Mohammad Kaif picks his all-time IPL XI, MS Dhoni named captain

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has named his all-time Indian Premier League (IPL) XI and the line-up is all about prominent players. Interestingly, he went with as many as six foreign players in the team while former Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni was unsurprisingly named the captain. Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma occupy the opening slot while Virat Kohli has been placed at number three.

Explaining his XI, Kaif asserted Gayle is a game-changer and his IPL record is nothing but phenomenal. While he hailed Rohit for taking Mumbai Indians to five IPL title triumphs, the veteran called Kohli a run-machine and an inspiration to many. Coming to the middle-order, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, and MS Dhoni have been picked and the trio have played numerous destructive knocks in the gala competition.

MS Dhoni laid the foundation of T20 cricket in India: Mohammad Kaif

“Gayle is a very dangerous IPL batter. Whenever he has done well, he has been a game-changer and has scored a lot of runs. Rohit Sharma has been playing for many years and has won five trophies as captain. An excellent short-format player. Virat Kohli is King Kohli. Has scored plenty of runs in the IPL,” Kaif said in a video for Sportskeeda.

“He (MS Dhoni) laid the foundation of T20 cricket in India by leading the country to victory in the 2007 World Cup. He has lifted four IPL titles as well. He is a big player in T20 and a mature captain,” he added. As far as the all-rounders are concerned, Kaif went with Andre Russell for his destructive batting and Rashid Khan for his ability to deliver economical spells. Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga join forces in the bowling department and complete the XI.

Mohammad Kaif’s all-time IPL XI: Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga