New Delhi: It is not without reason that the Indian Premier League is hailed as the ‘Mahakumbh’ (Grand Festival) of cricket. The primary reason is the sheer eagerness displayed by players—both domestic and international—to participate in this league. Great players from across the globe have graced the IPL with their presence, thereby elevating the league’s prestige.
If someone were to ask you to select an all-time playing XI for the IPL, it would appear to be a daunting task. In fact, it is arguably quite impossible. This is because the list of legendary players is extensive, making the process of narrowing it down to just 11 players an exercise fraught with confusion.
In a post-match broadcast, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen unveiled his selection for the IPL’s all-time playing XI. Notably, he did not include India’s explosive batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, in his lineup.
Rohit and Hardik Left Out
Kevin Pietersen delivered a major surprise by excluding Rohit Sharma—who has led the Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles—and all-rounder Hardik Pandya from his all-time IPL playing XI. Rohit Sharma has proven his mettle exceptionally well in the IPL, both as a captain and as a player. On the other hand, in the current landscape of T20 cricket, there is arguably no all-rounder better than Hardik Pandya.
Dhoni and Kohli Secure Spots
Former England legend Kevin Pietersen has included Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in his all-time IPL playing XI. Pietersen has slotted Virat Kohli into the team as an opener, while designating MS Dhoni as the captain.
In addition to these players, he has included five overseas players, despite the league’s regulation limiting teams to fielding only four foreign players. Kevin Pietersen chose not to adhere to this rule, and his list of five overseas players comprises Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Lasith Malinga. Kevin Pietersen’s All-Time Playing XI
Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (Captain and Wicketkeeper), Andre Russell, Ravindra Jadeja, Sunil Narine, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lasith Malinga, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Kevin Pietersen’s IPL Career
Former explosive England batsman Kevin Pietersen left his mark not only on the global stage but also during his brief career in the IPL. He played in the IPL from 2009 to 2016. Across 36 matches, he scored 1,001 runs while batting at a strike rate of 134.7. During his IPL career, his bat yielded one century and four half-centuries.