IPL 2018: Picking an all-time best IPL XI

There are only two weeks to go until the start of the IPL. As many people look ahead to what will unfold in the upcoming season, it is also a suitable time to reflect on the bygone years.

Indeed, the IPL has seen some truly incredible performances over the years. Some players have performed consistently well over the course of the tournament's history and deserve recognition.

In light of this, I have decided to select an all-time best IPL XI, taking into account players' performances across every season. Rohit Sharma captains the side and MS Dhoni takes the gloves in this star-studded XI.

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Openers

David Warner is the highest-scoring foreigner in the IPL

#1 David Warner

Left-handed Aussie opener David Warner has scored the most runs (4,014) in the IPL for an overseas player. Overall, this puts him fifth on the list of the highest tournament run scorers and he has played in an incredible 114 matches, showing the wealth of experience he has accumulated. Warner averages in excess of 40, which is the second highest of all time (for batsmen who have played in over 50 IPL games).

The Sunrisers Hyderabad star has won the orange cap in two separate years – in 2015 and last year. In 2016, Virat Kohli claimed the orange cap with a breathtaking haul of 973 runs in the season but Warner still kept pace with an impressive 848. Warner also has the most IPL fifties out of any batsmen in the competition.

#2 Virat Kohli

India’s captain Virat Kohli has scored the second most IPL runs of all time, behind Suresh Raina. He has hit an impressive four hundreds in the IPL, with only West Indian powerhouse Chris Gayle having more (five). Kohli accumulated a record-breaking 973 runs in the 2016 season, which was the highest ever in the competition's grand history.

In Virat's last seven seasons he has averaged below 40 only three times. Since he has an IPL career strike rate of around 130 and a career batting average of more than 37, Kohli is essential in an all-time IPL XI.

Middle Order

Suresh Raina is the all-time highest IPL run scorer

#3 Suresh Raina

Chennai Super Kings star Suresh Raina has scored the most IPL runs (4540). Although he has never claimed the coveted orange cap, he has scored in excess of 400 runs in every season except two.

Suresh is the only batsman in the competition’s history to have scored over 4,500 career runs. More impressive, though, is his aggressive strike rate of around 140. Having one hundred and 31 half-centuries, Raina cannot be overlooked.

#4 Rohit Sharma (C)

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is arguably the single-most aggressive batsman in the world. Having scored two ODI double hundreds, not many people can dispute this claim.Rohit has scored 4,207 runs, averaging above 32, and striking at over 130.

Despite opening for India, Rohit usually occupies a middle order spot for Mumbai. He is also captain of this side since he has won the most IPL titles (3).

#5 AB de Villiers

The next overseas star is South African AB de Villiers. He has well over 3,000 runs and a brutal striker rate of around 148. AB has scored three centuries during his time with Delhi and RCB. His partnerships with Kohli have saved Bangalore on numerous occasions.

A career average of 38 shows his consistency. Also an electric fielder, de Villiers never fails to make an impact on the game and is a fan-favourite.

Keeper and All-rounder

MS Dhoni could get into any franchise's team

#6 MS Dhoni (WK)

There has arguably been no better IPL keeper than Dhoni. He has led the Chennai Super Kings to back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and always with the bat. He can either bat in the top or lower order and is a very versatile batsman and can bat in any situation.

He has scored 3,500 runs at an average of close to 38. This is the second-highest among wicketkeepers, only bettered by keeper-opener Robin Uthappa.

Dhoni has hit over 150 sixes and has 17 fifties. His runs have come at a quick rate of over 136. He could make it into any franchise's team.

#7 Dwayne Bravo

The “champion” Dwayne Bravo has become a global T20 sensation, as well as a part-time singer, and is now the leading T20 wicket taker of all time. Bravo has a strong record all over the world and he also seems to enjoy playing in India. He has taken 122 wickets in 103 innings. This the fifth most wickets in the competition's history. En route to this, Bravo has won the purple cap twice in 2013 and 2015

In addition, Bravo has 1,238 runs to his name at an average of close to 23 with a strike rate of 126. This shows his quality as an all-rounder and provides energy on the field.

Bowlers

Amit Mishra is the second-highest wicket taker of all time in the IPL

#8 Harbhajan Singh

Mumbai Indians star Harbhajan Singh occupies the No. 8 spot. The off-spinner has claimed 127 wickets over the years, which is the third highest ever. His economy rate is incredibly below seven and he is part of a very exclusive club to take a five-for in the IPL.

He is very experienced, boasting many years of international experience, and is a fan-favourite for his mostly loveable personality and comedic facade. Bhajji has also proven himself to be a handy lower-order pinch-hitter with immense power.

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

It is hard being a fast bowler in India. Yet Bhuvneshwar Kumar has certainly done well. Kumar has 111 wickets, which overall is the third highest out of any fast bower. His economy rate of just over seven is arguably even more impressive in batsman-friendly conditions.

Bhuvi has opened the bowling for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in recent times and took the most wickets in the past two seasons. No Indian fast bowler has more.

#10 Amit Mishra

Mishra has taken 134 wickets over the years, which is the second highest of all time. An economy of just 7.41 is very impressive as well. He is experienced and was a crucial cog in India's international side for many years; he is a key player in the IPL's history.

Amit Mishra is the first player in IPL's history to take three hat-tricks and will be playing for the Delhi Daredevils yet again this year.

#11 Lasith Malinga

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the IPL. His 154 wickets is twenty more than the second-placed Mishra. Malinga has taken his wickets at an economy of below seven. Malinga took 28 wickets in 2011 which earned him the purple cap.

Moreover, the unorthodox quick has an average (with the ball) of 19 and it is the best out of all bowlers to have played over 30 matches. His strike rate of around 16 shows how he is capable of prising open any batting line-up.

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Overall squad:

#1 David Warner, #2 Virat Kohli, #3 Suresh Raina, #4 Rohit Sharma (c), #5 AB de Villiers, #6 MS Dhoni, #7 Dwayne Bravo, #8 Harbhajan Singh, #9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, #10 Amit Mishra, #11 Lasith Malinga.