Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has revealed his best eleven from the just-concluded 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans created history by winning their prestigious IPL trophy in their maiden season in the league.
While announcing his best eleven of IPL 2022, Tendulkar said that he has chosen the eleven solely for this season’s performance. Speaking in a video on his Youtube channel, Sachin said:
“It’s got nothing to do with players’ reputation or their past performances. It is purely based on their performances this season and what they have been able to achieve this season”
Sachin Named Hardik As The Captain Of His IPL XI
Sachin Tendulkar named Hardik Pandya as the captain of his side. Pandya led his side to victory in his first season as captain of any side. Sachin said: “Hardik was the standout captain this season. He was clear in his mind, proactive. I always say that don’t regret, celebrate. If you are able to celebrate, it means the captain is outsmarting the opposition and that is what Hardik did,”
Openers Of Sachin’s IPL XI
For the opening position, Sachin said that he would choose Jos Buttler and Shikhar Dhawan as he wanted a left-right combination in his playing XI. Jos Buttler was the highest run-scorer of IPL 2022 and was declared the player of the tournament for scoring 863 runs, including 4 centuries. On the other hand, Dhawan scored 460 runs in 14 matches.
“He accelarates beautifully and keeps rotating the strike. A left hander is always handy and Shikhar’s experience will also come useful,” He added: “What a season he has had. Fabulous. I can’t see any player more dangerous than him in this IPL. There are a couple but when Buttler gets going, not many can catch up.”
Middle-Order Of Sachin’s IPL XI
For number 3, Sachin picked Lucknow Super Giants KL Rahul, who turned out to be the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2022 with 616 runs in 15 innings, including two centuries. Picking him for the number 3 position, Sachin said:
“I really like his stability and consistency. He is a player who can pick singles and when he wants to hit sixes he has the ability to do that as well,”
Followed by KL Rahul, Sachin picked Hardik Pandya at number 4 and praised him for his crucial knocks. He said: “He played some crucial knocks. Just like KL Rahul, he can hit sixes at will. He has got brute power, his bat swing is beautiful and the stability when he wants to hit the ball is really nice,”
David Miller was picked at number 5 for his stellar form in IPL 2022 and because of the left-right combination in his playing xi. Sachin said:
“Bringing another left hander here because the left-right combination is important. There are a number of names who were there but I am going to play David Miller. He showed tremendous form, very good consistency and played some crucial knocks. What I observed this season was that he was able to hit towards all sides of the ground. It was proper cricketing shots and it was a treat to watch.”
Followed by David Miller, Sachin picked Liam Livingstone and Dinesh Karthik next in his playing XI. He also named Dinesh Karthik as his wicketkeeper. He said: “(Livingston) has the ability to hit sixes, dangerous player. He is very clear in his mind and backs himself. At number 6 that is a good position. His bowling will also come handy, I would ask him to bowl off spin more often,”
He added: “He showed extraordinary consistency this season. I felt he looked calm and composed. He looked in control. When a batter is calm and has the ability to play 360, he is dangerous and that is exactly what Dinesh Karthik did this season. He is an obvious choice for me.”
Bowlers In Sachin’s IPL XI:
In his bowling unit, Sachin Tendulkar picked Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal as his main bowlers. He said: “He is dangerous as a batter, one has to remember. He gets breakthroughs in the middle overs and his success rate is very high. I have no iota of doubt about him at 8,”
Sachin Tendulkar also hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the best death bowler in the world. He said: “The best death over bowler in the world. There are so many new names coming up in Indian cricket and they have shown amazing promise. I would say at this moment, Bumrah is my first choice. He is dangerous at the start and in the death overs. Others will have to push a little more to replace Bumrah,”
Talking about the purple cap holder — Yuzvendra Chahal, Sachin said: “He is the highest wicket taker. He always outsmarts the batter. Rashid will come in to bowl with him. If a left-hander is there in the middle overs I have the option of bringing in Livingstone and the third seamer in Pandya,”
Sachin Tendulkar’s IPL 2022 XI:
Jos Buttler, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (captain), David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.
