IPL 2018: Over-30 IPL XI

Right before the start of the tournament, the Chennai Super Kings were mocked for being an over-aged side. But now after 60 matches, they have been crowned the champions.

They're 35-36, not 55-56. A massive amount has been made of it. I'm not here to develop young players, I'm here to try and win the competition for the franchise. And that's why we value experience, because we think that gives us the best chance. Yes, it is exciting to see young players come and perform. But over a long season, I look for consistency and professionalism. I've found that older players who are still motivated, still fit and still committed, they can provide you consistency that gets you up around mid to top table, which allows you to progress in the competition." - Stephen Flemming, Chennai Super Kings Coach

Just like what their coach said, the CSK players have shown that experience is what matters in crucial stages even in the shortest format of the game, in which exuberance of youth is a big part nowadays.

In addition to the experienced players of CSK, many other campaigners aged over 30 have performed exceptionally for their franchises.

Here is a list of best XI players over-30 in this IPL:

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Openers:

Dhawan - 32 years

The dashing southpaw has continued his form from international cricket to the Indian Premier League. In the absence of Warner, it was expected from Dhawan to step and he has made many useful contributions for his team.

In the 16 innings, he scored 497 runs with an average of 38.23. Even his strike rate of 136.91 is higher than his overall IPL strike rate of 123.53. He has scored four half-centuries in the tournament and has played a crucial role in SRH's run to the finale.

Innings - 16 , Runs - 497, Strike rate - 136.91, Average - 38.23

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Shane Watson - 36 years

After the auction, many people had doubts about Watson form and fitness. Watson came into this IPL at the back of good PSL season and has continued his rich vein of form even in the IPL.

Watson has been doing a great job as the opener of the side and has managed to score two centuries this season, including the one in the final. In total, he made 555 runs at a strike rate of 154.59 in addition to picking up 6 wickets for his side.

Batting: Innings - 15 , Runs - 555, Strike rate - 154.59, Average - 39.64

Bowling: Innings - 11, Wickets - 6, Economy rate - 8.86, Strike rate - 28.00

Middle order:

AB de Villiers - 34 years

The Superman from South Africa has yet again shown his class in IPL. He scored 480 runs in 11 for the Bangalore based franchise, which include 6 half-centuries, the joint second highest by a batsman.

What's more special about his performances this is the fact that he was successful in surpassing his overall IPL strike by a big margin. ABD, who has overall IPL strike rate of 150.93, scored runs at a strike rate of 174.54 this season.

The 34-year old has not only performed with the bat but also has been exceptional in the field. His catch of Alex Hales against the Sunrisers is definitely one of the best catches in the world.

While it's time to mourn the legend's retirement from international cricket, but one must remember that Mr.360, in all likeliness, will be back in Bangalore to immerse the cricket fans in his world of magic.

Innings - 11 , Runs - 480, Strike rate - 174.54, Average - 53.33

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Ambati Rayudu - 32 years

In spite of this being the ninth season of IPL for Ambati Rayudu, this is definitely the breakthrough season for him. At the back of his performances, he was rightly rewarded with a spot in the Indian ODI side to play against England.

Rayudu has performed exceptionally as an opener and as a middle order batsman. In the 16 innings that he played for the Chennai Super Kings, he amassed 602 runs at a strike rate of 149/75.00.

His best innings came against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pune in which in he scored an unbeaten hundred against one of the best bowling lineups of the tournament.

Innings - 16, Runs - 602, Strike rate - 149.75, Average - 43.00

Lower order:

MS Dhoni(C-Wk) - 36 years

Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings - IPL T20

Had MS Dhoni scored six runs in the finale then this season would have been the best season for him in terms of runs but nonetheless, it was a great season for him. The Chennai Super Kings winning the league has been a great celebration for millions of fans who waited for two years and MS Dhoni's performance was the perfect icing on the cake.

In the 15 innings that he played this season, Dhoni managed to finish the innings on 9 occasions by remaining unbeaten. He had an average of 75.83, the highest in the tournament. MS Dhoni made 455 runs at a strike rate of 150.66 and has marshaled his troops successfully to their third IPL trophy.

