Sandeep Sharma Picks His All-time IPL XI With MS Dhoni As Captain

In a tournament that has redefined the T20 landscape globally, Sandeep Sharma stands tall as one of the unsung heroes of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With 146 wickets in 137 matches over nearly two decades, the right-arm swing bowler has quietly etched his name among the league’s most consistent performers.

Although he never quite cemented a place in the Indian national side, Sandeep has bowled to the legends, dismissed giants, and outsmarted match-winners in high-pressure IPL situations. So, when he revealed his all-time IPL XI in a candid chat with CricTracker, it immediately garnered attention.

And rightly so. Here’s a bowler’s eye view of the most dangerous players in IPL history — a blend of ruthless hitters, unflinching leaders, and crafty game-changers.

The Captain and Keeper: MS Dhoni (C & WK)

“The ultimate leader. When MS Dhoni is on the field, you feel his presence. He reads the game like no one else.”

No surprises here. MS Dhoni has captained Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles, scored 5439 runs, and created a legacy that stretches far beyond the boundaries of the field. His leadership, calmness under pressure, and razor-sharp wicketkeeping make him a default choice in most dream XIs.

Runs: 5439
Average: 39.07
Strike Rate: 137.85
Dismissals as WK: 142 catches, 42 stumpings
Titles: 5 (CSK)

He also remains one of the greatest finishers in the game, with numerous last-over heists to his name. For Sandeep, picking Dhoni was not just about stats — it was about presence, instinct, and impact.

Opening Pair: Chris Gayle & Rohit Sharma

Chris Gayle – The ‘Universe Boss’

Matches: 142
Runs: 4965
Strike Rate: 148.96
Sixes: 357 (Most in IPL history)
100s: 6

There’s perhaps no more destructive T20 opener than Chris Gayle. From his record-breaking 175 off 66 balls* to his unrelenting power-hitting across franchises, Gayle’s legacy is untouchable. His ability to single-handedly change games in six overs makes him an automatic selection.

Rohit Sharma – The Captain Who Delivers

Matches: 257
Runs: 7046 (2nd most in IPL)
Strike Rate: 131.22
Titles: 5 (MI captain)

Rohit Sharma brings both firepower and finesse, making him the perfect foil to Gayle’s brute strength. His experience and tactical acumen—having led Mumbai Indians (MI) to five titles—cement his place in any all-time XI.

Together, Gayle and Rohit form a dream opening duo: left-right, flair and fearlessness, consistency and carnage.

No. 3: Virat Kohli – The Run-Machine

Matches: 237
Runs: 8661 (Most in IPL)
Average: 38.51
Strike Rate: 130.27
100s: 7 (Most in IPL)

Sandeep Sharma has bowled to Virat Kohli countless times — and dismissed him too. But respect runs deep. Kohli’s passion, hunger, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence define him. With over 8600 IPL runs, he’s not just a run-getter; he’s a cultural force within the tournament.

Kohli’s 2016 season alone — 973 runs, 4 centuries — remains an unmatched batting masterclass. His ability to accelerate while anchoring makes him an indispensable No. 3.

No. 4: Suresh Raina – The Soul of CSK

Matches: 205
Runs: 5528
Average: 32.52
Strike Rate: 136.73
Catches: 109 (most by a non-wicketkeeper)

Often called “Mr. IPL,” Suresh Raina was CSK’s engine room for over a decade. His left-handed swagger, clean hitting, and brilliant fielding made him one of the most complete T20 players.

Though he retired in 2022, his legacy still influences young batters across the league. He remains, in Sandeep’s words, “the backbone of CSK’s golden era.”

No. 5: AB de Villiers – The 360° Genius

Matches: 184
Runs: 5162
Average: 39.70
Strike Rate: 151.68
50s: 40

If T20 cricket had a Picasso, it would be AB de Villiers. Known for redefining batting angles, ABD has produced some of the most jaw-dropping innings in IPL history.

His partnership with Kohli for RCB was the stuff of legend, and his ability to finish games, rebuild innings, or hit bowlers into next week earned him a godlike status in India. “He made good balls look bad,” Sandeep quipped.

