IPL 2020: Irfan Pathan Picks His Best XI, Omits Virat Kohli, Jofra Archer

Cricketer-turned-commentator, Irfan Pathan has revealed his best team of the IPL 2020. The major omissions in the all-rounder’s team are the likes of Virat Kohli, Rashid Khan, and Jofra Archer.

KL Rahul has been a default choice in everyone’s IPL 2020 team- the Punjab skipper was the orange cap winner. Pathan chose Shikhar Dhawan over David Warner as Rahul’s opening partner solely because of the four overseas rule, since he has four other overseas players in his team.

The Baroda all-rounder selected Suryakuamr Yadav and AB de Villiers to constitute his middle-order. Pathan opined that both these batters dominated in the middle-overs and can up the ante towards the last stage of the innings. Yadav and de Villiers have won matches for their respective teams- that made Pathan give the middle-order batting to these two stalwarts.

Speaking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said, “KL Rahul for sure and along with him Shikhar Dhawan. I cannot include David Warner as we can have only 4 overseas players.” 

“The way Suryakumar Yadav played his knocks, we always say that his average is very good, but the strike rate at which he played was the best part, and he was winning them the matches, so I will definitely go with him. AB de Villiers – his strike rate was very good this year as well. You expect him to score a lot of runs, but this year as well, he won RCB matches,” he added.

Kieron Pollard is the captain of Irfan Pathan’s team

Irfan Pathan made an interesting choice- he made Kieron Pollard the captain of his team. The left-hander reasoned that Pollard is a three-dimensional player; he can, bowl, and field. Pollard had the maximum strike rate in the season and also captained Mumbai Indians in 4 matches, winning 3 of them.

Marcus Stoinis, who was the best all-rounder in the tournament, is at number six in Pathan’s team. The former India all-rounder has selected Rahul Tewatia playing at number seven for his brilliant all-round show as he won matches for Rajasthan from the jaws of defeat.

Irfan Pathan continued, “I will have Kieron Pollard to bat at No.5, and he will also be the captain of my team. I had the option of Hardik, but he is not bowling and Pollard will give me the bowling as well as captaincy. He is an amazing fielder, so I will get a three-dimensional player.

“At No.6, I will have Marcus Stoinis, who will give me the bowling as well. He was in amazing form (during IPL 2020) and played spin also well. I will have Rahul Tewatia at No.7 – he won two matches on his own and bowled brilliantly as well.” 

Since Pathan has Tewatia in his team, who is a leg-spinner, he opted for Yuzvendra Chahal over Rashid Khan, acknowledging that both had an amazing season with the ball.

While the selections of Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah are unquestionable, the 46-year-old added Mohammad Shami to his team overlooking T Natrajan. He believes that Shami has an advantage over Natarajan because the KXIP bowler is adept in bowling with the new ball and in the death better than the SRH pacer.

Irfan Pathan said, “Yuzvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan are amazing bowlers, but Chahal will definitely come in my team in place of Rashid Khan, as I will have Tewatia at No. 7,”

“I was thinking about Natarajan, but I wanted someone who bowls with the new ball as well as with the old ball. So he (Natarajan) was behind Shami on that front. Along with Shami, I will go for Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah.”

Irfan Pathan’s team of IPL 2020: KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, AB de Villiers, Kieron Pollard (c), Marcus Stoinis, Rahul Tewatia, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.

Also Read: India’s Tour of Australia 2020-21: Men In Blue Start Outdoor Training After All Players Test Negative For COVID-19