Former Indian fast bowler-turned commentator Ashish Nehra picked his best XI from the recently concluded season of Indian Premier League. Several players from the title winners Mumbai Indians were picked in Nehra’s best XI of IPL 2020.
Starting with the openers, the 41-year old went with Orange Cap winner KL Rahul and SRH skipper David Warner. Surprisingly, he left out the second-highest run-scorer of the season, Shikhar Dhawan from Delhi Capitals.
He went with Suryakumar Yadav (MI) ahead of RCB skipper Virat Kohli at number three. Nehra picked T20 legend AB de Villiers from Royal Challengers Bangalore at two down.
“If you go just by the tournament performance, then my openers will be KL Rahul and David Warner,” Nehra said on Star Sports. “At No.3, I am not choosing Virat Kohli. It’s not that he has not scored runs but the impact runs were scored by Suryakumar Yadav, so I will keep him at No.3. There is no T20 team completed without AB de Villiers. So, he will be No.4.”
Ashish Nehra picked MI duo Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya at number 5 and 6 to complete the middle order. Jofra Archer (RR) and Rashid Khan (SRH) also made their way in Nehra’s best XI of IPL 2020.
“At No.5, I would say Ishan Kishan. I will also keep him as my wicket-keeper although AB de Villiers will also be an option. At No.6, Hardik Pandya. After that Jofra Archer and Rashid Khan, both can bat as well,” Nehra added.
No place for Purple Cap winner Kagiso Rabada
Nehra chose Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB) and Jasprit Bumrah (MI) as the two Indian bowlers for his side. He went for Ravichandran Ashwin (DC) or Mohammed Shami (KXIP) according to the playing conditions to complete his XI.
“And then Chahal and Jasprit Bumrah. My final pick will be one of Ravichandran Ashwin or Shami. If three fast bowlers are required, I will go with Archer, Bumrah and Shami. If only two are required, I will go with Bumrah and Archer and will play Ravichandran Ashwin instead of Shami,” Nehra said.
The former Indian cricketer also admitted that it was hard missing out Kagiso Rabada, Kane Williamson and MS Dhoni from the side.
“We also have Kagiso Rabada and Kane Williamson. And my thinking is that I will never make a team without MS Dhoni, but his tournament was not good. So, if you go by the tournament performances, this will be my XI,” Nehra said.
Ashish Nehra’s best IPL 2020 XI: KL Rahul, David Warner, Suryakumar Yadav, AB de Villiers, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin/Mohammed Shami
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