IPL 2022: Sachin Tendulkar picks best XI of the tournament, includes Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah

India’s former batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has picked his best XI of Tata IPL 2022. The Master Blaster selected Shikhar Dhawan and Jos Buttler as the two openers of his team. Buttler ended the season as the MVP after scoring 863 runs in 17 matches for runners-up Rajasthan Royals.

Shikhar Dhawan scored 460 runs in 14 matches for Punjab Kings at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 122.66. Tendulkar backed Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul to bat at number three. Rahul had another impressive season of the IPL as he scored 616 runs in 15 matches.

Tendulkar said on his YouTube channel: “I would want a left-hand, right-hand combination and hence I am going to play Shikhar Dhawan. He accelerates beautifully and keeps rotating the strike.”

Praising Buttler, he added: “One need not discuss who Dhawan’s opening partner would be. Jos Buttler – what a season he has had, just fabulous. When Buttler gets going, no one can match him.”

Former Indian opener picked Hardik Pandya as the leader of his team as the all-rounder had an amazing season for Gujarat Titans. Pandya scored 487 runs in 15 matches at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.26.

“Hardik Pandya at No. 4 has shown tremendous form this season and has played some crucial knocks. He has brute power, his bat swing is beautiful. The stability when he wants to hit the ball is really nice.”

“Hardik was the standout captain this season. He was clear in his mind and proactive.”

Former talisman batter picked David Miller, who scored 481 runs in the season, to bat at number five. Tendulkar selected Liam Livingstone to bat at number six. Livingstone scored 437 runs for PBKS at a blistering strike rate of 182.08. Dinesh Karthik has been picked as the wicket-keeper of the team as he scored 330 runs in 16 matches at a blistering strike rate of 183.33.

“At No. 5, I would like to bring in another left-hander. It’s very important to have a left-right combination. There were a lot of contenders but I am going to play David Miller. He has shown very good form, and tremendous consistency, and played some crucial knocks.

Tendulkar picked Yuzvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan as the two spinners in his team. Chahal bagged the Purple Cap as he scalped a total of 27 wickets. Khan, on the other hand, took 19 wickets in 16 matches for Gujarat Titans.

“I would have Rashid as he is a dangerous batter and, with the ball, he gets the breakthroughs in the middle overs. His success rate is very high. Chahal was the highest wicket-taker. He always thinks about outsmarting batters.

Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are Tendulkar’s two fast bowlers. Bumrah took 15 wickets in 14 matches whereas Shami scalped 20 wickets in 16 games for GT.

Sachin Tendulkar’s IPL 2022 best XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (captain), David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.