It's been almost a week since
IPL 2024
, full of twists and turns and some exciting, unpredictable, high-octane cricket so far, took off. Based on the performances so far, we thought it's a good time to form TOI's IPL XI.
RACHIN RAVINDRA (CSK): With his 15-ball 37 in the first match and a 20-ball 46 in the second, Rachin Ravindra has told the world that at Rs 1.8 crore, the Chennai Super Kings bought him for a steal at the IPL auction.
M: 2, RUNS: 83, HS: 46, AVG: 41.50, SR: 237.14
SANJU SAMSON (C & WK, RR): Ignored from the India set-up at critical junctures, Sanju Samson has shown his class as a batter and a leader of a team which has won both its matches so far. Can he sustain this form and stake a claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup side?
M: 2, RUNS: 97, HS: 83*, AVG: 97.00, SR: 146.96
RIYAN PARAG (RR): A youngster who was known for dramatic celebrations on the field, but ordinary performances with the bat, has finally come of age. After a stupendous season for Assam in domestic cricket, Riyan Parag is showing that he has improved beyond recognition with a fine show so far.
M: 2, RUNS: 127, HS: 84*, AVG: 127.00, SR: 171.62
HEINRICH KLAASEN (SRH): The 32-year-old almost took the SRH home against KKR in the first match with his breathtaking 29-ball 63, that included eight sixes. He was similarly brutal on MI bowlers in Hyderabad, blasting a 34-ball 80 not out which helped SRH post a record score of 277 for three in 20 overs.
M: 2, R: 143, HS: 80*, AVG: 143.00, SR: 226.98.
ANDRE RUSSELL (KKR): Showing that he still has a lot of muscle left in his shoulders, the 35-year-old West Indian produced a vintage knock in the first match against SRH and followed it up by taking crucial wickets. He also struck vital blows vs RCB.
M: 2, RUNS: 64*, SR: 256, WICKETS: 4, AVG: 13.5
HARPREET BRAR (PBKS): The left-arm-spinner from Punjab has been the jewel in the Punjab Kings' crown. The 26-year-old has bowled parsimoniously in both the matches he has played in so far.
M: 2, WKTS: 3, AVG: 9.00, ER: 3.85, BB: 2-13
MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN (CSK): 'Fizz' has played for a couple of franchises in the IPL but has looked at his best for CSK this season, especially on the Chepauk pitch, as was evident by his deadly spell of four for 29 in the tournament opener against RCB. With a tricky left-arm seamer like him at their disposal, CSK will be an even tougher team to beat.
M: 2, WKTS: 6, AVG: 9.83, ER: 7.37, BB: 4-29
VIRAT KOHLI (RCB): Returning from a break which forced him to miss the five-Test series against England at home, Virat Kohli hasn't taken long to find his touch. While he scratched his way to a 20-ball 21 in the first match against CSK, the former India captain came into his own while smashing a 49-ball 77 against Punjab Kings at Bengaluru. He also dazzled against KKR, scoring unbeaten 83 off 59 balls.
M: 3, RUNS: 181, HS: 83, AVG: 90.5, SR: 141.4
IMPACT SUB: SHIVAM DUBE (CSK): It's a bit tough on this allrounder since it means that he can't bowl, but we feel that Dube is the perfect choice to be our team's Impact Player. So far, he has smashed as many as 57 sixes for CSK, including 35 in last year's edition-the most by any Indian player in any IPL.
M: 2, R: 85, HS: 51, AVG: 85.00 SR: 166.66
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL (RR): Ignored by India's selectors, ace leg-spinner is doing what he regularly does-bowl well and pick wickets in the IPL.
M: 2, WKTS: 3, AVG: 14.66, ER: 7.33, BB: 2-19
JASPRIT BUMRAH (MI): For some strange reason, Jasprit Bumrah has been held back from bowling in the Powerplay overs by his captain Hardik Pandya, and that has been a big reason why MI have lost both their matches so far, as they have missed out on his early strikes. However, Bumrah has still found a way to sizzle, taking 3-14 in four overs against Gujarat Titans and then 0-29 when the carnage was on against the Sunrisers.
M: 2, WKTS: 3, Avg: 16.66, ER: 6.25, BB: 3-14
NANDRE BURGER (RR): With the pace and bounce that he's generating on these flat wickets, Nandre Burger looks to be RR's 'lethal weapon' this season. The way the tall South African, who can be genuinely quick, swung back a ball in the 140s to castle Mitchell Marsh and then terrorised Ricky Bhui, who fended off a scorching bouncer, tells you the damage that this 28-yearold quick can cause.
M: 2, WKTS: 3, Avg: 19.66, ER: 9.83, BB: 2-29
KUMAR SANGAKKARA (Coach, RR): The Sri Lankan great has shown the right qualities an IPL coach must have faith in the ability of his players, giving them the right kind of confidence and possessing tactical acumen to use the right player at the right time.
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