Innings - 15 , Runs - 455, Strike rate - 150.66, Average - 75.83

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Dinesh Karthik - 32 years

Dinesh Karthik's first IPL season as a captain has been a great success. Even with the bat, he has been exceptional as he scored 498 runs with an average of 49.80.

With his performances so far, this can easily be considered as the best season for the dashing batsman from Tamil Nadu. Karthik scored 510 runs in 2013, but that was from 19 innings, 3 more than the number of innings that he played this season.

Even with the smallest squad, Kolkata Knight Riders reached the qualifier 2 in spite of a few setbacks. KKR came so far in the tournament not only because of brilliant individual performances but also because of the way the captain managed the limited resources.

Innings - 16 , Runs - 498, Strike rate - 148.03, Average - 49.80

All-rounders:

Andre Russell - 30 years

Andre Russell has been key to KKR's success this season. With the bat, he scored runs at a brisk pace in addition to bowling a few overs when the team is in need.

He struck the ball cleanly the whole season and had only a few failures with the bat. The Jamaican all-rounder has scored 313 runs at a magnanimous strike rate of 190.85. He has picked up a wicket for every 17 balls that he bowled and that too at crucial junctures.

In the initial few matches, Russell was seen facing a few fitness issues which seemed like a cause for concern for KKR who built their team their overseas players. Even though Russell failed in the qualifier 2, KKR will be happy with the way he contributed throughout the tournament.

Batting: Innings - 14 , Runs - 316, Strike rate - 184.79, Average - 28.72

Bowling: Innings - 15, Wickets - 13 Economy rate - 9.38, Strike rate - 17.46

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Shakib Al Hasan - 31 years

Shakib Al Hasan is one of the most underrated players in this IPL. Even though he didn't live up to his potential as a batsman, he did a great job with the ball. His ability to bowl at any stage of the game has been to the success of Sunrisers Hyderabad.

With the ball, he picked up 13 wickets in 15 matches and has been quite economical conceding only 8 runs an over. Even with the bat, he played a few useful knocks and was a crucial player for SRH, who ended the tournament as runner-ups.

Batting: Innings - 13, Runs - 239, Strike rate - 121.31, Average - 21.72

Bowling: Innings - 17, Wickets - 14, Economy rate - 8.00, Strike rate - 32.57

Bowlers:

Andrew Tye - 31 years

Despite Kings XI Punjab tailing off towards the end of the season, their Aussie recruit Andrew Tye finished as the purple cap holder, with 24 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 18.67, behind only Lungi Ngidi.

Tye used variations quite well in the tournament and his most potent weapons have been the yorker and the knuckleball. The Australian fast bowler conceded runs at an economy rate of 8, which is commendable considering the fact that he bowled a large share of his overs in the death.

Innings - 14, Wickets - 24, Economy rate - 8.00, Strike rate - 14.00

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Ravichandran Ashwin - 31 years

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin as a captain had a great start to the season but things took a sharp U-turn in no time. Kings XI Punjab who were cruising through with 5 wins in 6 matches, lost 7 out of the last 8 matches, including a 5 match losing streak at the end.

With the ball, he took 10 wickets in 14 innings with a decent economy rate of 8.09. Ashwin had a new weapon in his arsenal, the leg break, which he was seen using in this season.

As the prominence of wrist spinners keeps on increasing, we might see a few more off-spinners, like Ashwin, adapting according to the need of the hour.

Innings - 14, Wickets - 10, Economy rate - 8.09, Strike rate - 30.40

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Umesh Yadav - 30 years

Umesh Yadav was breathing fire with the new ball in the recently concluded season of the IPL. He accounted for the highest number of wickets in powerplay overs in the tournament, and in total, he finished with 20 wickets in 14 innings and was fourth on the list of highest wicket-takers.

He also has a decent economy rate of 7.86 mainly bowling in the powerplays. With his performances in IPL, Umesh Yadav will hope to play in the 2019 World Cup next year.

Innings - 14, Wickets - 20, Economy rate - 7.86, Strike rate - 15.95