Former India opener Aakash Chopra has unveiled his pick of the best XI from the recently concluded IPL 2022 tournament. The tournament saw Gujarat Titans triumphing in the final on May 29, against Rajasthan Royals and winning the trophy in their debut appearance.
Chopra assembled a star-studded lineup from the best performers of the IPL 2022 season, but some names like Dinesh Karthik, who made 330 runs at a strike rate of 183.33, and Umran Malik, who terrorized the batters with his 150 kph plus deliveries and picked 22 wickets including a fifer and even champions GT vice-captain Rashid Khan, who picked 19 wickets at an economy of 6.59 was missing from his list.
KL Rahul and Jos Buttler were the two openers he began with as he chose his XI on performances in IPL 2022.
IPL 2022: COC presents the best uncapped XI of IPL 15
"Along with him, I have kept KL Rahul. I thought about Quinton de Kock and Shubman Gill but KL Rahul - more than 600 runs, two centuries. Once again eat, sleep and score 600 runs in the IPL. Form is temporary, KL Rahul is permanent,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
He then picked Rahul Tripathi at no.3 over Deepak Hooda and Hardik Pandya came in at 4 and was also named the captain of this XI.
He said: "I had done a poll for No. 3 - Deepak Hooda or Rahul Tripathi. I have picked Rahul Tripathi, about 80% have also voted for Rahul Tripathi. After that, my Player of the Tournament, his name is Hardik Pandya - he is a captain, bowler, and batter. He is the captain of this team as well."
Liam Livingstone was picked at no.5 and in place of Dinesh Karthik as the finisher, Chopra went for GT’s David Miller.
He said: "At No. 5, I have got Liam Livingstone. He is a six-hitting machine and has done amazingly well this year. At No. 6, some thinking was required on who could be kept - DK (Dinesh Karthik) could have been there but I have actually gone with David Miller because he has had a season that is one to remember."
Andre Russell, who had a terrific season with both the bat and the ball came in at no.7. The four mainstream bowlers that Chopra picked were, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
IPL 2022: “Purely based on performances this season”, Sachin Tendulkar names his IPL 15 XI
This meant that popular choices like Umran Malik, Rashid Khan, and Mohsin Khan were ignored by the cricket expert.
"In my four bowlers, there is one spinner, his name is Yuzi Chahal. He is the Purple Cap holder. Rashid Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga could have also been there here but my four overseas slots are over. Avesh Khan is in my side. I was thinking about Mohsin Khan, Umran Malik, and Prasidh Krishna but I am still going with Avesh Khan - fewer bad days. After that, I have gone with Mohammad Shami, he was unbelievable. Last but not the least, at No. 11 is Arshdeep Singh. In my opinion, he has been the standout bowler once again,” Chopra signed off.
Aakash Chopra's IPL 2022 XI:
Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (C), Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Andre Russell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
