IPL 2018: Knocked out playing XI that can beat the qualified teams

The league stage of the 2018 IPL has come to an end with Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals going through to the playoffs.

But, the teams that are knocked out from the tournament, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore had a lot of performers who took the IPL by storm. This list includes the Orange Cap and Purple Cap holders Rishabh Pant and Andrew Tye respectively.

Let us take a look at the playing XI that has the players from the knocked out teams that can beat the qualified teams.

---

Openers - KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul have had a good outing at the top

KL Rahul, with 659 runs in 14 innings at an average of 55 and a strike-rate of 158.41, has been one of the best batsmen of the tournament as he oozed class every time he walked out to bat. Unfortunately, Kings XI Punjab failed to make it to the playoffs and Rahul finds a place in this team.

Opening the batting with Rahul will be Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who was a revelation in the IPL ever since he was asked to open the batting.

The right-hander top-scored for his team with 512 runs in 14 innings at an average of over 36 and a strike-rate of 133.33.

Middle order - Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers and Rishabh Pant (WK)

Pant, Kohli and De Villiers will provide a solid middle-order to this team

The middle order in this playing XI is easily better than the middle order of every single team that will be playing in the playoffs.

After having scored 530 runs in 14 innings at an average of 48.18 and a strike-rate of 139.1, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli will walk out to bat at number three. Adding to that, he will also be the captain of this team.

Coming in at No. 4 will be Kohli's teammate at RCB, AB de Villiers. It was yet another season for RCB where both Kohli and de Villiers were the bright spots.

De Villiers had more impact than his skipper this season as he ended the eleventh edition with 480 runs in 11 innings at an average of 53.33 and a strike-rate of close to 175.

Delhi Daredevils wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will follow the RCB duo to the batting crease as the southpaw was very impressive in the league stage as he scored 684 runs in 14 innings at an average of 52 and a strike-rate of 173.

Unfortunately, no one in his team backed his good work with the bat on a consistent basis and take Delhi to the next round. He will be the wicketkeeper of this team ahead of Rahul.

All-rounders - Pandya brothers

Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya will bring in balance to the side

The all-rounders, who will be bringing balance to this team will be Mumbai Indians' Pandya brothers.

Both Hardik and Krunal were very crucial for the defending champions this season as they succeeded with both bat and ball.

Hardik's performance with the ball is one of the major takeaways for the Indian ODI side.

With the bat, Hardik scored 260 runs in 13 innings at an average of 29 and a strike-rate of 133 and with the ball, he ended as Mumbai Indians' best bowler with 18 wickets at an average of just over 21 and an economy of 8.92.

Krunal, on the other hand, scored 228 runs in 13 innings at an average of 22.80 and a strike-rate of 145.22 with the bat and took 12 wickets at an economy of 7.

Spinner - Mujeeb ur Rahman

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been a revelation this season

Last year, Rashid Khan took the IPL world by storm as he set the stage on fire and finished the tournament as one of the best spinners over those 60 games.

This season, Khan's national teammate Mujeeb ur Rahman is creating a name for himself.

He started the tournament on a great note as he castled Kohli off a stunning delivery in his second match in the tournament. Since then, he went on to establish himself as one of KXIP's best bowlers in the season.

Unfortunately, he couldn't play all the games as he got injured when he was hit on his wrist by Sunil Narine and managed to play just 11 games in which he took 14 wickets at an average of 20 and an economy of 6.99.

Fast bowlers - Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Andrew Tye

These three have spearheaded the attack for their respective teams

One of the surprise performers with the ball this season is Umesh Yadav as the right-arm pacer ended the league stage at second in the Purple Cap list as he managed to take 20 wickets in 14 wickets at an average of less than 21 and an economy of 7.90.

He has been a phenomenon in the powerplay overs for RCB as he troubled the batsmen with his pace and swing.

Australian fast bowler Andrew Tye is the leading wicket-taker after the league stage with 24 wickets but unfortunately for him, his team failed to go through to the playoffs and finds a place in our playing XI.

Completing the pace attack will be Mumbai Indians' pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who just edged Trent Boult for a place in the team in spite of finishing with one wicket less.

Bumrah finished the season with 17 wickets at an average of 21 and an economy of 6.88, something that is simply sensational for a bowler who bowls in the death overs.

Imagine a team having Tye and Bumrah operating in the death overs. RIP, opposition batsmen!

---

Our tournament homepage has IPL live score, Match Analysis, Detailed Stats, Fantasy Tips, Controversies, Match Predictions and much more. Bookmark it now!