4-0 Sweep as Akram, Moody, Steyn and Hayden pick between Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina for the greatest IPL Team of all time

Former cricketers Wasim Akram, Tom Moody, Dale Steyn, and Matthew Hayden have revealed their choice between Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli for the number three spot in Star Sports’ Greatest IPL Team of All Time.

Raina and Virat Kohli are two of the most decorated batsmen in the history of the competition. While the former India skipper is currently the leading run-scorer in the competition, Raina constantly featured in the top two when he was playing in the league.

Raina played in the IPL from 2008 to 2021 and retired from the league as one of the most successful and decorated batsmen. In 2o5 IPL games, he scored 5528 runs with the help of 1 century and 39 half-centuries. He is the first player to reach 5000 runs in the IPL. He is also the first Indian player to hit 100 sixes in the IPL. His performance at no. 3 is one of the main reasons behind Chennai Super Kings’ domination in the IPL.

Experts pick between Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina:

On the other hand, Virat Kohli has scored 7263 runs in 237 IPL games so far. Apart from being the leading run-scorer in the IPL, he also holds the record for most runs and centuries in a single season of the IPL. In 2016, he had scored a staggering 973 runs with the help of four centuries. Overall, he has hit a record 7 centuries and 50 half-centuries in the tournament.

Unsurprisingly, the experts found it tough to pick one between Raina and Kohli but eventually picked the latter. All four former players went for Kohli for the No. 3 spot in the Greatest IPL Team of All Time.

“Raina is the most successful middle-order batter in IPL history. But if I have to pick a no.3, it’s going to be Virat Kohli. Raina can bat at 4 and 5 because he can end up as a finisher as well,” said Wasim Akram.

“For me, its not no. 3 but he (Raina) is definitely in my top six. Suresh Raina is one of the best players of spin and having that left-hander in your middle-order is absolutely crucial. I have got Kohli at three,” said Moody before Steyn and Hayden picked the right-handed batsman as well.

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The toughest choice for the Star Jury is here – @imVkohli or @ImRaina for #IPLOnStar's #AllTimeIncredibleXI 👀

Today on the 16th anniversary of the first ever #IPLAuction, the Star Jury will reveal their 'IPL Incredible 16' at 7 PM & 10:30 PM on Star Sports Network & 8 PM LIVE… pic.twitter.com/VRa64zr7AH

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 20, 2024