IPL 2021: AB de Villiers picks his all-time IPL playing XI

Veteran South African batsman AB de Villiers has picked his all-time playing XI in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The dynamic Proteas player started his IPL career for the Delhi Daredevils, now Delhi Capitals. De Villiers has picked seven Indian cricketers and four overseas players in his elite list.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore star elected former Indian wicket-keeper MS Dhoni as the captain of the side. Although Villiers was a bit uncertain to do this, he eventually named himself as one of the possible options at No.4. The 37-year-old picked Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma as the two-opening batsman of his team.

AB de Villiers selects only one player from Royal Challengers Bangalore

For the middle-order, he went for his RCB captain, Virat Kohli, at the number three spot. Although he has put himself for the fourth position, De Villiers kept Australian batsman Steve Smith and NZ captain Kane Williamson in the fray as well. Talking about the all-rounders, De Villiers went for Ravindra Jadeja and Ben Stokes. Ben Stokes hasn't played a lot of IPL, but AB de Villiers feels that the Englishman's ability to contribute with both the bat and ball makes him a huge asset for any IPL team. David Warner, Chris Gayle, and Suresh Raina were some of the notable absentees from AB de Villiers' ideal team. In fact, Suresh Raina and David Warner are currently the second and third highest run-scorers in IPL history.

For the spin department, Villiers selected Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to come in at No.7, with Rashid Khan taking the second spinner's spot. The pace troika of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, and Jasprit Bumrah has been included in the RCB star's all-time IPL XI. Lasith Malinga's omission in AB de Villiers' all-time IPL XI might raise a few eyebrows. The Sri Lankan pacer was an integral part of MI over the years and is presently the highest wicket-taker in the IPL. The 14th season of the IPL will get started in Chennai in exactly a week’s time on April 9.

AB De Villiers' all time IPL XI

MS Dhoni (C & WK), Rohit Sharma, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith/Kane Williamson/AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes, Rashid Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

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