IPL 2021 XI that can defeat T20 World Cup champions Australia

Australia went on to win their maiden T20 WC title on November 14, 2021.

View : 55.7K

10 Min Read

Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrates after scoring a hundred
info

Ruturaj Gaikwad celebrates after scoring a hundred. (Photo Source: Twitter/Indian Premier League)

Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Australia and New Zealand had an intense battle on November 14 in Dubai International Stadium and Australia emerged victorious for the first time in the history of the T20 World Cups. After losing the last five bilateral series on the trot, Australia instilled a champion mentality into the team and went into the World Cup with utmost belief.

The architects of the final were David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa. Though New Zealand gave a spirited fightback, they stumbled in their bowling and handed Australia a comprehensive victory. Warner’s half-century and Marsh’s counterattacking 77* along with a quick 28* from Maxwell set up the victory for Australia. On the bowling front, Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-16-3. Adam Zampa supported him well with figures of 4-0-26-1.

Now, we look upon an IPL 2021 playing XI based on recent performances and abilities which can take down against the champion Australian side and can possibly defeat them.

IPL 2021 XI which can dominate T20 WC winner Australia

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Ruturaj Gaikwad has matured over the years and possesses all of the characteristics of a legendary player. He has played some extremely difficult innings in the IPL 2021, demonstrating his ability to be a mentally strong player.

His 100 against the Rajasthan Royals, albeit in a loss, was one of the best knocks in the IPL, as was his brilliant 88*(58) against the Mumbai Indians when Chennai Super Kings were reeling at 24-4 with Ambati Rayudu injured. In the death, he dispatched the flawless pace trio of Bumrah, Boult, and Milne. These innings were a true test of his abilities as a batter.

Ruturaj scored 635 runs at a healthy strike rate of 136.26, mainly against spinners in the middle overs. He was excellent against the spinners and rotated the strike really well in the middle overs. He can possibly take down their best bowler Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, the spin duo of Australia and has the ability to hammer any bowler if he plays long innings.

2. Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Venkatesh Iyer, a swashbuckling opener from Madhya Pradesh who also bowls medium pace, was one of the 14th season’s most surprising finds. Venkatesh was an important part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ come back, whether he was opening the innings in style or controlling the run flow in the middle overs.

Venkatesh entered the IPL with a bang, scoring a quickfire 41* against RCB. Then he followed it up with another match-winning innings against the Mumbai Indians, scoring 53 while KKR chased 156 in 15.1 overs. He has some really attractive shots in his book. He is also a handy medium pace bowler.

Venkatesh can seriously challenge Australia’s dominant pace bowling trio of Hazlewood, Cummins, and Starc. He just uses the pace of the ball to play his shots, and if given a chance to play, he can really shine against this Australian team.

3. KL Rahul

KL Rahul
KL Rahul. (Photo Source: Twitter/Indian Premier League)

The Indian opener, KL Rahul, has been one of the most reliable players in recent IPL seasons. KL Rahul, who was purchased by the Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) for a hefty sum of Rs.11 crore, has proven to be a valuable asset for the Punjab franchise, carrying the fragile batting order, wicketkeeping, and captaincy duties all by himself.

In 13 IPL matches this season, he scored 626 runs at a strike rate of 138.80. His 98* against the Chennai Super Kings was a magnificent display of class and power. As evidenced by his statistics, he has a diverse set of shots that he can implement against opponents with a good pace and spin. His flick shots through the square leg and fine leg are an absolute treat to the eyes.

KL is a quality batter who has played a lot of cricket against Australia. He has a Test century in Australia and scored a lot of runs when he last visited the country. He has enough experience to take down any Australian bowler on any given day. His class is unrivaled, as is his hitting range. Furthermore, he has been consistent in the game’s shorter format, making him an automatic pick.

4. Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

CSK’s match-winning all-rounder Moeen Ali was crucial to the team’s success in the 14th season of the league. Moeen Ali, who was purchased for a hefty 7 crore by the Chennai franchise, repaid all faith and investment in him with his performance. In the IPL 2021 season, Moeen scored 357 runs and took 6 wickets.

In the finals, Moeen’s best knock came at the perfect time. He scored 37 off 20 balls to lead CSK to a commanding total of 192 runs, which appeared to be a mountain to climb when KKR came in to bat. His exhilarating knock included two fours and three sixes. This knock completely shifted the match in favor of the current IPL champions.

He is typically used as a floater and spin basher. In the middle overs, he can counter the threat of Zampa and Maxwell. He has a wide variety of shots against spin. He has also played with Hazlewood, and that experience may come in handy if he ever plays a match like this again.

5. Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Shimron Hetmyer had the highest strike-rate of 168.05 among all the batters in this season of the IPL. He batted at 5/6 for the Delhi Capitals and played the position of finisher, which was not his natural game, and he did an excellent job.

He also helped the squad avoid batting collapses against the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians during this leg. Despite losing by one run, his valiant effort of 53 against RCB speaks volumes about his skill and game. Furthermore, he can hit the ball hard against high pace and has shots all over the field. He is very strong through the mid-wicket and the long-on region, where he can hit humongous sixes.

His finishing abilities have considerably enhanced. He has the ability to target the weakest link in Australia’s bowling attack, the death. With Hazlewood and Cummins not being designated death bowlers and Starc having a difficult time with the ball, he has the ability to score runs quickly and can provide the necessary impetus to the batting innings.

6. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter/IPL)

Ravindra Jadeja is a prolific batter, a skilled bowler, and an amazing fielder who embodies all of the traits that make a perfect cricketer. In recent years, his batting has been top-notch in all formats of the game, and his bowling versatility has made him the number one all-rounder. He has been a vital part of the Chennai Super Kings setup scoring a huge amount of runs in the death and controlling the run-flow in the middle overs.

It goes without saying that he’s a natural finisher. His 37 in an over against Harshal Patel, the tournament’s purple cap holder, and his emphatic finishes against KKR and RR speak for themselves. He is extremely economical with the ball and becomes double the bowler when there is some grip or turn on offer. He is a valuable asset to have, and a true luxury.

He, like Shimron Hetmyer, is responsible for bringing down Australia’s death bowling. He has the experience of playing alongside Hazlewood in the IPL, so he must have some good ideas about all his variations and tricks. He has extensive international experience, making him a highly valuable player.

7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C & wk)

MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni. (photo source: IPL/BCCI)

MS Dhoni, on his current form, makes the XI due to his captaincy and wicketkeeping abilities. MS Dhoni is the best tactical captain in the world. He can get the best out of even the sub-par bowlers, as he demonstrated in the IPL 2021.

Even after retiring from the international arena, he has proven to be an excellent captain. Despite not having a strong team on paper, his field positioning, bowling changes, and tactical batting order moves catapulted CSK to victory. He brings out the best in young people, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad. Spinners relish bowling under him. Even though his batting skills have deteriorated, he can still decimate any opponent on his day.

He is a valuable asset to have as a captain. His sharp wicketkeeping skills, as well as his observations about the game, make him one of the game’s sharpest minds. Because of his experience, he has a thorough understanding of the opponent’s game-plan. He, therefore, is a must have player to beat the World Champions Australia, because of his sheer tactical brilliance.

8. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s premier leg spinner, walks into any T20 side in the world. Since his debut, he has been consistent, and no one has been able to crack his variations. He has always excelled for his team and has befuddled opponents with his dextrous tricks.

Rashid Khan is flourishing in the IPL. This season, he took 18 wickets at a 6.69 economy rate. This was not his best IPL season because he has set a very high standard. He has a very impressive googly with a grip similar to leg-spin. He also has a wrong-un up his sleeve. He has up to five grips for a single type of ball. This just demonstrates his quality and explains why he hasn’t been cracked even after playing for so long.

The Australians aren’t known to be great players of spin and when it is a spinner like Rashid Khan, they fail even more. From this current batting lineup, only Warner and Maxwell have the ability to take down Rashid. Finch, Stoinis, Marsh, Wade will always struggle against him because they fail to read it from the hand.

9. Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel. (Photo Source: Twitter/Indian Premier League)

Harshal Patel is the purple cap holder and the most valuable player for RCB in IPL 2021. Harshal Patel did it all and did it well, picking up 32 wickets to equal Dwayne Bravo for the most wickets in a season, grabbing a 5-wicket haul and a hattrick against the mighty Mumbai Indians, and bowling at the death for RCB, which has been a constant concern for the team since its inception.

His pitch-perfect yorkers and deceptive slower ones were the main reasons for RCB’s best economy of 8.61 in the death overs of IPL 2021. He also possesses a wide Yorker and a slower bouncer. If the pitch is dry and slow, his cutters will be extremely difficult to play. He is also a useful lower-order batter who can tonk the ball when needed.

Against Australia, he could be a useful option in the middle overs and at the death. Most players try to attack him, which usually brings out the best in him and results in good cutters and perfect Yorkers. Maxwell, Stoinis, and Wade form an intimidating lower order for Australia. Harshal will be useful against them because they all like pace on the ball, which Harshal doesn’t provide.

10. Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Anrich Nortje was one of the most economical and fastest bowlers in the IPL. After missing the first half of the season due to Covid-19, he returned in the second half with a blistering pace and superb control. In every game, he went beyond 150 km/h and controlled the run rate on the powerplay and in the death.

Because of his scorching Yorkers and rapid bouncers, every batter in front of him struggled to score freely. He also had a good slower one in which his speed dropped to less than 120kmph, which surprised batters. He had an economy rate of 6.16, which allowed the Delhi Capitals to suffocate the opposition and finish first in the table. In eight games, he took 12 wickets.

Because he is an all-phase bowler, Nortje will be very useful against Australia. When the ball is new, he can swing it at 150kmph. By bowling tight lines in the middle overs, he can control the run flow. With his speed and accuracy, he is impeccable at the death. His pace can be used to counter players like Finch, Maxwell, and Smith.

11. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: Twitter/Indian Premier League)

He is the bowler that every batter will be afraid of. Slower ones, yorkers, bouncers, in-swingers, out-swingers, and many more are all in his arsenal. He is another all-phase bowler who can play any role in the team. When a captain wants to break a partnership, he calls on Bumrah, who picks wickets.

Bumrah made a strong comeback in the second half of IPL 2021 after a lackluster first half. He picked up 20 wickets at a strike rate of 15.71. His economy rate of 7.45 was also excellent. He bowled in the powerplay and in the death for MI and he often plays this role with sublime excellence. He can even bowl pinpoint Yorkers with the new ball which makes him more special.

For batters, his slingy action is difficult to interpret. He has the potential to be effective against any Australian batter. He has an excellent in-swinger that he can use against Finch, who has a glaring weakness against in-swingers. Players like Stoinis and Maxwell can be countered with their accuracy at the death. Overall, he is a valuable asset to any captain.

~Written by Satyam 

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:

googletelegraminstagramwhatsappyoutubethreadstwitter

Download Our App

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS and Google Play Store