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IPL 2021: AB de Villiers picks MS Dhoni as the captain of his IPL XI

By Nikhil Kumar Apr 3, 2021, 00:49 IST

Regarded as Mr.360, AB de Villiers is one of the best cricketers that South Africa has ever produced. The right-handed batsman has the ability to hit the ball anywhere around the ground.

Once he starts going on, he will become a nightmare for the opposition bowlers. Besides, the 37-year-old revealed his best IPL XI during an interaction with Cricbuzz.

He picked the former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni, as his team captain and named himself at No.4 along with Steve Smith and Kane Williamson on the note. "Last night I was thinking that if I pick my IPL XI and I include myself, how bad would that look.

So, opening the batting, I would pick someone whom I started with at Delhi, Viru (Virender Sehwag) at 1 and someone who I think has played some of the best cricket in the world in the last five years, Rohit at No. 2.

Then obviously Virat at No. 3, followed by Iā€™d say either Williamson, or Smith, or myself these are the two replacements. Ben Stokes at 5, MS at six as captain, and at No. 7, Iā€™d put Jaddu, Mr Jadeja. Rashid Khan at 8, Bhuvi at 9, Kagiso Rabada at 10 and Bumrah at 11." 

"Iā€™d put Stokes because obviously we know what he can do with the bat, but also considering that extra seaming option. Got the two spinners and then Bumrah, Rabada and Bhuvi as fast bowlers. So that pretty much covers everything," he added before signing off.

Have a look at his IPL XI:

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

Also Watch: Finn Allen's 71 off just 29 balls against Bangladesh

Most of the fans would be surprised after seeing the IPL XI picked by the South African cricketer as he didn't include David Warner and Suresh Raina who are the highest run-getters in the history of the Indian Premier League and placed at 2 and 3 positions respectively.  

Moreover, we can see that the "Universe Boss" Chris Gayle who is the specialist of this format and the legendary pacer Lasith Malinga is also not included in the team. However, the side looks stronger enough to beat any XI in the T20 format.

AB de Villiers has arrived in Chennai ahead of the IPL 2021

The alien has arrived at Chennai ahead of the 14th edition of the cash-rich contest which is going to commence in few days. They have to face the five-time title winners Mumbai Indians in their opening game on April 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

In the previous season, Virat Kohli and his men failed to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminators and ended up in the 4th position in the league.

If they beat Mumbai Indians in their opening game, it will give a lot of confidence to the side as the Rohit-led franchise is considered the strongest team in IPL 2020 and 2021 as well. Let's wait and see the tough battle between these two teams on the night of Friday.

Besides, Royal Challengers Bangalore posted an interesting picture of AB de Villiers when he joined the squad in Chennai. 

Here is the tweet:


 

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