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In anticipation of the IPL 2024, cricket enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling revelation as Star Sports unveiled the “Incredible 16 of the IPL.”
This selection process aimed to assemble the greatest IPL team of all time, featuring 11 players, four impact substitutes, and a coach. The panel of experts, comprising cricketing legends Mathew Hayden, Dale Steyn, Wasim Akram, and Tom Moody, engaged in riveting discussions to finalize the squad.
One of the most notable debates revolved around the inclusion of Rohit Sharma, fondly known as “The Hitman.” While the Experts XI, Fans XI, and Media XI excluded Sharma from the playing XI, the Star Sports Jury recognized his contributions both as a batsman and leader of the Mumbai Indians. Sharma’s versatility and leadership qualities earned him a spot in the “Incredible 16,” showcasing the diverse range of opinions within the cricketing world.
Former Australian cricket player Matthew Hayden emphasized the importance of Chris Gayle and David Warner to contemporary T20 cricket and supported them as his top choices for the opening duo. But former SRH coach Tom Moody leaned toward Virat Kohli with Gayle, emphasizing how difficult it is to keep the team’s overseas balance.
Dale Steyn, meanwhile, gave priority to local players, starting Warner and Sharma because of their IPL winning records. Wasim Akram was a big fan of leadership and fielding ability, therefore he favored openers Warner and Sharma.
Ultimately, the final squad for the “Incredible 16,” as voted by the Star Jury, featured a formidable lineup. Icons such as Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah received unanimous recognition for their contributions to the IPL. Stephen Flemming was crowned as the All-Star Coach, while MS Dhoni was hailed as the All-Star Captain, underscoring their esteemed status in the IPL fraternity.
Playing XI: David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (C), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga
Impact Players: Andre Russell, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Chris Gayle, Yuzvendra Chahal
Coach: Stephen Flemming
Source:IANS
