughs.

Spinners - Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman

9) Sunil Narine

The Trinidadian off-spinner has been mighty effective for the KKR as always, playing counter-attacking innings at the top and bowling crucial overs.

Sunil Narine has been KKR's leading wicket-taker with the ball and fourth leading run-scorer with the bat with 16 wickets and 331 runs in the league stage. It is fair to say he has been KKR's man for all seasons. Even though he has opened, he will bat down the order in this line-up in presence of other big names.

10) Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan has been picking wickets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the IPL. The leggie picked up 18 wickets for the Sunrisers Hyderabad so far.

He has been instrumental for the Sunrisers in defending low totals and by far, he is the best foreign spinner in the league.

11) Mujeeb ur Rahman

The youngest debutant in the IPL had a sensational maiden season. Mujeeb shouldered the responsibility spin-bowling attack of the Kings XI alone. He ended up with 14 wickets from 11 games.

His googly has been very hard to decipher for the batsmen. It will be unfair to leave him out of the foreigner's XI of the season, for he has been sensational!