R Ashwin names his all-time IPL XI with MS Dhoni as skipper

Aug. 30, 2024, 5:47 a.m.

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Ravichandran Ashwin tackled the challenge of selecting his all-time best IPL team, featuring seven Indian players.

As with any such list, some notable players were left out. Stars like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and Gautam Gambhir did not make the cut.

The off-spinner selected four Mumbai Indians players in his lineup, while also choosing two from his former team, Chennai Super Kings.

In choosing a captain, Ashwin opted for MS Dhoni over Rohit Sharma, despite the latter's greater number of IPL titles as captain.

Advertisement Leading the order, Ashwin chose Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to open the batting, with Suresh Raina batting at No. 3.

Rohit and Virat have consistently opened for their respective teams, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in the IPL for a significant period and even opened the innings for India in T20 Internationals during the T20 World Cup.

At No. 4, Ashwin picked ‘Mr. 360’ Suryakumar Yadav. No surprises for the wicket-keeper spot as MS Dhoni earned the nod in Ashwin’s team.

For his spin bowling duo, Ashwin selected Sunil Narine and Rashid Khan. Both are capable batsmen in addition to being skilled spinners.

Ashwin rounded out his bowling attack with three seamers: the legendary Lasith Malinga alongside the Indian duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

Ashwin made his selections during a conversation on the YouTube channel of former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth, known as 'Cheeky Cheeka'.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s all-time IPL XI: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Suryakumar Yadav, Ab de Villiers, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga