• KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) The next big thing in Indian cricket, according to Sunil Gavaskar. The current big thing, Virat Kohli, still has plenty of mileage left yet, but Rahul models himself on the India captain, and he did a passable impression of his mentor in this competition. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP Photo
    KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) The next big thing in Indian cricket, according to Sunil Gavaskar. The current big thing, Virat Kohli, still has plenty of mileage left yet, but Rahul models himself on the India captain, and he did a passable impression of his mentor in this competition. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP Photo
  • Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders) Here for a good time if not a long time with the bat. His free-spirited pinch-hitting at the top of the order for KKR has been one of the tournament's highlights. It even feels as though his miserly bowling has become his second suit. Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP
    Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders) Here for a good time if not a long time with the bat. His free-spirited pinch-hitting at the top of the order for KKR has been one of the tournament's highlights. It even feels as though his miserly bowling has become his second suit. Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP
  • Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) Dan Vettori, who now coaches RCB, said in a pitch-side interview he had given up trying to think of ways to try to get his former teammate out, and focused on who was at the other end instead. Williamson has appeared invincible at times in this tournament. Punit Paranjpe / AFP
    Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) Dan Vettori, who now coaches RCB, said in a pitch-side interview he had given up trying to think of ways to try to get his former teammate out, and focused on who was at the other end instead. Williamson has appeared invincible at times in this tournament. Punit Paranjpe / AFP
  • Rishabh Pant (Delhi Daredevils) A second season of dramatic power-hitting and heavy run-yields for the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman. It is difficult to fathom quite how he can be so prolific while his team continue to underachieve. He was second in the run-charts, but Delhi finished last. Prakash Singh / AFP
    Rishabh Pant (Delhi Daredevils) A second season of dramatic power-hitting and heavy run-yields for the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman. It is difficult to fathom quite how he can be so prolific while his team continue to underachieve. He was second in the run-charts, but Delhi finished last. Prakash Singh / AFP
  • MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) Virat Kohli and Michael Bevan have their advocates when it comes to considering cricket’s greatest ever finishers, but it is hard to look past Dhoni. Now 36, he is still carving out run-chase masterpieces. The 34-ball 70 not out to beat RCB was spellbinding. Punit Paranjpe / AFP
    MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) Virat Kohli and Michael Bevan have their advocates when it comes to considering cricket’s greatest ever finishers, but it is hard to look past Dhoni. Now 36, he is still carving out run-chase masterpieces. The 34-ball 70 not out to beat RCB was spellbinding. Punit Paranjpe / AFP
  • Ambati Rayudu (Chennai Super Kings) A youngster with a bright future ahead of him, according to a confused Michael Clarke on one commentary stint. At 32, he may be past the young-buck phase of his career, but a hundred and three fifties en route to the final suggest he is far from past it, either. Money Sharma / AFP
    Ambati Rayudu (Chennai Super Kings) A youngster with a bright future ahead of him, according to a confused Michael Clarke on one commentary stint. At 32, he may be past the young-buck phase of his career, but a hundred and three fifties en route to the final suggest he is far from past it, either. Money Sharma / AFP
  • Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad) He could walk into this team on the strength of the mesmeric googly that bowled MS Dhoni in the playoff fixture against CSK in Mumbai alone. The Afghan legspinner has an impressive body of work to go with that, too, as surely the premier bowler in the competition. Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP
    Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad) He could walk into this team on the strength of the mesmeric googly that bowled MS Dhoni in the playoff fixture against CSK in Mumbai alone. The Afghan legspinner has an impressive body of work to go with that, too, as surely the premier bowler in the competition. Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP
  • Siddarth Kaul (Sunrisers Hyderabad) His red headband works a bit like Superman’s cape, or Harry Potter’s wand. Without it he is nondescript. Then he puts it on to bowl, and all of a sudden he is a force to be reckoned with. Only Andrew Tye took more wickets than the 21 Kaul managed. Punit Paranjpe / AFP
    Siddarth Kaul (Sunrisers Hyderabad) His red headband works a bit like Superman’s cape, or Harry Potter’s wand. Without it he is nondescript. Then he puts it on to bowl, and all of a sudden he is a force to be reckoned with. Only Andrew Tye took more wickets than the 21 Kaul managed. Punit Paranjpe / AFP
  • Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab) Taking 24 wickets in 14 games was a fine effort for the Australian paceman. His best haul came when he took four against Rajasthan Royals just hours after his grandmother had died. He sported a black armband saying “Grandma” on it. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP
    Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab) Taking 24 wickets in 14 games was a fine effort for the Australian paceman. His best haul came when he took four against Rajasthan Royals just hours after his grandmother had died. He sported a black armband saying “Grandma” on it. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP
  • Umesh Yadav (Royal Challengers Bangalore) His ready smile and cheery disposition hardly speak of a scary fast-bowler, but he bowled with fire and venom in this IPL. Twenty wickets in 14 games, and with a passable economy-rate, too, is quite the feat in a side that continues to perform below its means. PUNIT Paranjabe / AFP
    Umesh Yadav (Royal Challengers Bangalore) His ready smile and cheery disposition hardly speak of a scary fast-bowler, but he bowled with fire and venom in this IPL. Twenty wickets in 14 games, and with a passable economy-rate, too, is quite the feat in a side that continues to perform below its means. PUNIT Paranjabe / AFP
  • Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians) The champions were deposed without even making the playoffs, but their pace ace emerged with his reputation in tact, maybe even enhanced. Even though his method has altered slightly, he remains nerveless at the death. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP
    Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians) The champions were deposed without even making the playoffs, but their pace ace emerged with his reputation in tact, maybe even enhanced. Even though his method has altered slightly, he remains nerveless at the death. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

Cricket

Indian Premier League 2018: Team of the tournament

MS Dhoni, KL Rahul and Kane Williamson among the players picked by Paul Radley in his best XI from this year's competition

Paul Radley

May 28, 2018

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The 2018 Indian Premier League season is over and it is a third title for Chennai Super Kings after they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sunday's final.

With the competition now consigned to the record books, Paul Radley picks his team of the tournament.

Hyderabad are most represented with three players picked, while champions Chennai and Kings XI Punjab both have two players each, with seven of the eight sides having at least one player in the line-up.

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Kolkata Knight RidersSunrisers HyderabadRoyal Challengers BangaloreIndia cricket