IPL 2021: Best Playing XI Of The Tournament

The IPL 2021 season concluded on Friday with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking home the prestigious trophy for the fourth time in its history. They defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Dubai to cap off a brilliant season for them. There were two phases in the tournament – one in India and the other in the UAE. It was a season where the Indian players comfortably outshone the foreign cricketers.

There were plenty of stunning individual performances in IPL 2021, ranging from Sanju Samson’s 119 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) to Harshal Patel’s 5/27 in the season opener against Mumbai Indians. While some of them fought a lone battle like KL Rahul for Punjab Kings, others formed a brilliant partnership like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis for CSK.

IPL 2021: Best Playing XI Of The Tournament

1) Ruturaj Gaikwad – 635 runs in 16 matches

The 24-year-old Gaikwad won the orange cap for his tally of 635 runs in 16 matches. In the process, he became the second uncapped player in IPL history to earn the cap. He was extraordinary for CSK, often building the perfect platform for the rest of the batsmen to build on. Gaikwad also scored his maiden century in the IPL against Rajasthan Royals (RR), albeit in a losing cause. The right-hander averaged 45.36 in the tournament and scored 23 sixes, the second-highest after KL Rahul.

2) Faf du Plessis – 633 runs in 16 matches

Veteran South African batsman, Faf du Plessis, won the Man of the Final award for his 59-ball 86 against KKR in the IPL 2021 final. Alongside Gaikwad, du Plessis formed a classy partnership at the top, often putting CSK in winning positions with the bat. He amassed 633 runs at an average of 45.21 and fell just two runs short of Gaikwad’s tally. He holds the joint record with Glenn Maxwell and KL Rahul for most fifties this season.

3) Venkatesh Iyer – 370 runs & 3 wickets in 10 matches

The left-handed Venkatesh Iyer was termed as the find of the IPL 2021 season. Iyer followed Brendon McCullum’s template of aggression to a tee and was instrumental in scripting KKR’s turnaround in the UAE leg of the season. In just 10 matches for the side, he scored 370 runs including four fifties. Iyer was more than handy with the ball as well, often used by skipper Eoin Morgan in the death overs. The tall & lanky batsman could prove to be the quick bowling all-rounder is searching for.

4) Rahul Tripathi – 397 runs in 17 matches

Another KKR batsman who makes it to the list is Rahul Tripathi. The 30-year-old from Ranchi didn’t get many chances in the previous season but showed he’s capable of impacting the innings in the middle overs. Tripathi scored the winning six against Delhi Capitals which helped them reach the final. He had the perfect mixture of caution and aggression in the IPL 2021 season, and along with Iyer, proved to be the difference-maker for KKR with the bat.

5) Glenn Maxwell – 513 runs in 14 matches

Termed as the one-season wonder, Glenn Maxwell had a point to prove when he switched allegiances from Punjab Kings to Royal Challengers Bangalore. The faith shown in him by the RCB management bode well for his form and he repaid in kind. Maxwell stole the limelight from big stars, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, and was their main batsman by the end of the season. He was fifth on the list for the orange cap, scoring 513 runs in 14 matches at an excellent strike rate of 144.10.

6) Rishabh Pant (c & wk)- 419 runs in 16 matches

Leading a side in the tournament for the first time, Rishabh Pant did a fabulous job of owning the role. Although the captaincy might have affected his natural gameplay, Pant still fired with the bat and made regular contributions. Under his captaincy, Delhi finished on top of the points table with ten wins in fourteen matches. Pant’s form bodes well for India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. He scored 419 runs in the IPL 2021 season and averaged a smidgen below 35.

7) Ravindra Jadeja – 227 runs & 13 wickets in 16 matches

The CSK all-rounder played the role of a finisher with the bat for the champions and the middle-overs run-squeezer with the ball. He equaled Chris Gayle’s record of most runs in an over when he scored 37 runs off Harshal Patel back in India. In the field, Jadeja was his brilliant self, taking 13 catches and dropping none. He scored 227 runs at an average of 75.66 at a strike rate of 145.51. With the ball, he was economical as usual, conceding at just 7.06 rpo and claiming 13 wickets, including a best of 3/13.

8) Sunil Narine – 16 wickets 14 in matches

Struggling to find his rhythm after a change in bowling action, Sunil Narine turned it around in the UAE leg of the IPL. He looked his usual self with just a little assistance from the UAE pitches. Narine almost single-handedly won the Eliminator against RCB, taking four wickets while also scoring a crucial cameo. He took 16 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 22.56. More importantly, he had an economy of 6.45, which is the best among the bowlers who bowled at least 50 overs in the tournament.

9) Shardul Thakur – 21 wickets in 16 matches

The fast-improving Shardul Thakur had a magnificent IPL 2021 season with the ball. He claimed 21 wickets in 16 matches, often being the bowler who provided the breakthrough for CSK whenever MS Dhoni needed it. Although he wasn’t able to display his skills with the bat, Thakur more than proved worthy of a spot in the playing XI courtesy of his bowling. He was also added to the Indian 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup after his stellar performances with the ball.

10) Harshal Patel – 32 wickets in 15 matches

The 31-year-old Harshal Patel won the Man of the Tournament award and the Purple Cap for claiming 32 wickets in 15 matches. He was easily the best bowler in the season and spearheaded RCB’s bowling attack in both legs of the tournament. Patel took a liking to the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, claiming a five-wicket haul in the first leg before taking a hattrick in the reverse fixture. Although his economy was on the higher side, his average of 14.34 is quite impressive, a major improvement from the previous seasons.

11) Avesh Khan – 24 wickets in 16 matches

Despite playing alongside Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan managed to steal the spotlight. Having played a solitary game in IPL 2020, Avesh was given a longer rope in IPL 2021, and he made use of it to perfection. Delhi Capitals became dependent on the 24-year-old to provide breakthroughs in the powerplay as well as the death overs. He took 24 wickets in 16 matches at a stunning economy of 7.37 in IPL 2021, including a best of 3/13.

Also Read – IPL 2021: Top 5 Highest Wicket Takers Of The Tournament