The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) came to an end on Sunday (May 29), with Gujarat Titans (GT) defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by seven wickets in the final to clinch the title in their maiden season.
The tournament saw 70 league matches being played among 10 franchises before the four playoff fixtures. As a result, fans and cricket pundits witnessed a number of brilliant performers throughout the campaign in different departments of the game.
On the basis of the players' performances, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Monday (May 30) picked his best XI from the IPL 2022.
“It's got nothing to do with players' reputation or their past performances. It is purely based on their performances this season and what they have been able to achieve this season,” he said in a video on his Youtube channel.
Tendulkar named title-winning captain Hardik Pandya as the leader of his team.
“Hardik was the standout captain this season. He was clear in his mind, proactive. I always say that don't regret, celebrate. If you are able to celebrate, it means the captain is outsmarting the opposition and that is what Hardik did,” he opined.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time, Tendulkar chose Jos Buttler and Shikhar Dhawan as his openers as he wanted a left-right combination at the top. While Buttler was the top run-getter of this year’s IPL with 863 runs, including four centuries, Dhawan amassed 460 runs in 14 matches.
“He accelarates beautifully and keeps rotating the strike. A left hander is always handy and Shikhar's experience will also come useful,” said Tendulkar on Dhawan.
For Buttler, he stated: “What a season he has had. Fabulous. I can't see any player more dangerous than him in this IPL. There are a couple but when Buttler gets going, not many can catch up.”
Sachin Tendulkar picked Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul to bat at No. 3, followed by Pandya and David Miller.
“I really like his stability and consistency. He is a player who can pick singles and when he wants to hit sixes he has the ability to do that as well,” he said on Rahul.
“He played some crucial knocks. Just like KL Rahul, he can hit sixes at will. He has got brute power, his bat swing is beautiful and the stability when he wants to hit the ball is really nice,” said Tendulkar on Hardik Pandya.
“Bringing another left hander here because the left-right combination is important. There are a number of names who were there but I am going to play David Miller. He showed tremendous form, very good consistency and played some crucial knocks. What I observed this season was that he was able to hit towards all sides of the ground. It was proper cricketing shots and it was a treat to watch,” he commented on Miller.
The swashbuckling duo of Liam Livingstone and Dinesh Karthik also featured in Sachin Tendulkar’s line-up.
“(Livingston) has the ability to hit sixes, dangerous player. He is very clear in his mind and backs himself. At number 6 that is a good position. His bowling will also come handy, I would ask him to bowl off spin more often,” said Tendulkar.
About Karthik, he said: “He showed extraordinary consistency this season. I felt he looked calm and composed. He looked in control. When a batter is calm and has the ability to play 360, he is dangerous and that is exactly what Dinesh Karthik did this season. He is an obvious choice for me.”
Tendulkar’s bowling attack has two specialist spinners in Rashid Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal and two premier pacers in Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
“He is dangerous as a batter, one has to remember. He gets breakthroughs in the middle overs and his success rate is very high. I have no iota of doubt about him at 8,” said Tendulkar on Rashid.
Shami's ability to get wickets upfront helps him get into the team while Sachin deemed Bumrah as the death bowler in the world.
“The best death over bowler in the world. There are so many new names coming up in Indian cricket and they have shown amazing promise. I would say at this moment, Bumrah is my first choice. He is dangerous at the start and in the death overs. Others will have to push a little more to replace Bumrah.”
Commenting on Chahal, he said: “He is the highest wicket taker. He always outsmarts the batter. Rashid will come in to bowl with him. If a left-hander is there in the middle overs I have the option of bringing in Livingstone and the third seamer in Pandya.”
Sachin Tendulkar's IPL 2022 XI:
Jos Buttler, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (captain), David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.
(With HT inputs)
