MS Dhoni in action during IPL 2018
The season 11 of Indian Premier League (IPL) has concluded with a bang as Chennai Super Kings bagged the title for the third time, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets. Over the course of 51 days, eight teams were involved in a gruelling tussle to reinstate their authority in the shortest format. The IPL is a perfect platform for every young player to make a name but consistency is the key that many players exemplified in the two-month long mega event this year.
Here is the list of players that make our dream team of the IPL 2018:
1. Shane Watson
The former Australian all-rounder showed his A game throughout the season for his new franchise Chennai Super Kings. He scored 555 runs in 15 matches with an excellent match-winning knock of 117 runs in the season finale. He also picked up six wickets with his formidable bowling. His consistency shows that age is not barrier in the shortest format of game and that's why he will be the ideal opener in perfect playing XI.
2. KL Rahul
The one player, who impressed the most with the willow this year, is KL Rahul from Kings XI Punjab. He showed that if you have good batting technique you can rule the shortest format of game. His brilliant batting was a sight to watch this year. The right-handed batsman scored 659 runs in 14 matches with the record of fastest fifty in the IPL history, which he scored against Delhi Daredevils in just 14 balls. That makes him the perfect candidate to open the innings with Watson in our team.
The New Zealand Kane Williamson skipper shut his critics' mouth this year, who thought that the text-book cricketer can't perform in T20 format. He led Sunrisers Hyderabad with Orange Cap on his head to the finals. He had an excellent season with the bat as the SRH skipper scored 735 runs in 17 matches and ended his campaign being the highest run-scorer. He is the ideal choice for the number three position, who can build the innings with his calm temperament.
4. Virat Kohli
Any team of the tournament will be incomplete without the inclusion of run-machine Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper is the most consistent batsman in the IPL history as he already has the record of 500+ runs in five different editions of the tournament. Kohli's team Royal Challengers Bangalore didn't perform well this year but he didn't disappoint his fans as the skipper scored 530 runs in 14 matches this year.
5. Rishabh Pant
The wicket-keeper batsman of Delhi Daredevils Rishabh Pant was the stand out performer in IPL 2018 with his destructive batting. Pant scored 684 runs in 14 matches which helps in grabbing the Emerging Player of the Season award. Pant also holds the record of highest runs by an Indian player in a match. He smashed 128* in 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is the perfect player to boost the run-rate of a team in the middle and last overs.
6. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C) and (WK)
India's most loved captain will surely be the captain of our team of the IPL 2018 as he clinched his third IPL trophy this year. This season, the fans got to see a flashback of 'Vintage MS Dhoni', who destroyed opposition bowlers and concluded in style. Dhoni was on the fifth gear this year as he scored 455 runs in 16 matches with an astonishing average of 75.83. The wicketkeeper also broke the record of highest stumping in the IPL history. Dhoni took his tally to 33 stumpings in 175 IPL matches.
The allrounder spot in the team has been acquired by the Mumbai Indians' star player Hardik Pandya. This season has been good for Pandya with the bowl as he picked up 18 wickets with a strike rate of 14.22. The stylish Mumbai player also had a decent run with bat as he scored 260 runs with a batting strike rate of 133.33.
8. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan has made a name for himself as now he is considered as the best T20 bowler in the world. Every big batsman be it Kohli, Dhoni or de Villiers all were struggling against this Afghanistani talent. Khan picked up 21 wickets this season with an amazing economy of 6.68. He also played a crucial knock of 33* runs with bat against Kolkata Knight Riders in the qualifier two. He will be our perfect spinner in the team of the IPL 2018.
9. Andrew Tye
Pacer Andrew Tye was the surprise package of this year's IPL and was a strike bowler for Kings XI Punjab throughout the tournament. Tye ended the tournament with Purple Cap as he picked up 24 wickets in just 14 matches with a strike rate of 14. He consistently performed for the Punjab side as he claimed four wickets three times and a five-wicket haul as well. He will be our first fast bowler in the ultimate playing XI.
10. Kuldeep Yadav
Left-arm Chinaman bowler of Kolkata Knight Riders Kuldeep Yadav will the pefect partner for Rashid Khan to exploit the opposition's middle order. Yadav picked up 17 wickets this season, with the presence of Sunil Narine in his team. It's an excellent stats for any bowler. Yadav turned out to be one of the best wrist-spinner of India with his consistency on the big stage.
11. Umesh Yadav
The 'Umesh Express' has done wonders with his speed and accuracy this year. Yadav has redeemed himself as a consistent fast bowler who can swing the bowl both the ways. The right-arm fast bowler picked up 20 wickets for RCB, who continued to disappoint their fans by geting eliminated before the IPL playoffs. Yadav's ability to strike wickets in the powerplay helped him to get into our team of the IPL 2018.
