IPL in UAE: Gulf News picks dream all-time IPL XI of overseas players

Chris Gayle: The giant West Indian is an automatic choice for my team for the overall influence he has had in the history of the league. The Jamaican really stands tall with his surfeit of records and is sixth on the all-time run-getters’ list in the IPL (4,484 runs), not to speak of the highest number of centuries (six) or the highest ever individual score of 175.

Shane Watson: ‘Watto,’ the former Australia all-rounder, had been worth his weight for the franchises whom he played for: a devastating opener, skillful bowler and a reliable fielder. The blistering century which he scored for Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad is still fresh in memory - and the conventional wisdom of using a left-right opening combination is also served if Watson comes out to open with Gayle.

David Warner: Don’t be surprised at seeing the Australian at No. 3 spot - he had been one of the biggest impact players of the league and can certainly adjust his game as per the need of the hour. With 4,706 runs from 126 games, Warner has the most runs in the league by an overseas player.

AB de Villiers: The best batsman of the team, they say, should bat at either No. 3 or 4 and there can be no dispute about the choice of the South African in number four position. The ‘Mr 360’ of cricket had been the mainstay of the middle order for Royal Challengers Bangalore and is in ninth position on the all-time run-getters’ list of IPL.

Andre Russell: ‘Dre Russ’ for Kolkata Knight Riders fans, the West Indian gave the team the X-factor when KKR won the title for the second time in 2014. The West Indians’ ability to send the ball soaring with consistency makes a mockery of the asking rates while he can trouble the batsmen with variations in his medium pace. I would have him at No. 5 irrespective of the team setting up a target or chasing a 180-plus total.

Adam Gilchrist: There could be the odd eyebrows raised over the selection of ‘Gilly’ as the wicketkeeper-batsman. However, a team like this demands a strong leader of men and the Australian is the perfect choice - having been the captain in five of the six editions that he had played until 2013. He had captained a somewhat rag-tag Deccan Chargers to the title in the second edition in 2009 in South Africa.

Dwayne Bravo: The West Indian all-rounder’s easygoing demeanour may not often suggest it, but he had been one of the key players behind the high success rate of the Chennai Super Kings. He stands second in the list of wicket-takers among overseas players and fifth overall with 147 wickets, while his finishing abilities have helped CSK prevail in close matches innumerable times. A perfect number seven for this power-packed team.

Rashid Khan: The young Afghanistan leg spinner’s choice over some stalwarts of the game who have played in the league - like Shane Warne or Anil Kumble - may raise quite a few eyebrows. However, in the limited number of years that he has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Khan has showed he is the epitome of the smart cricketer that one needs in this format. He has got a deceptive wrong ‘un, is a handy batsman and a brilliant fielder on the outfield.

Sunil Narine: The magical spinner from West Indies has been the most successful overseas spinner in the IPL by a long chalk. The wicket-taking spree slowed down a bit after a change in his action, but the Trinidadian still spearheads the KKR attack with his experience and variety - while his carefree batting up the order had been a big plus for the franchise in the past couple of seasons.

Lasith Malinga: The highest wicket taker in the history of IPL with 170 wickets, the Sri Lankan has been one of those larger-than-life characters who was one of the first bowling heroes in a batsmen-dominated format. Despite having lingering issues about his fitness, Malinga’s toe-crushers and skillful variations has made him one of the most deadly bowlers to face at any stage of the game in IPL.

Dale Steyn: If there are any doubts if class can prevail in this slam-bang format, Dale Steyn is a shining example to prove one wrong. The South African speed merchant has 96 wickets to show for his efforts with an economy rate of 7.14 but more than his numbers, it is the intensity he brings that makes him walk into this XI.

12th man: Jacques Kallis: It’s almost embarrassing to keep the South African great Jacques Kallis out, but the decision is in keeping with the horses-for-courses philosophy of IPL. A giant of an allrounder, he will still have to wait in the dugout and come in for any contingency measure - including that of an opener if one of them are injured.