All-Round Options: Hardik Pandya & Sunil Narine

Hardik Pandya – The Power-Hitter & Finisher

Matches: 131
Runs: 2400+
Strike Rate: 145.78
Wickets: 53
Titles: 4 (MI), 1 (GT – as captain)

Hardik Pandya’s evolution from an uncapped finisher to IPL-winning captain (for Gujarat Titans in 2022) has been one of the league’s most inspiring stories. His ability to turn games with the bat or strike at crucial intervals with the ball makes him a key asset.

He’s the glue between top-order batters and tail-enders — an X-factor in every sense.

Sunil Narine – The Mystery Master

Matches: 171
Wickets: 192
Economy Rate: 6.74
Runs: 1100+ (often opened the innings)

Narine’s mystery spin revolutionized the art of T20 bowling. Bowling with a flat trajectory, he’s kept the world’s best batters guessing for years. Add to that his explosive pinch-hitting at the top of the order, and you have a player who reshaped the template for T20 all-rounders.

Sandeep included him for his dual-threat capability and unmatched economy rate.

Bowling Attack: Bumrah, Malinga, and Chahal

Jasprit Bumrah – The Death Overs Maestro

Matches: 129
Wickets: 183
Average: 22.01
Economy: 7.37

Sandeep called Bumrah “the most unplayable death bowler in IPL history.” His toe-crushing yorkers, deceptive slower balls, and nerveless composure make him India’s best T20 bowler and a global IPL icon.

Lasith Malinga – The Yorker King

Matches: 122
Wickets: 170
Best Figures: 5/13
Economy: 7.14

Before Bumrah, there was Malinga — the original death-over destroyer. His slingy action, inch-perfect yorkers, and match-winning spells helped MI win multiple titles. His consistency in delivering under pressure earns him a permanent place in any IPL all-time XI.

Sandeep himself faced Malinga in the nets and calls him “an absolute nightmare to pick, even after watching him a hundred times.”

Yuzvendra Chahal – The Spin Wizard

Matches: 153
Wickets: 221 (Most in IPL history)
Best Figures: 5/40
Strike Rate: 17.76

No bowler has taken more wickets in IPL than Yuzi Chahal. Be it in the middle overs or in a tense chase, Chahal has mastered the art of creating breakthroughs. He’s aggressive, unafraid to toss the ball up, and loves duels with top-tier batters.

His battles against Dhoni, Kohli, and ABD have become fan favorites. For Sandeep, Chahal’s “risk-for-reward” style of bowling is what separates him from the rest.

Sandeep Sharma’s All-Time IPL XI

Role	Player
Opener	Chris Gayle
Opener	Rohit Sharma
No. 3	Virat Kohli
No. 4	Suresh Raina
No. 5	AB de Villiers
No. 6 (C/WK)	MS Dhoni
All-Rounder	Hardik Pandya
All-Rounder	Sunil Narine
Bowler	Jasprit Bumrah
Bowler	Lasith Malinga
Bowler	Yuzvendra Chahal

Tactical Depth of This XI

Explosive Top Order: Gayle, Rohit, Kohli — game over if they click.
Flexible Middle Order: Raina, AB, Dhoni — experience and composure under pressure.
Death Over Finishers: Hardik, Dhoni, AB — all capable of striking at 180+.
All-Round Firepower: Narine & Hardik offer four overs each and batting versatility.
Bowling Variety:
- Spin: Narine (mystery), Chahal (leg-spin)
- Pace: Bumrah (death), Malinga (yorkers)
- Backup seam option: Hardik

This XI doesn’t just have balance — it has match-winners at every position.

A Dream Team Forged in Battle

Sandeep Sharma’s all-time IPL XI is not just a fantasy squad. It’s a tribute to the warriors of the IPL battleground, handpicked by someone who has spent over 15 years bowling to them.

This team has everything: power, poise, spin, speed, strategy, and swagger. It represents the soul of IPL, combining legends from various eras who shaped the league into what it is today.

And if this team were to ever take the field together?

Let’s just say — good luck to the opposition.

Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/