IPL 2021: Team of the tournament
The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was one that was filled with superb batting performances, incredible bowling spells, scintillating comebacks and of course, ravishing fielding efforts. And, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged as the champions of IPL 2021 and clinched their 4th IPL trophy. With the 14th IPL edition drawing to a close, let us take a look at the Best XI of IPL 2021.
Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and KL Rahul
The openers in this side will be Ruturaj Gaikwad and KL Rahul. Gaikwad emerged as the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2021, and scored 635 runs in the tournament at an average of 45.36. Gaikwad played a major role in helping the CSK side win the trophy. KL Rahul gave superb starts for the Punjab Kings side and plundered 626 runs in the competition at a stupendous average of 62.60 and a strike rate of 138.80.
Middle Order and Wicket-keeper: Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Maxwell and MS Dhoni
Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi and Glenn Maxwell will occupy the No.3, No.4 and No.5 spots in this lineup. Samson was the backbone of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) side and scored 484 runs in the tournament at an average of 40.33. Rahul Tripathi played a key role for the KKR side with the willow, scoring 397 runs in the tournament.
Glenn Maxwell was in scintillating form in IPL 2021. The right-hander absolutely pulverized every bowling attack that he faced and scored a total of 513 runs in the competition at an average of 42.75 and a strike rate in excess of 140.
MS Dhoni might not have scored a lot of runs with the willow in IPL 2021, but his captaincy skills were top notch. Dhoni led the CSK side in admirable fashion in the 14th IPL season and led the ‘Men in Yellow’ to their 4th IPL title. He finds a place in this side purely due to his captaincy skills.
All Rounder: Ravindra Jadeja
The lone all-rounder who finds his place in this best IPL XI is Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja was outstanding with bat, ball as well as on the field. While the left-hander scored 227 runs in IPL 2021 at an average of 75.67, Jadeja picked up 13 wickets as well. And, his excellent catch to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer in the IPL final played a major role in swinging the momentum in favour of the MS Dhoni-led side.
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Rashid Khan, Varun Chakravarthy
Harshal Patel is the highest wicket-taker of IPL 2021 and scalped a whopping 32 wickets at an average of just 14.34. Patel hit the right areas and troubled the batsmen throughout the competition. Avesh Khan emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker and picked up 24 wickets in IPL 2021.
The two spinners who find a place in this side are Rashid Khan and Varun Chakravarthy. Rashid Khan was brilliant as usual and picked up 18 wickets in the tournament at an average of 20.83. And finally, Varun Chakravarthy delved into his bag of tricks and prized out 18 batsmen as well.
