GOAT IPL XI: What if greatest IPL players played in one team?

As of now, the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is in full flow. Like any other season, this season is extremely competitive too. All 10 participating teams seem to have an equal shot at the title. Only time will tell which teams qualify for the playoffs and which of the four end up emerging as winners of IPL 2025.

Over the years, the marquee T20 league has been witness to an extensive list of superstars and their spectacular performances. The prospect of assembling an XI out of all the top-performing players would make for an electrifying spectacle.

An entire XI of IPL’s standout contributors would essentially result in a hypothetical situation of the team being an extremely difficult opponent to overcome. This would probably result in that particular franchise emerging as the winners of the competition a record number of times. Another consequence would be that the IPL would have an even greater influx of funds through brand endorsements and marketing.

Speaking of the team, it would probably end up garnering a whole lot of revenue through various streams like ticket sales, stadium revenue, proceeds through merchandise, etc. With an international star featuring from almost all cricket-playing nations, it would mean an enhanced global outreach of the franchise. This, in turn, would lead to substantial sponsors wanting to collaborate with the franchise.

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Here is the Best XI if they play in one IPL team: 

1. Virat Kohli

It is impossible that a list such as this is made without one of the best batters in the world in the form of Virat Kohli, not being included, such has been his impact in the IPL. The leading run-scorer of the IPL has made the opening position his own, amassing 4411 (at a strike rate of 138.66) out of the 8063 runs he has scored (as of March 27). Kohli’s ability to pierce the gaps makes him a priceless asset not just in the powerplay, but after it too.

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2. David Warner

Many would back Warner to be one of the most impactful overseas players to have graced the IPL. The former Australian top-order batter averages 40.52 in the 184 matches he has played. As of March 27, he holds the record for registering the most number of fifties in the IPL (62). The swashbuckling southpaw has shown enough instances of destroying opposition bowling attacks on his day.

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3. Suresh Raina

As seen across the major part of 13 seasons in the IPL, there can hardly be any batter who matches Suresh Raina‘s counter-attacking gameplay. Raina has scored a total of 5528 runs in 200 innings. Other than his batting prowess, he had always been an absolute live wire in the field. Raina also provided a part-time option of handy right-arm off-spin in himself.

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4. AB de Villiers

The explosive de Villiers slots in perfectly at No. 4. The former South African luminary possessed the unique ability of decimating any sort of bowler on most occasions. A considerable chunk of his 5162 runs came via outrageously unorthodox shots at the back of the end of the innings. Even after playing 170 innings in the IPL, de Villiers boasted a mammoth strike rate of 151.68.

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5. Kieron Pollard

When Pollard used to strike it, the ball would stay hit. During his decade-plus stint being associated with the IPL, Pollard smashed more sixes (223) than fours (218). The hard-hitting all-rounder has played a lot of match-altering knocks. Pollard’s military medium pace is another dimension that came in handy as and when his side needed.

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6. MS Dhoni (c & wk)

Other than being a superb hitter capable of striking lusty blows with the bat, Dhoni has a whole lot of attributes ingrained with him. The former Indian skipper, despite coming in to bat at a relatively lower batting position, stands at sixth in the all-time run-scorers in the IPL. Playing his 18th edition, currently aged 43, Dhoni is still as quick behind the stumps as he was a while back. He has also been part of five title wins as CSK skipper, which further serves as a testament to his celebrated legacy.

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7. Dwayne Bravo

During his time at the IPL, Bravo could do it all. The T20 specialist was a highly effective lower middle-order basher. More than his batting, Bravo’s variations with the ball were an extremely crucial component for the teams he ended up playing for. During the slog overs, there were many occurrences where batters struggled against Bravo’s well-disguised bowling.

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8. Ravindra Jadeja

Much like Bravo, Jadeja fits into one of the most influential all-rounders in the IPL. The spin-bowling all-rounder has honed his white-ball game over the years. Jadeja could be labelled as a slightly better-rounded all-rounder than Bravo. As of March 27, he has scored 2976 runs and 160 wickets in 185 and 212 innings, respectively.

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9. Jasprit Bumrah

The yorker specialist has made a name for himself over the years. The Indian pace-bowling spearhead rose to prominence after dismissing Kohli on debut. Ever since that game, he has grown from strength to strength. Bumrah is no novice with the new ball either. The impeccable lengths he works with make it almost impossible for any batter to line him up.

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10. Lasith Malinga

Averaging a phenomenal 19.79 across 122 IPL games, Lasith Malinga ranks right amongst the top-ranked bowlers of the tournament’s history. Malinga’s ability to nail those toe-crushing yorkers at the death made him one of the toughest nuts to crack. During his nine-season stint with Mumbai Indians, he was always one bowler whom the side could bank on to deliver in the most crunch situations. 

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11. Yuzvendra Chahal

The crafty leg-spin of Chahal has deceived many batters over the past several years. Chahal’s presence of mind and subtle variations make him an attacking option even on flat tracks. As of March 27, he stands as the leading wicket-taker of the IPL, with 205 wickets in 160 innings. Chahal also has a healthy knack of taking wickets at crucial junctures of a game.