Ravichandran Ashwin picks his all-time IPL XI, omits two RCB greats

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has picked up his all-time best Indian Premier League (IPL) XI. While he included some of the legends of the league, some notable omissions raised the eyebrows of cricket fans. 

Ashwin chose former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni as the captain of his team. The 43-year-old, who stepped down as captain last season, led the Chennai-based franchise to five IPL titles. Rohit Sharma, who also won a record five IPL titles with Mumbai Indians (MI), will remain in the team as a pure batter.

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The 37-year-old picked former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli as Rohit’s opening partner. This means, Ashwin has left out former RCB opener and one of the legends of the league, Chris Gayle. Considering the impact the Caribbean player has had on the league, it is unfortunate that he is left off the list.

Ashwin snubs his RR teammate Yuzvendra Chahal 

Apart from Gayle, former RCB spinner and Ashwin's current Rajasthan Royals (RR) teammate Yuzvendra Chahal also failed to find a place as well. Chahal is the all-time highest wicket-taker in IPL with 205 scalps. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Sunil Narine and Gujarat Titans (GT) spin wizard Rashid Khan are the two specialist spinners in Ashwin's squad.

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Another notable omission are Windies all-rounders Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard. All three of them have been instrumental in the success of their respective franchises - KKR, CSK and MI.

Mr IPL Suresh Raina will come in at one down, while Suryakumar Yadav and AB de Villiers will look after the middle order. Buvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga are the three fast bowlers in the team.   

Ashwin’s all-time IPL XI list includes- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Suryakumar Yadav, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.