The IPL season is now over and amongst all the murk, the Chennai Super Kings have faltered at the final hurdle. Sachin Tendulkar does the wise thing and retires from T20 cricket, being carried off by his jubilant Mumbai mates at the Eden Gardens. I'd posted a handpicked all-star XI a few days back. The team generated fair amount of enthusiasm and there were calls that I also make an all Indian XI for the IPL 6 season. There is no guessing how hard this one was. With all the stars going around, hogging the limelight, Indians are left with little time in the spotlight. However, there were one or two names that broke barriers and raised eyebrows. So on popular demand, here's my India XI:
1. Shikhar Dhawan:
(Mat: 10, Runs: 311, HS: 73*, SR: 122.92, 50s: 3)
Few Indian openers at the IPL 6 flourished consistently enough to make an impact. It was all about the Gayles and the Husseys and to a certain extent, Dwayne Smith as well. The big Indian guns Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were miserable failures, although Sehwag did make a cameo 95* the moment Sir Viv Richards arrived at the Delhi dugout. But Shikhar Dhawan was by far the most successful India opener, pipping his Sunrisers partner Parthiv Patel to make my India XI.
2. Rahul Dravid (c)
(Mat: 18, Runs: 471, HS: 65, SR: 110.82, 50s: 4)
A disputable decision to have Rahul open the batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan but his captaincy over the season has proven to be too valuable for the Rajasthan Royals to ignore. Going at a decent strike rate and standing solid as a rock (as always) Dravid bags the captaincy tag here, as he did in the all-star XI and is a worthy candidate to play the sheet anchor's role while the others go crazy around him. His calming influence in the top order will be more than handy.
3. Virat Kohli
(Mat: 16, Runs: 634, HS: 99, SR: 138.73, 50s: 6)
Kohli was made 12th man in the all-star XI, missing out to the magic hitting of David Miller, but there was no doubt in my mind that he'd be at No. 3 in the India XI. Kohli is a useful asset in any side in world cricket and his steady batting alongside the storm that was Chris Gayle and the genius that was AB de Villiers carried the Royal Challengers through the tournament.
4. Suresh Raina
(Mat: 18, Runs: 548, HS: 100*, SR: 150.13, 100s: 1, 50s: 4)
Arguably the best Indian T20 batsman, Raina's fireworks combined with Mike Hussey's class took CSK all the way to their fifth finals. With Raina and Hussey falling cheaply in the finals, CSK found themselves in a real hole. Testimony to the importance of Suresh Raina in the Chennai setup.
5. Rohit Sharma
(Mat: 19, Runs: 538, HS: 79*, SR: 131.54, 50s: 4)
The IPL-winning captain finds a place at No. 5. For many years now, Rohit Sharma has earned himself the reputation of being the Golden Boy who never discovered himself. In a competitive playfield, Rohit Sharma has lost out to many lesser talented batsmen in Team India. But along with Dinesh Karthik, the captain lent stability to the Mumbai Indians' middle order, allowing Kieron Pollard to burst out at the other end.
6. MS Dhoni (wk)
(Mat: 18, Runs: 461, HS: 67*, SR: 162.89, 50s: 4, Ct: 15, St: 2)
No doubts on this one. Best wicketkeeper in the world, best limited overs batsman, coolest customer in world cricket. MS Dhoni decides when a match should end and how. Unfortunately, he dropped himself far too low down the order in the finals (a decision he has made on too many occasions now) and found himself having only Ravi Ashwin for company. He's the finisher of this India XI. Hopefully, Rahul Dravid will send him in earlier in crunch situations!
7. Ravindra Jadeja
(Mat: 18, Runs: 201, HS: 38*, SR: 148.88, Wkts: 13, BB: 3/20, Ave: 24.84, Econ: 7.48)
This was a decision between Jadeja's bowling magic versus Stuart Binny's hitting prowess, but Sir Jadeja's golden arm helps him take the all-rounder's position. Jadeja's batting hasn't quite fired in the recent past. However, considering his exploits with the ball and the strength of the batting order here, Sir pips Stuart Binny to take the No. 7 spot.
