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The first T20 game was played back in 2003 and five years later in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) was born. T20 is often referred to as a young man’s game; athleticism, fitness and trickery are all required to succeed in this format. Despite this, there are many experienced players who have played hundreds of T20 matches over the years and this IPL Veterans XI is a team that would challenge for this year’s title.
The team is made up of players selected by franchises in the 2019 IPL who have played over 100 matches in the IPL and are aged over 34 years. With these criteria it proved impossible to find pace bowlers, hence the age criteria was dropped to 31 years for the pacers.
As all IPL teams, this team has a maximum of four overseas players. As you will see, the team has a strong Chennai Super Kings core highlighting that MS Dhoni is a captain who rates experience highly.
So, here’s the team of old-timers.
Openers
#1 Chris Gayle – 39, Kings XI Punjab
Opening the batting we have the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle. The holder of numerous records including most sixes in international cricket, Chris Gayle is a devastating opener. With strength that allows him to nonchalantly caress balls for six, and a knack of scoring centuries in the shortest format, Gayle is a legend of the game.
With his form and age under question in the recent series against England, Gayle silenced all his doubters with two mammoth centuries. Gayle also bowled in the recent ODI series against and could turn his arm over if required for the Veterans XI. Let’s hope he can light up IPL 2019 with his big hitting, if so he may just guide KXIP to their first IPL win.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 11, Runs: 368, Average: 40.88, Strike Rate: 146.03, 100s: 1, 50s: 3
#2 Murali Vijay - 34, Chennai Super Kings
Opening alongside Gayle we have Murali Vijay. More known for his exploits in the Test arena with India, on his day Vijay's stroke-making can match that of anyone in world cricket. The unfortunate thing for Vijay is that his chances for the Indian team have seemed to dry up given his age, lack of form against Australia and emergence of exciting talents such as Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal.
With that being said, Vijay comes into the IPL in good form having scored a century and two seventies in his last three T20 matches for Tamil Nadu. Vijay will be keen to silence his critics this season, especially having only played one game last year.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 1, Runs: 12, Average: 12, Strike Rate: 120.00, 100s: 0, 50s: 0
Middle Order
#3 AB De Villiers – 35, Royal Challengers Bangalore
In at number 3 we have one of the modern greats, Mr. 360, AB de Villiers. With the ability to hit the ball anywhere he wants against any attack, AB is a player that draws crowds to games. Bowlers in the IPL will have sleepless nights wondering where to bowl to Mr. 360, especially if he performs as he did last year.
Sadly, AB has retired from international cricket and won’t be at the World Cup, RCB will be hoping he can show South Africa what they will be missing in this year's tournament.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 12, Runs: 480, Average: 53.33, Strike Rate: 174.54, 100s: 0, 50s: 6
#4 Yuvraj Singh - 36, Mumbai Indians
Our number four is the legendary, World Cup winning, Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj Singh’s inspiring story of overcoming cancer and making his way back to the Indian team have made him a fan favourite across the world. Founder of the YouWeCan initiative to combat cancer, Yuvraj Singh’s impact is not limited to the cricket field.
A handy left-arm spinner, Yuvraj did not have the best IPL last year, Yuvi came back with the bang in the opening game for MI where he produced some vintage strokeplay to make a half-century.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 8, Runs: 65, Average: 10.83, Strike Rate: 89.04, 100s: 0, 50s: 0
#5 MS Dhoni (c, wk) – 37, Chennai Super Kings
Captain and wicketkeeper of the team is captain cool, MSD. An excellent finisher and tactician, MSD is the most successful captain in IPL history having guided CSK to three titles. It's hard to look past CSK for the title this year with Dhoni at the helm.
MSD had an excellent season last year and has been a consistent performer in the IPL over the years. Another player coming under some scrutiny in the last few months, Dhoni recently found form against Australia. It's clear that MSD is ready to light up the IPL this season with his trademark helicopter shot.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches – 16, Runs: 455, Average: 75.83, Strike Rate: 150.66, 100s: 0, 50s: 3
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All-rounders
#6 Dwayne Bravo – 36, Chennai Super Kings
In at number six we have our first all-rounder, the champion, Dwayne Bravo. An IPL ever present, who can hold his nerve in the final overs with both bat and ball, Bravo is a great addition to this team. Dwayne Bravo is an entertainer and has a great personality, he must be a pleasure to play with. Bravo has retired from national cricket and will be missed at the World Cup this year.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 16, Runs: 141, Average: 35.25, Strike Rate: 154.94, 100s: 0, 50s: 1
Matches: 16, Wickets: 14, Economy: 9.96
#7 Yusuf Pathan, 36, Sunrisers Hyderabad
In at 7, we have another all-rounder and 2011 World Cup winner, Yusuf Pathan who is a destructive hitter and handy spinner. Although Pathan's days in the India team have long gone with the emergence of all-rounders such as Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya, Pathan still has plenty to offer. His form last year with the bat was impressive and he will be looking to replicate that same form this time year.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches:15, Runs: 260, Average: 28.88, Strike Rate: 130.00, 100s: 0, 50s: 0
Matches: 15, Wickets: 1, Economy: 7.00
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Bowlers
#8 Harbhajan Singh – 38, Chennai Super Kings
Our first out and out bowler is another 2011 World Cup winner and CSK representative. Bhajji still has the trickery and brain to deceive batsmen in this format of the game. With his six or out attitude with the bat, Bhajji can also provide useful contributions lower down the order. Bhajji is beginning to transition from the pitch to our TVs providing insightful commentary on the game, can Bhajji finish his career on a high note?
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 13, Wickets: 7, Economy: 8.48
#9 Amit Mishra – 35, Delhi Capitals
Amit Mishra has been one of the most consistent bowlers in IPL history. His accuracy and hard to pick googly makes Mishra a wicket-taker, and an economical one at that. Mishra’s economy rate has been under 8 in 8 out of 11 seasons in the IPL which is no easy feat, a superb addition to the team.
IPL 2018 statistics:
Matches: 10, Wickets: 12, Economy: 7.13
#10 Umesh Yadav – 31, Royal Challengers Bangalore
The first seamer in our team is the seriously quick Umesh Yadav. A fiery bowler that consistently bowls over 140kph and moves the ball both ways, Yadav is an asset to any team. During his time in the IPL, Yadav has been a solid performer taking ten or more wickets in his last seven seasons, culminating in his best season yet last year picking up twenty scalps.
Recently, Yadav has been overlooked by India selectors due to the current high-caliber in Indian fast bowling. He will be hoping for a strong performance this year round, much like last year to force his way into the World Cup squad.
Matches: 14, Wickets: 20, Economy: 7.86
#11 Lasith Malinga - 36, Mumbai Indians
One of the great limited-over bowlers, Malinga is the final player in our team. A man capable of taking four wickets in as many balls, his unique action and yorkers make Malinga a great addition to our team. With over 150 wickets in his IPL career, despite the fall in pace due to his age, Malinga's vast experience makes him a great asset to the team, especially when bowling at the end of an innings.
IPL 2017 statistics:
Matches: 12, Wickets: 11, Economy: 8.52
(Malinga did not play in the 2018 IPL)
Thoughts
And that’s the veterans XI, A strong CSK contingent, will their experience guide CSK to the title this year.
Do you think this XI could challenge in this year's IPL, let me know your thoughts.
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