IPL 2019: The combined best overseas XI from the current IPL teams

The IPL extravaganza is just a few days away. All the teams are gearing up for the two-month marathon. The Indian cricket board announced the complete schedule for the group stages of the 2019 edition. The opening game will be played between the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on Saturday, 23rd March. The final is scheduled to take place in Chennai on 12th May 2019.

Each team has bought and retained strong overseas players in the auction. The team, who is smart in picking the right overseas players for every game, is most likely to qualify for the next game. International players play a huge role in a big tournament like this, however, some players might leave in the middle of the season due to the upcoming World Cup.

Respective cricket boards are keeping an eye on their players as the biggest cricket tournament is around the corner and they can't let their players get injured in this critical time. It's going to be a huge challenge for each franchise to sort out the overseas combination when someone leaves the team. The IPL is always blessed with world-class talents.

Let's have a look at the best overseas XI from the current season.

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#1 Openers (David Warner and Jos Buttler)

David Warner

David Warner is arguably one of the greatest T20 cricketers in the world. We could witness some classic big-hitting from an explosive opener like him. The Australian opener has scored over 4000 runs in this tournament -- the first overseas player to achieve this feat. We could also appoint him as the captain for the overseas XI for his phenomenal record as a captain. He led SRH to their first ever IPL triumph in 2016.

The other opener would be England's wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Rajasthan Royals asked him to open in the last season, and the right-hander showed immense hitting skills and scored a record six consecutive half centuries. He is expected to open for them in this season too. He could be the second opener for the overseas XI.

#2 Middle Order (Shane Watson, AB de Villiers and Kane Williamson)

Kane Williamson

Shane Watson can come in at number three. He was the opener for Chennai Super Kings in the last season and scored over 550 runs. This included a century in the final. The former Australian captain has batted in the middle order too. Hence, he could be effective with the bat in any batting position. Watson can chip in with the ball too whenever required. He is a more than useful medium pace bowler.

Kane Williamson could bat at number four. He is someone who can anchor the innings in the middle. Also, he can be the aggressor too, if needed. We have seen the glimpses of an aggressive Kane in the last season. The outstanding Kiwi batsman won the Orange Cap in the last season as he scored a whopping 735 runs.

AB de Villiers is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in the IPL, who has never failed to amaze with his batting skills. The middle-order batsman has played most of his matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He is just 47 runs away from becoming the second overseas player to score 4000 runs in IPL. He could be lethal with the bat on any given day. The former South African captain can contribute in the field too. He has pulled off some stunning catches in the past.

#3 All Rounders (Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo)

Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo

Andre Russell has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders for a long time. He can clear the boundary with ease. And there is no boundary far enough for the mighty all-rounder. The West Indian has smashed 68 sixes in the IPL apart from 65 fours. It sums up the power of the 30-year-old. He can also contribute with the ball and has taken 44 wickets in IPL.

Dwayne Bravo has been a consistent performer for Chennai Super Kings almost in every season. If you are picking the best overseas XI, it's hard to leave him out. The West Indian all-rounder has won the Purple Cap twice. He can also be a good finisher. In the last season, from out of nowhere, he won the game for Chennai in the opening game. The 35-year-old is one of the best athletes in the tournament. He has taken some stunning catches in IPL history as well.

#4 Spinners (Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan)

Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan

Sunil Narine made an impact in the IPL ever since he made his debut. The mystery spinner has played all of his games for KKR and has taken over 100 wickets for them. The right arm spinner played a vital role when they won the trophy in the 2012 and 2014 IPL seasons. Narine is one of those bowlers that the batsmen find hard to read. He can be good with the bat too and has been a regular opener for KKR in the last few seasons.

Rashid Khan is a rising star in the IPL. The Afghanistan spinner has delivered his best in all the formats he has played so far. The leg spinner is going to be a trump card for SRH in this season and is easily one of the best leg spinners from the present generation. His immense accuracy and control over the ball has been impeccable. No wonder he has been rated as number one bowler in ICC T20I ranking. The leg spinner has taken 38 wickets in 31 matches and has been one of the most consistent performers for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

#5 Fast bowlers (Jofra Archer and Andrew Tye)

Andrew Tye

Jofra Archer is the talk of the cricketing world for the past one year. Many experts feel that he should be a part of the World Cup squad for England. He made his debut last season and did well with the ball. However, he was a touch expensive in the second half of the tournament. But he has been a consistent wicket taker throughout the tournament. The 23-year-old ended 2018 season with 15 wickets. His ability to bowl a yorker in the death overs could be worth more than gold dust for any T20I team.

Andrew Tye has been picked as the second seamer due to his exceptional performance in the last season. He can effectively use the knuckle ball, which has picked many wickets for him in the 2018 season. The Australian fast bowler took a four-wicket haul thrice in his last five IPL matches. He also ended the season as the Purple Cap winner with 24 wickets.

(Note: The team has been picked based on the performances in the last season. There is every chance that they could be the star performers for their respective franchises in this season too. Hence, big players like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Lasith Malinga have missed out from this team.)