Mandeep Singh picks all-time IPL XI, no place for 3-time Orange Cap winner and leading wicket-taker [Exclusive]

Mandeep Singh has been a prolific scorer in domestic cricket and played 14 seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His last appearance in the cash-rich league was in IPL 2023. Under his leadership, Punjab won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2023, ending the state's 30-year title drought.

Last season, he joined Tripura and led them across formats. While the right-handed batter fared well with the bat, Tripura failed to progress beyond the group stage in any format. Mandeep has played three T20Is and 111 IPL games so far in his career.

The 33-year-old recently picked his all-time IPL XI during an exclusive interview with CricTracker. He named the legendary MS Dhoni to captain the side.

Former India captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the openers he picked in the XI. Suresh Raina, who was fondly called Mr IPL for his consistent performances in the tournament, was given the important No. 3 spot. AB de Villiers, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dhoni formed a strong middle order, while Hardik Pandya was named as the lone seam-bowling all-rounder.

Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah, who had been a lethal bowling partnership for several years at the Mumbai Indians, were picked as the specialist speedsters in the side. Meanwhile, stalwarts Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine were chosen as the two talismanic tweakers. As the Impact Player, Mandeep named 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle, who has the most sixes (357) and the highest individual score (175*) in the tournament's history.

While Mandeep's side looks well-balanced, it was interesting to see him not pick Yuzvendra Chahal and David Warner. The leg-spinner is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament's history with 221 scalps. Meanwhile, Warner is the only player to have won the Orange Cap thrice. He also has the second-highest number of half-centuries.

Mandeep Singh's all-time IPL XI: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C & W), Hardik Pandya, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine.

Impact Player: Chris Gayle.