Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2019: Team of the Year. IPL 2019 Combined XI

Drama, tension and unpredictability. With so many last-ball finishes, one of the finest editions of IPL Cricket has come to an end.

The 12th edition of IPL had just about everything. It shows how special a tournament is that even when 60 matches are played, it didn’t always feel it dragged on too much. At least that was the case in my eyes.

Matches ebbed and flowed, and so too did the top four race. However, that Final will never be forgotten, having me so nervous and invested in the action at a ridiculous Sydney hour! In the end, Mumbai Indians reigned supreme, winning a thrilling Final by one run to now sit atop the list of most IPL Titles, overtaking heartbroken finalists Chennai Super Kings.

So, with the IPL now complete (and before we turn our attention completely to the World Cup), it is appropriate to analyse who makes the IPL 2019 Team of the Year. There were a number of outstanding performers, which was something to look forward to ahead of the tournament given the big names on show. To guide the makeup of this team, a couple of conditions apply:

• A maximum of four overseas players are allowed.
• Team needs to have good balance, justifying why this side would win every game they play.
• Players need to play in their preferred positions as much as possible.

So, without further ado, here is my best XI of IPL 2019.

Also read: See how I went with IPL 2019 predictions before the tournament began!

1. David Warner (SRH): 12 matches, 612 runs, average: 69.20, SR 143.86

One of the easier picks in the IPL 2019 combined XI.

It remained to be seen how David Warner would go after no cricket at the highest level in the previous 12 months. But, he passed with flying colours, winning the Orange Cap with ease, scoring 99 runs more than second-placed KL Rahul, with nine fifty plus scores in 12 knocks. He and Jonny Bairstow carried Sunrisers Hyderabad until Manish Pandey came to the party late in the tournament. A brilliant tournament from arguably the best IPL player ever.

2. KL Rahul (KXIP): 14 matches, 593 runs, average: 53.90, SR: 135.38

Speaking of Jonny Bairstow, he is incredibly unlucky to miss out on making this team. Special mentions also to Quinton de Kock and Shikhar Dhawan, who each finished with over 500 runs.

However, with a number of star overseas performers, they miss out just to KL Rahul. Rahul had a slow start to the tournament, but then found his feet. He scored seven fifty-plus scores in 14 innings, and even though he started his innings slowly at times, he still impacted games positively for his team. Two knocks that come to mind are his 71* to lead KXIP home vs SRH, then followed by a magnificent 100* vs MI that was trumped by a gem by Kieron Pollard.

3. Manish Pandey (SRH): 12 matches, 344 runs, average: 43.00, SR: 130.79

David Warner and Jonny Bairstow carried SRH. Then, it was Warner. When Warner departed for Australia, Manish Pandey stood up.

After being shifted to number three in his return game on 23 April vs CSK, Pandey was superb. He scored 290 runs in his last six games, averaging a fine 72.50. No one can forget his special knock against MI, hitting a six off the final ball to take the game into a Super Over. Pandey, finally, showcased the talent he has.

4. Andre Russell (KKR): 14 matches, 510 runs, average: 56.66, SR: 204.81. 11 wickets, average: 24.54, econ: 9.51

With the top three, in particular the openers, able to bat longer periods, some power at number four is crucial to a balanced team. So, who better than Andre Russell; a player who lit up IPL 2019 numerous times, literally carrying KKR. No other player with at least 150 runs scored at a strike rate of 200, and Russell did it with ease. He is a must-have in the team of the tournament.

5. MS Dhoni (CSK): 15 matches, 416 runs, average: 83.20, SR: 134.62 (c & wk)

The man who led CSK to yet another Final. His team came within one run of back-to-back titles, and you have to say Dhoni was a crucial part of their campaign. CSK’s middle order struggled right throughout the tournament, but Dhoni was the man holding strong, playing some incredible knocks such as his innings at the Chinnaswamy that nearly got CSK home. With his magnificent leadership qualities, he captains the side. He also takes the gloves, with his incredible stumpings against DC a highlight of his superb work behind the stumps.

6. Hardik Pandya (MI): 16 matches, 402 runs, average: 44.66, SR: 191.42. 14 wickets, average: 27.85, econ: 9.17

From one helicopter specialist to the next. Hardik Pandya significantly enhanced his reputation as a genuine all-rounder, as well as a significant player in India’s quest for World Cup glory. He was a key factor in MI’s title-winning campaign, rescuing the team on quite a few occasions after middle over struggles. Like Russell, he is a must-have in the side, and provides a capable bowling option despite the high economy rate. Amid many highlights, the best would have to be his 91 off 34 balls that had MI dreaming of a miracle win vs KKR.

7. Shreyas Gopal (RR): 14 matches, 63 runs, average: 15.75, SR: 136.95. 20 wickets, average: 17.35, econ: 7/22

Gopal at seven is perhaps a touch controversial. Indeed, the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant are unlucky to miss out on the number four slot, but that would mean Hardik Pandya or Andre Russell bats too low at seven. Also, Gopal at times proved that he can yield the willow, such as his 13* off 7 balls to get RR home in a tight finish vs MI and 19* off 7 balls to propel his team to 150+ vs CSK.

This is before mentioning his magnificent bowling. His wickets throughout the tournament were those of top order players, including AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. Gopal was great value for his 20 wickets, and he will be a key asset for any team in the seasons ahead.

8. Kagiso Rabada (DC): 12 matches, 25 wickets, average: 14.72, econ: 7.82

The holder of the Purple Cap right up until the Final. The early finish to Kagiso Rabada’s season hurt DC, such was his magnificent impact. He took more than two wickets per game, but more importantly, he was outstanding in the death overs. In total, he bowled 113 dots in the tournament, giving Shreyas Iyer a bowler who went for under eight an over but took wickets. He is a superb bowler who is a key weapon for South Africa in the upcoming World Cup.

9. Deepak Chahar (CSK): 17 matches, 22 wickets, average: 21.90, econ: 7.47

Deepak Chahar was MS Dhoni’s go-to-man in the powerplay. He offered such great results, often picking up wickets to get CSK into the game. Chahar ended up bowling the most dot balls of any bowler in IPL 2019, sending down an incredible 190 balls that weren’t scored off. He doesn’t have the firepower of a Rabada or Bumrah, but he certainly has plenty of heart. Chahar can now relish the fact he is a 20+ wickets bowler.

10. Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 16 matches, 19 wickets, average: 21.52, econ: 6.63

Khaleel Ahmed, who took an 19 wickets in nine games, is mighty unlucky to miss out. However, it cannot be underestimated just how big an impact Jasprit Bumrah made to MI. He carried them time and time again at the death, and such is his quality that anytime he had two overs remaining, you knew MI would sneak right back into the game. It happened in the Final, where he was man of the match. Is Bumrah India’s most important player in the World Cup? He fights with Virat Kohli for that title. Perhaps call it a tie?

11. Imran Tahir (CSK): 17 matches, 26 wickets, average: 16.57, econ: 6.69

And of course, how could you forget this man? Imran Tahir, the Purple Cap winner, had an outstanding tournament. Usain Bolt would have certainly been envious at Tahir’s speed in his celebratory run, and we were all fortunate enough to see it on many occasions. Like Chahar, Tahir was Dhoni’s go-to man, and he often delivered the goods in the crucial middle overs that enabled CSK to gain ascendancy in matches. Can South Africa give this man the send off he deserves?

So, there is my IPL 2019 Team of the Year.

What changes would you make?

Also read: See how I went with IPL 2019 predictions before the tournament began!

Thanks for reading!