Chris Gayle picks his all-time IPL XI, Rohit Sharma OUT

Legendary West Indies batter Chris Gayle has picked an all-time IPL playing XI that includes some of the biggest superstars of the sport in a recent interaction. Gayle didn't include six-time IPL trophy winner Rohit Sharma, and there was no place for Mumbai Indians (MI) players Hardik Pandya and Lasith Malinga.

Chris Gayle played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) during his career. He scored 4,965 runs in 142 matches at an average of 39.72 and a strike rate of 148.97, including six centuries and 31 half-centuries. He also won the Orange Cap twice with RCB.

Chris Gayle Picks All-Time IPL XI, Leaves Rohit Sharma Out

Chris Gayle, known for his exploits in the IPL, has revealed his all-time IPL XI. He included seven Indian players and four overseas stars, but Rohit Sharma was not included.

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Gayle picked himself and his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate Virat Kohli as the opening pair. Kohli is one of the highest run-scorers in IPL history, while Gayle remains one of the most destructive openers the league has seen.

Notably, Rohit Sharma has scored over 6,500 runs in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Deccan Chargers (DC). Rohit won six titles, including five as MI captain. His omission raised eyebrows in the cricketing community.

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Chris Gayle Picks AB de Villiers and CSK Trio in All-Time IPL XI

Gayle placed Suresh Raina at No. 3 and AB de Villiers at No. 4. KL Rahul has been included as an extra batsman. Gayle also backed three Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwarts, including Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, and Dwayne Bravo, in the playing XI.

Jadeja’s inclusion raised some eyebrows, as he may not be regarded among the very best IPL players. Nonetheless, his all-around abilities earned him a spot in the lineup.

Gayle snubbed Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder in the XI. Hardik has won five IPL titles since his debut and also led the Gujarat Titans (GT) to the title in 2022 as captain.

Chris Gayle Names Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah in All-Time IPL XI

Gayle picked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer Sunil Narine as the specialist spinner in his all-time IPL XI. The pace attack is spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar as his bowling partner. Notably, Gayle chose not to include Lasith Malinga in his XI.

Chris Gayle’s all-time IPL XI: Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ab de Villiers, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, DJ Bravo, Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in the IPL. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he scored an unbeaten 175 off just 66 balls against Pune Warriors, including 13 fours and 17 sixes at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2013.

Gayle played 85 matches for RCB, amassing 3,163 runs at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 152.73, including five centuries and 19 fifties.

After joining the Punjab Kings in 2018, he played 41 matches across four seasons. The left-handed batter scored 1,339 runs at an average of 36.19 and a strike rate of 143.21, with one century and 10 fifties.

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