Not Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni To Lead AB de Villiers' All-Time IPL XI

AB de Villiers, the former South African swashbuckling batsman, has been a crucial part of the Indian Premier League [IPL] since its inception.

De Villiers played the first three editions of the IPL alongside the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir before Delhi, much to the surprise of many, decided to let go of him ahead of the 2011 auctions.

The former South African captain was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2011 auctions and since then he has been a vital part of their set-up alongside captain Virat Kohli.

AB recently appeared on CricBuzz, wherein a freewheeling conversation with Harsha Bhogle where he went on to pick his all-time IPL XI.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra Picks His All-Time IPL XI

MS Dhoni to lead AB de Villiers’ all-time IPL XI

De Villiers picked his former Delhi teammate Virender Sehwag and the current Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma as the openers of his all-time IPL XI.

“Opening the batting, someone I started with at Delhi — Viru. And then someone who I think has played the best cricket in the world over the last five years – Rohit. Virat is at No. 3. No. 4 either Williamson or Smith or myself,” AB de Villiers told Harsha Bhogle on CricBuzz.

The former South African captain picked Ben Stokes at the No.5 slot while the wicket-keeper and captaincy spot went on CSK’s MS Dhoni. Ravindra Jadeja and Rashid Khan completed the spinners slot while he chose Kagiso Rabada and the Indian duo of Bhuneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

“Ben Stokes at No. 5. MS at No. 6 and captain, him and Virat can sort of make terms as captain. No. 7 at Jaddu. Rashid Khan at 8. Bhuvi at No. 9. Rabada at 10 and Bumrah at 11.”

AB de Villiers’ all-time IPL XI:

Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni [c & wk], Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Picks His All-Time IPL XI