Bengaluru: A panel of experts has picked the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) cricketers (captain, batsman, bowler, all-rounder and coach) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Former cricketers made their choices on Star Sports’ “Cricket Connected” show. India’s Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra, Irfan Pathan, Sanjay Bangar, England’s Kevin Pietersen, Danny Morrison of New Zealand, were part of the panel. This year’s IPL has been suspended “till further notice” by the BCCI due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Meet the GOATs of IPL.
Captain: MS Dhoni (Captain, CSK) 3 IPL titles, 4,432 runs in 190 matches. Chennai Super Kings’ skipper Dhoni pipped Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma. Rohit has won four IPL titles. Under Dhoni, CSK qualified for all the 10 seasons’ knockouts which they were part of. For two years, CSK did not play the league as they were suspended.
Captain: MS Dhoni (Captain, CSK) 3 IPL titles, 4,432 runs in 190 matches. Chennai Super Kings’ skipper Dhoni pipped Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma. Rohit has won four IPL titles. Under Dhoni, CSK qualified for all the 10 seasons’ knockouts which they were part of. For two years, CSK did not play the league as they were suspended.
214
Batsman: AB de Villiers (South Africa, RCB) 4,395 runs in 154 matches. De Villiers edged out Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli, David Warner and Chris Gayle.
Batsman: AB de Villiers (South Africa, RCB) 4,395 runs in 154 matches. De Villiers edged out Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli, David Warner and Chris Gayle.
314
Bowler: Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka, MI) 170 wickets in 122 matches. Malinga got the better of Sunil Narine.
Bowler: Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka, MI) 170 wickets in 122 matches. Malinga got the better of Sunil Narine.
414
All-rounder: Shane Watson (Australia, CSK) 3,575 runs in 134 matches; 92 wickets. Watson beat off competition from Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo.
All-rounder: Shane Watson (Australia, CSK) 3,575 runs in 134 matches; 92 wickets. Watson beat off competition from Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo.
514
Coach: Stephen Fleming (New Zealand, CSK) 3 titles
Coach: Stephen Fleming (New Zealand, CSK) 3 titles
614
Rohit has a record four IPL titles. But the panel picked Dhoni ahead of him as GOAT. Overall, Rohit has won IPL trophies. He was part of Deccan Chargers (DC) when the side won IPL 2009 in South Africa.
Rohit has a record four IPL titles. But the panel picked Dhoni ahead of him as GOAT. Overall, Rohit has won IPL trophies. He was part of Deccan Chargers (DC) when the side won IPL 2009 in South Africa.
714
Kohli lost out to his RCB teammate De Villiers in the batsman's GOAT category.
Kohli lost out to his RCB teammate De Villiers in the batsman's GOAT category.
814
Warner too was in the short-list among batsmen.
Warner too was in the short-list among batsmen.
914
Gayle has a brilliant record in IPL but De Villiers was the winner.
Gayle has a brilliant record in IPL but De Villiers was the winner.
1014
Narine was in the bowlers' short-list.
Narine was in the bowlers' short-list.
1114
Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) too was in the bowlers' list.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) too was in the bowlers' list.
1214
Russell has delivered under pressu situations for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). But the panel thought Watson was better GOAT in all-rounders' section.
Russell has delivered under pressu situations for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). But the panel thought Watson was better GOAT in all-rounders' section.
1314
Dwayne Bravo too missed out to Watson.
Dwayne Bravo too missed out to Watson.
1414
In last year's IPL final, MI defeated CSK by 1 run to become the team with most titles in the history of IPL.
In last year's IPL final, MI defeated CSK by 1 run to become the team with most titles in the history of IPL.
