IPL 2020: Best Overseas XI Of The Tournament

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has come to its conclusion with the Mumbai Indians (MI) winning an unprecedented fifth IPL title. They have their international stars like Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and James Pattinson to thank largely for their victorious campaign. So much so, two overseas pacers; Trent Boult and Jofra Archer, who were named as the player of the final and player of the tournament, respectively.

IPL over the years has had some great and successful overseas cricketers to make their presence felt in the richest cricket league of the world. This year too, we saw some brilliant individual performances from the foreign superstars.

Overseas XI of IPL 2020:

Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock was traded from Bangalore to Mumbai and has had two spectacular seasons in 2019 and 2020 – winning both the titles. He scored 529 runs last year, and 503 runs this season. The South-African had given MI blazing starts throughout the tournament and took the extra responsibility when his opening partner, Rohit Sharma, was injured.

The southpaw has been terrific behind the stumps as well as he affected most dismissals for a wicket-keeper. The Protea skipper has grown leaps and bounds since joining the Mumbai franchise two years ago.

David Warner(C)

David Warner has emerged as a goliath in the IPL over the years for SRH. This was his sixth season for Hyderbad, and for the sixth time, he has scored more than 500 runs in the IPL. The left-hander has been at the forefront of SRH’s resurgent this season.

The Australian scored 548 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 134 including 4 half-centuries. Warner is also the captain of the team for his smart tactics and leadership qualities.

AB de Villiers

While AB de Villiers batted at number four for RCB, we are having him at number three- he is versatile enough to bat anywhere. The South African time and again bailed out RCB and saved them from embarrassment.

He anchored the inning and then added the finishing touches to it. AB scored 454 runs at an average of 45, a strike rate of 158, and five half-centuries. Despite not playing international cricket for two years, the 36-year-old is as good as anyone in the world.

Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan had a dazzling season with the bat in the middle-order. While KKR might have had their tactical problems with the continuous chopping and changing of the batting order, but Morgan scored runs freely and played his natural game.

He scored 418 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 138- at times batting even below than Narine and Karthik. He also hit 24 sixes in the season. He has been one of the best number four in the last few years at the international arena.

Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard is a giant in the shortest format- he is behind only Chris Gayle in terms of runs and sixes in the T20 cricket. Pollard had a magnificent season for MI. The numbers tell the story of the kind of an IPL the West Indian had. The 33-year-old scored runs at an average of 53 and a mammoth strike rate of 191 – which is the highest this season.

In 12 innings, he was dismissed only 5 times. Pollard was amongst the best finishers in the tournament and chipped in with one or two overs. The Trinidadian was also an inspiring leader when Rohit Sharma got injured.

Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis is one of the four Delhi players to play all the games this season. The big Australian has been their most consistent performer. He has won matches for Delhi Capitals with his late finishing and has provided vital contributions with the ball as well.

The all-rounder was Man of the Match in Qualifier 2 against SRH for his Hulk-esque performance – 38 runs and three wickets. The right-hander has scored 352 runs at a strike rate of 148 in addition to his 13 wickets.

Sam Curran

In a rather disappointing campaign for CSK, Sam Curran was their biggest positive, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Bowling at different stages of the game, Curran took 13 wickets at an economy of 8.19.

The left-hander was used as an opener, middle-order pinch hitter, and a finisher by Dhoni. He scored 186 runs at a strike rate of 136. The 22-year-old has shown great temperament by playing different kinds of roles according to the situation.

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan’s economy of 5.37 was the best in the tournament amongst bowlers of any kind. The leggie took 20 wickets with a best of 3/7. He has always been a major factor in SRH’s success.

The Afghanistan spinner has been a vital cog in the SRH bowling department as he choked the opposition batting in the middle-overs. Irrespective of the result of the match, Rashid hardly disappoints.

Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer was an intimidating bowler for the batters, especially in the powerplay with the new ball. He picked 20 wickets with his menacing pace at an economy of 6.55. The 25-year-old also struck some lusty blows with the bat towards the end of the inning.

The right-hander had a strike rate of 179 and hit 10 towering sixes. Archer won the Player of the Tournament award, despite Rajasthan not making into the playoffs.

Kagiso Rabada

The purple cap holder of the tournament, Kagiso Rabada was indispensable to the Delhi Capitals team. By picking 13 wickets at an economy of 8.34, Rabada was the spearhead of the DC pace bowling department. Rarely wayward, the 25-year-old was accurate with his lines and lengths and was the go-to bowler for Shreyas Iyer at any stage of the innings.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult was a revelation for Mumbai Indians and filled the big shoes left by the absence of Lasith Malinga. The Kiwi pacer was Man of the Match in the IPL final. His two wickets upfront, including that of Marcus Stoinis, put DC on the backfoot.

The 31-year-old picked 25 wickets at an economy of 7.97. The left-arm seamer was phenomenal with the new ball and took plenty of wickets in the first over itself throughout the tournament.

Also Read: Fans Urge AB de Villiers To Switch Team After His Tweet For Mumbai Indians