Best XI of the league stages of IPL 2017

Suresh Raina

Gujarat Lions struggled to get going this year but that did not deter Suresh Raina to produce some jaw-dropping performances. He finished fourth in the list of highest run-getters at the end of the league stages with 442 runs at 40.18 in 14 innings. Raina’s strike rate of 144 was equally impressive.

Good showings got him close to a possible recall in the national side but the selectors chose to only name him in the list of standbys for the tournament in England. He hit three half-centuries and continued his dominance in the IPL as this was the eighth time he has achieved more than 400 runs in the tournament’s 10-year history.

Manish Pandey

Pandey has been the mainstay for KKR’s middle-order in the last few seasons. Though he has scored just two half-centuries this year; he averages 49.50 in 13 innings. He accounted for 396 runs in the league phases at an acceptable strike rate of 128.57. The 27-year-old has been responsible for finishing off the innings and so far Pandey has been equal to the task.

His fine showings earned him a ticket to England for the Champions Trophy. The right hander’s best innings so far has been his 69* against Daredevils when Pandey closed the tight chase on his own at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Ben Stokes

The English all-rounder came into the tournament with the heavy weight of expectations as he was acquired by RPS for a huge sum. His bowling was brilliant throughout the tournament as he gave four valuable overs in almost every game in skipper Steve Smith’s cause. His slog overs bowling stood out for he was always very immaculate with the yorkers.

Stokes was under pressure to produce similar performances with the bat which he later did. His breakthrough innings was a brilliant unbeaten 103, which clinched a tight chase in RPS’ favour against Gujarat Lions. Stokes will be very proud of his achievements in his debut IPL season. He will no longer be available for the playoffs as he flew back home on national duty.