The league stage of the IPL 2022 – constituting of 70 matches – ended with Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore finishing in the top four and proceeding to the playoffs.
The Indian core of all these four teams was supported – someone even spearheaded – by the overseas contingent with the foreign stars delivering some memorable performances.
Here we look at the best overseas XI of IPL 2022:
Jos Buttler
The current Orange Cap holder Jos Buttler is having his best IPL season. The Royals opener has smashed 718 runs runs in 15 matches (including the Qualifier 1 vs Gujarat) at a strike rate of 148. He has notched up 3 centuries and 4 fifties in his dream season so far.
Quinton de Kock (wk)
Lucknow Super Giants opener Quinton de Kock gelled very well with his opening partner, LSG skipper KL Rahul, in IPL 2022. The South African amassed 508 runs in 15 outings at a strike rate of 148, including hitting his second IPL ton, six years after his maiden one. However, de Kock couldn’t help his side in the Eliminator vs RCB.
David Warner (C)
Although at number 3 in this eleven, David Warner, who struggled for runs last season, was back to his best in IPL 2022, finishing with 432 runs scored in 12 innings, averaging 48 and striking at 150. Warner’s slammed his best knock of the season, 92*, vs his former team, SRH. But, Warner and the Delhi Capitals missed the playoff spot by two points.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone had his breakthrough year in IPL 2022, smoking 437 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 182; he also chipped in with his handy mixture of off-spin and leg-spin, picking up 6 wickets in 23 overs. However, his all-round brilliance wasn’t enough to take Punjab Kings through to the playoffs.
David Miller
If it was in David Miller’s arc, it was out of the park. Playing for Gujarat Titans, Miller showed a great blend of conservatism when needed and his explosive batting show. In 15 games so far, he has scored 449 runs at a strike rate of 141, while remaining not out on 8 occasions. His 68* in a tight run-chase versus the Royals in Qualifier 1 helped GT to the final of IPL 2022.
Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer has had to play the crucial role of the finisher in a RR side lacking batting depth; the West Indian played it to the tee. Remaining unbeaten in 7 of his 13 innings, the southpaw has scored 301 runs at a strike rate of 159, regularly giving RR the grandstand finish.
Andre Russell
After two disappointing seasons, Andre Russell was back to his best in IPL 2022- with both bat and ball. He bludgeoned 335 runs at a strike rate of 174, including a 70*. Russell also finished as KKR’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps to his name.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga was the main man for RCB in the bowling department in the middle-overs in IPL 2022, after Hazlewood and before Harshal. The leg-spinner is in contention for the Purple Cap, having taken 25 wickets in 15 matches.
Rashid Khan
Gujarat Titans’ vice-captain Rashid Khan is having another Rashid Khan IPL season: 18 wickets in 15 matches while conceding at just 6.73 runs per over. Rashid’s batting and his late-hitting has also helped the Titans in a couple of game -he has made 91 runs at a strike rate of 206.
Kagiso Rabada
In a rather disappointing campaign for Punjab, Kagiso Rabada shone brightly, finishing with 23 wickets – the best among all fast bowlers – at an economy of 8.45.
Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood has continued his superb form from last year with Australia and CSK. The lanky pacer has snapped up 18 wickets in 11 matches, while leaking at an ordinary 8.32 runs per over, and has been an instrumental figure in RCB’s success this season.