8. Vinay Kumar
(Mat: 16, Wkts: 23, BB: 3/18, Ave: 21.43, Econ: 8.19)
VK did a grand job for the RCB, bowling his heart out each time he got the ball from Virat Kohli. In a side that was otherwise far too dependent on the batting, Vinay Kumar provided some moments of magic with Ravi Rampaul, saving matches, taking wickets and prolonging games into the super over. He also had the purple cap on his head for a little while.
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
(Mat: 16, Wkts: 13, BB: 3/18, Ave: 28.53, Econ: 6.50)
Like I'd mentioned in my all-star XI, when Chris Gayle went bonkers at the Chinnaswamy during his 175*, Bhuvi walked off the field with seemingly unreal figures: 4-0-23-0. In other words, an economy rate of 5.75. To know the obvious significance of that performance, check the scorecard. But for Bhuvi, perhaps RCB would have made 300 that night! That wasn't a one-off occurrence. Bhuvi's now famous swing bowling abilities kept pinch hitters at bay for the Pune Warriors all through the season, helping them finish one above the bottom rung. He'll be a handful with the new ball for sure!
10. Amit Mishra
(Mat: 17, Wkts: 21, BB: 4/19, Ave: 18.76, Econ: 6.35, 4w: 1)
Amit Mishra's name is no surprise here. Having made it to the all-star XI along with Sunil Narine, Mishra will now shoulder spin bowling responsibilities with Ravindra Jadeja. His new found confidence from the Sunrisers' fruitful season certainly would help him on the field!
11. Mohit Sharma
(Mat: 15, Wkts: 20, BB: 3/10, Ave: 16.30, Econ: 6.43)
The only real surprise perhaps in this India XI lineup. Indian seamers have never really been the most threatening at the IPL, save perhaps the odd moments of magic from Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan. But for the CSK, as Andy Bichel had said, Mohit Sharma was the big find. With good broad shoulders and a nice easy run-up to boot, Mohit ended up taking a mind blowing 20 wickets in his debut season from 15 games at a commendable average. Easily the find of the season.
12th Man: Dinesh Karthik
(Mat: 19, Runs: 510, HS: 86, SR: 124.08, 50s: 2, Ct: 12, St: 2)
As was the case with Virat Kohli in the all-star XI, Dinesh Karthik is perhaps unlucky to find himself as the 12th man of this team. However, given Raina's and Rohit Sharma's greater consistency in the tournament and MS Dhoni's natural wicketkeeping abilities, Karthik - as is often his case in Team India - will have to stay satisfied on the bench for the while. Unless, of course, Rahul Dravid decides to draft him into the playing eleven!
1. Shikhar Dhawan:
(Mat: 10, Runs: 311, HS: 73*, SR: 122.92, 50s: 3)
Few Indian openers at the IPL 6 flourished consistently enough to make an impact. It was all about the Gayles and the Husseys and to a certain extent, Dwayne Smith as well. The big Indian guns Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were miserable failures, although Sehwag did make a cameo 95* the moment Sir Viv Richards arrived at the Delhi dugout. But Shikhar Dhawan was by far the most successful India opener, pipping his Sunrisers partner Parthiv Patel to make my India XI.
2. Rahul Dravid (c)
 |
| Shooting at the Wall: Rahul Dravid at a presser |
A disputable decision to have Rahul open the batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan but his captaincy over the season has proven to be too valuable for the Rajasthan Royals to ignore. Going at a decent strike rate and standing solid as a rock (as always) Dravid bags the captaincy tag here, as he did in the all-star XI and is a worthy candidate to play the sheet anchor's role while the others go crazy around him. His calming influence in the top order will be more than handy.
3. Virat Kohli
(Mat: 16, Runs: 634, HS: 99, SR: 138.73, 50s: 6)
Kohli was made 12th man in the all-star XI, missing out to the magic hitting of David Miller, but there was no doubt in my mind that he'd be at No. 3 in the India XI. Kohli is a useful asset in any side in world cricket and his steady batting alongside the storm that was Chris Gayle and the genius that was AB de Villiers carried the Royal Challengers through the tournament.
4. Suresh Raina
(Mat: 18, Runs: 548, HS: 100*, SR: 150.13, 100s: 1, 50s: 4)
Arguably the best Indian T20 batsman, Raina's fireworks combined with Mike Hussey's class took CSK all the way to their fifth finals. With Raina and Hussey falling cheaply in the finals, CSK found themselves in a real hole. Testimony to the importance of Suresh Raina in the Chennai setup.
