Shakib Al Hasan picks IPL XI of players he has played with, selects Gautam Gambhir as captain

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has picked an IPL XI comprising players he has played with. Hasan has played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The left-handed all-rounder picked Gautam Gambhir as his captain, who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles.

David Warner and Robin Uthappa are the two openers in Hasan’s side. Warner is the highest run-getter in the IPL as an overseas batsman as he has scored 4706 runs in 126 IPL matches at an impressive average of 43.17 and a blistering strike rate of 142.39.

Uthappa has scored 4411 runs in 177 IPL matches at an average of 28.83. Gautam Gambhir bats at number three in Shakib Al Hasan’s team as the southpaw scored 4218 runs in 154 IPL matches at an average of 31.01.

Manish Pandey, who has played both for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, bats at number four. Pandey has scored 2843 runs in 130 IPL matches at an average of 29.31.

Shakib Al Hasan picks himself to bat at number five. In 63 IPL matches, Shakib has scored 746 runs at an average of 21.31 and a strike-rate of 126.66. The spinner has taken 59 wickets at an economy rate of 7.46 and an average of 28.0.

Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell are the other all-rounders in the team. Pathan has scored 3204 runs in 174 IPL matches whereas he has scalped 42 wickets. Russell, who is one of the best all-rounders in the T20 format has scored 1400 runs in 64 IPL matches and he has bagged 55 wickets.

Sunil Narine also makes the cut into the team. Narine has scalped 122 wickets in 110 matches in the IPL. The southpaw batsman has also opened the innings for KKR and he has scored 771 runs at a blitzkrieg strike rate of 168.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Umesh Yadav constitute the pace battery. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 133 wickets in 117 matches at 23.71. Yadav has claimed 119 wickets in 119 IPL matches. Balaji snared 76 wickets in 73 IPL matches.

Shakib Al Hasan’s IPL XI while talking to Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz: David Warner, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir (C), Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Laxmipathy Balaji, Umesh Yadav