Former South African stalwart, AB de Villiers recently selected his favorite Indian Premier League (IPL) XI and he decided to name the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni as its captain. De Villiers, who plays under the captaincy of Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), also picked his skipper and himself in the XI.
After starting his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), AB de Villiers went on to produce one of the most admired partnerships in IPL history with Kohli at RCB. Both the stalwarts ave played a crucial role in RCB’s performances over the years as they also helped the team reach the final in 2016.
De Villiers picked his former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag as the opener of his side along with Rohit Sharma, whom he described as someone who has been playing ‘the best cricket in the world over the last 5 years’.
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No. 3 and No. 4 spots went to the RCB duo while England all-rounder, Ben Stokes, who is all set to lead the team in Tests for the first time, was picked at No. 5. Dhoni, who has led CSK to 3 IPL titles was picked at no. 6 by de Villiers while his CSK teammate Ravindra Jadeja takes up the second all-rounder’s slot.
Rashid Khan has been elected as the lone spinner along with Jadeja while the pacer department comprises of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kagiso Rabada in De Villiers’ IPL XI.
During a chat with Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz, De Villiers said, “Opening the batting, someone I started with at Delhi — Viru. And then someone who I think has played the best cricket in the world over the last five years – Rohit. Virat is at No. 3. No. 4 either Williamson or Smith or myself.”
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He further added, “Ben Stokes at No. 5. MS at No. 6 and captain, him and Virat can sort of make terms as captain. No. 7 at Jaddu. Rashid Khan at 8. Bhuvi at No. 9. Rabada at 10 and Bumrah at 11.”
AB de Villiers’ all-time IPL XI: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah.
