IPL 2016 Dream Team

Published 05/27/2016, 9:38 AM EDT

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The 9th edition of the Indian Premier League was as exciting as the previous ones as many records were broken, many new faces came onto the cricketing scene and then last but not the least, there was Virat Kohli. We at Essentially Sports bring to you the Dream Team of Vivo IPL 2016.

1. Gautam Gambhir  (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir had a great season barring the fact that his team couldn’t make it past the play offs. He scored 501 runs from the 15 matches he featured in. His top score of 90 against SRH was his best innings in this season of the IPL in which he remained unbeaten. He had five 50 plus scores in this tournament and proved to be the mainstay of the KKR batting line up.

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With this IPL performance, he has made it difficult for the national selectors to ignore him during the selection of the national side for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

2. David Warner  (Sunrisers Hyderabad )

The captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad ended as the 2nd highest run getter in IPL 2016. He scored an astounding 686 runs at an average of 52 in 15 matches with 92 being his top score. He scored those runs at a strike rate of 147 with 7 fifties to his name. The left hander was the sole reason behind SRH topping the points table table.

3. Virat Kohli (c)   (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The jewel in the crown of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli is a quintessential new-age cricketer who plays his game aggressively and is unafraid to express his emotions on the field. The flamboyant cricketer scored 4 centuries in this edition, including a century in a 15 over game against the Kings XI Punjab .

He currently holds the orange cap with 919 runs in 15 matches which include 6 half centuries and 4 centuries. A consistent performer for his side, he scored those runs at an average of 83 and a strike rate of over 150. He performs calmly and consistently under pressure, and has delivered many match-winning performances for the RCB.

4. AB De Villiers (WK) (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Part of the deadly duo for the RCB, De Villiers is the reason why RCB find themselves in the final of 1PL 2016. A delightfully brutal batsman and an agile fielder that can put an acrobat to shame – there are only a few things that Abraham Benjamin de Villiers cannot do on a cricket field. The South African has scored 682 runs in 15 matches with a top score of 129 at an average of 56. He has scored six 50s in this tournament and has scored his runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 170.

5. Suresh Raina (Gujarat Lions)

Suresh Raina, part of India’s new age firebrand cricketers, led the Gujarat Lions into the play offs in their debut season. Confident, fearless and oozing with talent, Raina who has successfully carved out a niche for himself scored 398 runs in this season with a top score of 75 with three 50s to his name. Batting in the middle order, Raina has mastered the art of finishing games and helped GL finish in the top 4. The left-handed batsman is also a part-time off break bowler who often provides that crucial breakthrough at the right time. In Raina, the Gujarat Lions have a real match-winner in their ranks as their captain.

6. Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The most exciting talent to emerge from the Caribbean in recent times, Andre Russell, retained by KKR took 15 wickets in 12 matches at crucial moments to hand KKR the edge. He has established a reputation of being one of the fiercest hitters of a cricket ball and scored 188 runs at a strike rate of 164. With his all-round capabilities and experience of playing across the globe, KKR have surelyfound a utility player in Russell.

7. Krunal Pandya   (Mumbai Indians)

The elder Pandya stole the limelight as his younger brother, Hardik, failed in this edition of the IPL. The true find of this IPL, he picked up 6 wickets with his off spinners but more importantly scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 191 including his whirlwind innings of 86 of 37 balls through which he announced his entry onto the cricketing scene. It will be interesting to see if Krunal replaces Hardik for the upcoming series.

8. Amit Mishra  (Delhi Daredevils)

The orthodox leg-spinner had a great season as he picked up 13 wickets in 14 matches at an average of just over 26, which included a 4 wicket haul. Mishra, who flights the ball and makes it turn consistently proved to be the go to bowler for the DD this season.

9.  Bhubaneswar Kumar   (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

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He has been the go-to man for Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling at the start of the innings and has been mighty impressive at the death as well. He forms the crux of the Sunrisers pace attack. The purple cap holder has picked up 21 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 21 with a best of 4/29. He, along with Mustafizur Rahman has made a formidable opening bowling pair and the duo have made SH a balanced side

10. Jaspreet Bumarah   (Mumbai Indians)

If the IPL is about finding Indian talent and giving them a platform, the credit for Bumrah’s rapid rise must go to Mumbai Indians. Bumrah has shown improvement in every edition and the presence of Lasith Malinga has been an added advantage. The man with an unusual bowling action has picked up 15 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 27.

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11. Mustafizur Rahman   (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The import from Bangladesh formed a great team with Bhubaneswar Kumar and made life miserable for the opposing batsman. He had a great debut season picking up 16 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 6.7 and at an average of 24. The youngster has certainly proved his worth and is an exciting prospect for pace bowling.

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Written by:

Raghav Thapar

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A judgemental opinionated person with prejudice towards everything. Sachin fan, Cricket enthusiast, Engineer, Thaparian, Johnian, Achha Insan
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