Balanced all-time IPL XI comprising only Orange Cap and Purple Cap winners
We have come across many types of all-time playing XIs for the Indian Premier League. However, we will take a different approach this time. On that note, here, we take a look at a balanced all-time IPL XI comprising only Orange Cap and Purple Cap winners.
Orange Caps and Purple Caps are the indicators of the best performers in IPL. However, when you talk about an all-time IPL XI, we also included a lot of players who have not won either of the awards. Hence, this time, we compose a playing XI that consists of players who have won this award at least once.
Openers: Chris Gayle and David Warner (C)
Gayle and Warner will open the batting for this balanced all-time IPL XI comprising only Orange Cap and Purple Cap winners. Both these left-handed destructive batters have won more than one Orange Cap. In fact, Warner has won it the most number of times in the history of IPL. Warner will also be the captain of this squad because he is the only cricketer who qualifies for this XI and has also won a trophy as a captain.
Middle-Order: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mike Hussey and Jos Buttler (WK)
Most of the Orange Cap winners belong to the top of the order. Hence, it will be a difficult task to constitute the middle-order of this squad. Nevertheless, we have a few players who have done well in the middle-order, either in the IPL or for their respective nations. Hence, such players have been selected. Jos Buttler will keep the wickets for this squad. Kane Williamson and Robin Uthappa are two players who failed to make the cut for this XI.
All-Rounders: Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo will be the only all-rounder in this balanced all-time IPL XI comprising only Orange Cap and Purple Cap winners. Bravo has won this award a few times and he is currently the highest wicket-taker in the IPL. Often, he also produced some good shows with the bat and hence, he comes in this category for this XI.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha and Yuzvendra Chahal
Malinga and Bhuvi were consistent in the league and hence, they are two of the best pacers to have played the game. Bhuvi is still an active part of the tournament. Not many spinners have won the Purple Cap. However, Pragyan did it when the tournament was in its nascent stages while Chahal won it in IPL 2022. Therefore, both these spinners feature in this playing XI.