With the group stage, over after a long backbreaking period of 40 days of intense competitive cricket this tournament has reached its knockout stage. Four teams have managed to progress to the playoffs stage of the tournament. The table toppers MI have been the most consistent team compared to the rest of the franchises. They are the team with the most wins to their tally and points as well. And the other three teams RPS, SRH, and KKR that have qualified for the playoffs have played some amazing cricket in the last 40 days to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament. And the remaining four franchises that have failed to prove their worth have some players who have given some great individual performances which have lit up the tournament. The only thing that the teams at the other half of the points table lacked is consistency and team effort. Here is the Best XI from the group stage of this season’s IPL.
TOP ORDER
David Warner
The Australian vice-captain has once again proved why he is one of the deadliest openers in world cricket. He is currently the Orange cap holder with the most runs in the tournament so far. He has scored 604 runs in 13 matches that he has played so far at an average of 60.40 with a strike rate of 144.84. He has also become the 2nd player to score 600-plus runs in consecutive IPL seasons. The Australian pocket size dynamite and also SRH captain has led his team from the front, scoring a total of 4 half centuries and a century.
Shikhar Dhawan
The elegant Indian opener has been in sublime form this season. He is second in the race for the orange cap, giving tough competition to his captain David Warner. He has scored 468 runs in 13 matches at an average of 39.00. His fine form with the bat has earned him a place in the Indian squad for upcoming ICC Champions trophy. He has scored three half-centuries till now.
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Hashim Amla
The South African opener has shut all his critics up who believed that he was not suitable for the shortest format of the game. Though his franchise KXIP have not been able to reach the knockout stage of the tournament but he has made some huge contributions with the bat at the top of the order. He has scored 2 centuries in this year’s IPL most by any player.
MIDDLE ORDER
Rahul Tripathi
IPL is famous for promoting new and young talent and it is a huge platform to bring new talents to everyone’s notice. And this year is no exception. The RPS opener who was drafted into the side after 2 matches has impressed everyone with his batting skills. He has shown his ability to score quick runs at the top of the order. He has scored 388 runs in 12 matches at an average of 32.33 with a strike rate of 150.97.
Suresh Raina
Though GL sit at the second last position on the points table with just four wins to their tally, their captain has played to his full potential. He has been consistent in scoring runs for his franchise in the middle order. He has played some amazing cricket in the group stages. Although he could not take his team to the next round of the tournament he has performed very well on an individual basis. He has scored 442 in 14 matches at an average of 40.18.
Robin Uthappa
He has been a consistent performer for his franchise for many seasons with the bat and gloves as well. He has been impressive this season by scoring 386 runs at an average of 35.09 with a strike rate of 167.83. He has been the best of all the wicket-keeper’s when it comes to scoring consistently. He has scored a total of five half-centuries, more than any other batsman.
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Ben Stokes
The million-dollar signing for his franchise RPS has proved why he was the costliest player to be sold in the auction. It is his maiden IPL tournament and he could not have asked for a better start to his IPL career. He has scored total 316 runs at an average of 31.60, with a strike rate of 142.98. He has also scored a century in his very first season in IPL. He has also impressed with his bowling figures by taking 12 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 7.18.
LOWER ORDER
Sunil Narine
This West Indian mystery spinner has been a great bonus for his franchise this season. He has made some great contributions with the bat at the top of the order. His franchise send him to score some quick runs in the power play overs and he has been successful in doing so. He has scored 214 runs in 14 matches with a strike rate of 178.33 and has also taken 10 wickets at an economy of 7.27. His 17- ball 54 against RCB is the fastest fifty in the history of the IPL.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
He has been the pick of the bowlers. He has been the most consistent bowler for his franchise SRH over the past few years of the tournament. He is the purple cap holder with 25 wickets in 13 matches with an economy of 6.97. He is the go-to type of bowler that any captain would want in his bowling attack. His ability to bowl consistent yorkers at the death overs makes him more dangerous to play against.
Imran Tahir
He has been the perfect replacement for injured Mitchell Marsh. The South African leg spinner has been consistent in taking regular wickets for his franchise RPS whenever needed. He has taken 18 wickets so far in 12 matches that he has played with an economy of 7.85. He is third in the race of the purple cap.
Jaydev Unadkat
This young lad has impressed us a lot with his consistent wicket taking form for RPS. He is one of the main reason why RPS have reached to the knockout stage of the competition. He is the strike bowler for RPS. He has been a great find for RPS as he has been successful in bowling at the death overs also. He has taken 21 wickets in 10 matches with an economy of 7.38. He has also taken a hat-trick this season.
