The Best Indian IPL 2018 XI of the league stage

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League, with much fanfare and anticipation, kicked off on April 07, 2018.

During the course of past 32 days, we have witnessed some pulsating action in all facets of the game. While some of the stalwarts like Johnson, Yuvraj, and Maxwell have disappointed thus far, we have bear witnessed some exhilarating performances that have kept fans as well as the pundits on the edge of their seat.

With the league-stage now done and dusted, let us today look back and form the best Indian XI of the 2018 season

On that note, today in this blog, we will form the greatest Indian IPL XI for the 2018 League-stages:

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#1 KL Rahul

Rahul has been in the form of his life

Having been the bedrock of KXIP's batting thus far, Rahul started the IPL with a superlative 13-ball 50 against the Delhi. Opening the batting will be KL Rahul. The Indian Test opener was in the form of his life throughout the season and has accumulated 659 runs at an average of 54.91 and strike-rate of 158.41, which includes six fifties. With a penchant of power-hitting coupled with classical stroke-play, Rahul was the bedrock of the KXIP unit.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

The left-right combination of Rahul and Dhawan will be lethal at the top

Partnering KL Rahul at the top will be Sunrisers Hyderabad's, Shikhar Dhawan. In a team that relies heavily on their top-order, Dhawan has been a consistent performer for the SRH this season.

In 14 league games thus far, Dhawan has already accumulated 437 runs at an average of 43.70 and a swashbuckling strike-rate of 139.61, which includes four fifties, and will be a pivotal part for SRH in the Playoffs.

#3 Virat Kohli

Kohli has amassed 396 runs in IPL 2018

While his team has endured another disappointing season, Virat Kohli- the batsman has enthralled us with his superlative batting.

In 14 league matches, matches Kohli accumulated 530 runs at an average of 48.18 and a strike-rate of 139.10 which includes four fifties.

#4 Ambati Rayudu

The 32-year-old has been a revelation as a batsman thus far

The 32-year-old has been a revelation as a batsman thus far for the Chennai Super Kings.

Rayudu who represented Mumbai Indians from 2010 to 2017, was roped in by the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 auction and has thus far been in blistering form thus far, having stroked 586 runs in seven games at an average of 45.07, and a swashbuckling strike-rate of 153.40 including three fifties and a swashbuckling hundred against SRH.'

Rayudu's form will be pivotal for CSK during the business end of the tournament.

Rayudu's form in 2018 IPL has not gone unnoticed as he has earned the call-up to India's ODI squad for the England series.

#5 MS Dhoni (Captain and Wicketkeeper)

The Vintage MS Dhoni

One of the fairytales of this IPL thus far has been the resurgence of MS Dhoni- the batsman.

After striking at 121.96, 135.23 and 116.00 in the last three seasons, Dhoni has shown glimpses of former self thus far in the tournament.

Dhoni has already amassed 446 runs at an average of 89.20 and a swashbuckling strike-rate of 165.89 including a match-winning 70 not out and a 51 off 21 balls against RCB and Delhi Daredevils respectively. Dhoni's captaincy, as well as his batting, will be very crucial for CSK in the playoffs.

#6 Krunal Pandya

The left-handed all-rounder has been one of the shining lights for the defending champions this season

In at No.6, will be Mumbai Indians, Kriunal Pandya. The left-handed all-rounder has been one of the shining lights for the defending champions this season.

In a bowling attack marred with inconsistency, Pandya has proceeded to provide crucial breakthroughs for his side accumulated 12 wickets in 14 matches with an average of 23.66 and an economy of 7.07. On the batting front, Pandya has accumulated 228 runs at a strike-rate of 145.22, including a brisk 41 not out against KXIP at Indore.

#7 Dinesh Karthik

The KKR skipper will serve as an ideal finisher of the side

After leading India to a breathtaking win in the Nidahas Trophy Final, Karthik has continued his form in the ongoing Vivo IPL 2018.

Karthik has led his team from the front thus far, having accumulated 438 runs at an average of 51.50 and an imperious strike-rate of 152.59, including one fifty. Karthik has mastered the art of finishing off games this IPL, and he will have to play a pivotal role if KKR is to qualify for the finals.

#8 Yuzvendra Chahal

The vile little sensation-Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal has grown by leaps and bounds as a wrist-spinner in the past two seasons.

While bowling on a ground as small as the Chinnaswamy stadium, Chahal's strength lies in tossing the ball up whilst inviting the batsmen to go for the big shots.

In 14 league stage matches, Chahal has scalped 12 wickets at an average of 30.25 and strike-rate of 25.00.

#10 Siddarth Kaul

Kaul has stepped up big time in the absence of Bhuvi

Kaul's death bowling in the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a cornerstone for SRH's bowling success this season thus far.

With ice-cool temperament and a variety of skills, most prominent being the knuckle-balls, Kaul has bagged 17 wickets at an average of 25.88 and economy of 8.00.

#10 Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah has been the bedrock of MI this season.

Joining Bhuvi to lead the pace attack in the death overs is Jasprit Bumrah. Having lived in the shadow of Lasith Malinga during his formative years, Bumrah, with his slow deliveries to crushing reverse-swinging yorkers at the death, has grown to become an indispensable part of the national team.

Bumrah has been the bedrock of the Mumbai Indians bowling set-up and has already scalped 17 wickets at an average of 21.43, including a magical spell of 3-15 against the KXIP to lead his team to a thrilling victory.

#11 Umesh Yadav

Umesh has been brilliant in the Powerplay overs.

Umesh's strength lies in hurrying the batsmen with incisive pace and bounce, and he would come in handy during the Powerplay overs. With most of his dismissals as bowled and LBW, Umesh, more often than not hit the right straps in the 2018 IPL, and accumulated 20 wickets, at an average of 20.90.

In a bowling attack looking for consistency, Umesh Yadav was Royal Challengers Bangalore's most potent bowler, especially in the powerplay overs.

Umesh's performance has not gone unnoticed as he earned his call-up to the Indian T20 squad for the England and Ireland tour, after a hiatus of six-year.