IPL 2018: Aakash Chopra picks his 'Dream Team' of the season

The recently concluded eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was absolutely a terrific and phenomenal spectacle. Finally, after almost two-months of thrilling encounters, the returning Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were crowned the champions of the tournament for the third time. The MS Dhoni-led side defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final by a hefty margin of 8 wickets to lift the coveted trophy. After all the dramas and anticipations, it is that time when the fans and the experts start on with their analysis work for the season.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra dons the role of cricket expert and analyst post after his retirement and was also a part of the star-studded commentary panel of IPL 2018 for Star Sports. At the end of the tournament, Aakash recently released a video on Twitter, stating his dream playing XI from the recent edition. He also followed the same set of rules in choosing his team which are taken care officially as he named four overseas players and seven Indians part of his side.

Aakash Chopra’s Dream Playing XI of IPL 2018

Aakash included Kings XI Punjab opener KL Rahul and the Knight Riders all-rounder Sunil Narine as his two openers in the team that would provide an explosive start. Rahul was in a sublime form this season as he amassed 659 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of more than 150, while his partner Narine who was promoted up the order as a pinch-hitter has racked up some sensational numbers with the bat, scoring 257 runs at a strike rate of 189.89. Considering his top form scoring 602 runs this year, the former Indian cricketer felt difficult to rule out Ambati Rayudu from his dream side and therefore, slotted him for the third position.

The SRH skipper Kane Williamson had a terrific run this edition both as a captain and a batsman and finished as the highest run scorer of the tournament and thus deserved a spot in every side. Chopra picked up the Delhi Daredevils big-hitter Rishabh Pant for the fifth batsmen’s spot in the team, as the 20-year old has had a breakthrough season compiling 684 runs in 14 games.

To lead the dream team, the analyst chose out none other than the CSK skipper MS Dhoni to captain his side. He faced a tough time to pick out one between KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik who has scored 498 runs and has batted well for his team in every situation, however, he went ahead and picked the winning skipper of IPL 2018, who has also had an outstanding season with the bat.

In the bowling department, Chopra decided to include the Royals off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham who picked up 11 wickets and also tonked some big strikes in the finish. The SRH leggie Rashid Khan who had a stupendous year with his IPL franchise picking up 21 wickets, also found himself in Aakash’s dream team. The former cricketer next slotted the Purple Cap holder Andrew Tye who finished the season with 24 wickets to his name from 14 matches. The two Indian fast bowlers in the dream playing XI, are RCB fast bowler Umesh Yadav who scalped 20 wickets and his compatriot will be from the Sunrisers camp, Siddarth Kaul, who capped off the season with 21 wickets to his name.

Here is Aakash Chopra’ s Dream Team of IPL 2018

1. Sunil Narine

2. KL Rahul

3. Ambati Rayudu

4. Kane Williamson

5. Rishabh Pant

6. MS Dhoni (Captain)

7. Krishnappa Gowtham

8. Rashid Khan

9. Andrew Tye

10. Umesh Yadav

11. Siddarth Kaul

It's that time already. Time to pick your #IPL2018 teams. Well, here's my #AakashVani #IPL2018 Playing XI. Who makes it to your IPL 2018 'Dream Team'? pic.twitter.com/9t3fUb4a90

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 29, 2018

Stay updated on ‘today’s cricket news‘ with CricTracker.com.