5. Rohit Sharma
(Mat: 19, Runs: 538, HS: 79*, SR: 131.54, 50s: 4)
The IPL-winning captain finds a place at No. 5. For many years now, Rohit Sharma has earned himself the reputation of being the Golden Boy who never discovered himself. In a competitive playfield, Rohit Sharma has lost out to many lesser talented batsmen in Team India. But along with Dinesh Karthik, the captain lent stability to the Mumbai Indians' middle order, allowing Kieron Pollard to burst out at the other end.
6. MS Dhoni (wk)
 |
| Helicopter: MS Dhoni taking flight |
(Mat: 18, Runs: 461, HS: 67*, SR: 162.89, 50s: 4, Ct: 15, St: 2)
No doubts on this one. Best wicketkeeper in the world, best limited overs batsman, coolest customer in world cricket. MS Dhoni decides when a match should end and how. Unfortunately, he dropped himself far too low down the order in the finals (a decision he has made on too many occasions now) and found himself having only Ravi Ashwin for company. He's the finisher of this India XI. Hopefully, Rahul Dravid will send him in earlier in crunch situations!
7. Ravindra Jadeja
(Mat: 18, Runs: 201, HS: 38*, SR: 148.88, Wkts: 13, BB: 3/20, Ave: 24.84, Econ: 7.48)
This was a decision between Jadeja's bowling magic versus Stuart Binny's hitting prowess, but Sir Jadeja's golden arm helps him take the all-rounder's position. Jadeja's batting hasn't quite fired in the recent past. However, considering his exploits with the ball and the strength of the batting order here, Sir pips Stuart Binny to take the No. 7 spot.
8. Vinay Kumar
(Mat: 16, Wkts: 23, BB: 3/18, Ave: 21.43, Econ: 8.19)
VK did a grand job for the RCB, bowling his heart out each time he got the ball from Virat Kohli. In a side that was otherwise far too dependent on the batting, Vinay Kumar provided some moments of magic with Ravi Rampaul, saving matches, taking wickets and prolonging games into the super over. He also had the purple cap on his head for a little while.
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
(Mat: 16, Wkts: 13, BB: 3/18, Ave: 28.53, Econ: 6.50)
Like I'd mentioned in my all-star XI, when Chris Gayle went bonkers at the Chinnaswamy during his 175*, Bhuvi walked off the field with seemingly unreal figures: 4-0-23-0. In other words, an economy rate of 5.75. To know the obvious significance of that performance, check the scorecard. But for Bhuvi, perhaps RCB would have made 300 that night! That wasn't a one-off occurrence. Bhuvi's now famous swing bowling abilities kept pinch hitters at bay for the Pune Warriors all through the season, helping them finish one above the bottom rung. He'll be a handful with the new ball for sure!
10. Amit Mishra
(Mat: 17, Wkts: 21, BB: 4/19, Ave: 18.76, Econ: 6.35, 4w: 1)
Amit Mishra's name is no surprise here. Having made it to the all-star XI along with Sunil Narine, Mishra will now shoulder spin bowling responsibilities with Ravindra Jadeja. His new found confidence from the Sunrisers' fruitful season certainly would help him on the field!
 |
| Super King: Mohit Sharma |
(Mat: 15, Wkts: 20, BB: 3/10, Ave: 16.30, Econ: 6.43)
The only real surprise perhaps in this India XI lineup. Indian seamers have never really been the most threatening at the IPL, save perhaps the odd moments of magic from Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan. But for the CSK, as Andy Bichel had said, Mohit Sharma was the big find. With good broad shoulders and a nice easy run-up to boot, Mohit ended up taking a mind blowing 20 wickets in his debut season from 15 games at a commendable average. Easily the find of the season.
12th Man: Dinesh Karthik
(Mat: 19, Runs: 510, HS: 86, SR: 124.08, 50s: 2, Ct: 12, St: 2)
As was the case with Virat Kohli in the all-star XI, Dinesh Karthik is perhaps unlucky to find himself as the 12th man of this team. However, given Raina's and Rohit Sharma's greater consistency in the tournament and MS Dhoni's natural wicketkeeping abilities, Karthik - as is often his case in Team India - will have to stay satisfied on the bench for the while. Unless, of course, Rahul Dravid decides to draft him into the playing eleven!
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