After the end of the group phase of 2018 VIVO IPL, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have made it to the play-off’s. While the performances of most of the overseas professionals in all the 8 franchises haven’t been up to the mark, there are few, who have left their mark in the tournament during the group phase.
Some of the players will still be in action during the play-off’s week, while most of the players head back to their respective countries. The fact that Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane ended up playing 3 games for Delhi Daredevils at the fag end of the group stage and impressed one and all with his performances against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, have prompted us to create our own Overseas XI for 2018 VIVO IPL which contains the only Associate player to have taken part in the 11th edition of the IPL, Sandeep.
The XI looks a well mixed blend of batsmen, bowlers and few all-rounders and it can give any International side a run for it’s money at any given day in a T20 match (Dare say, this XI can take on the best in ODI’s as well, if required).
Czarsportz 2018 VIVO IPL Overseas XI (Consideration only until the Group Phase – Based on Numbers and impact in the matches):
- Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings) – 438 runs in 13 matches @147.47 Strike Rate
- Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals) – 548 runs in 13 matches @155.24 Strike Rate
- Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 661 runs in 14 matches @143.07 Strike Rate
- AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 480 runs in 12 matches @174.54 Strike Rate
- Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders) – 327 runs in 14 matches @189.01 Strike Rate and 16 wickets @19.8 Strike Rate
- Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders) – 264 runs in 14 matches @189.92 Strike Rate and 13 wickets @15.6 Strike Rate
- Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) – 13 wickets in 9 matches @16.0 Strike Rate
- Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab) – 24 wickets in 14 matches @14.0 Strike Rate
- Mujeeb ur Rahman (Kings XI Punjab) – 14 wickets in 11 matches @17.7 Strike Rate
- Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings) – 9 wickets in 5 matches @12.0 Strike Rate
- Sandeep Lamichhane (Delhi Daredevils) – 5 wickets in 3 matches @14.4 Strike Rate
Others who have missed out on the playing XI but would definitely make the Overseas Squad for VIVO IPL are Chris Lynn (KKR), Rashid Khan (SRH) and Trent Boult (DD).