Harbhajan Singh Names His IPL 2022 XI; appoints Hardik Pandya as Captain

Former Indian spin maestro Harbhajan Singh unveiled his Best IPL XI comprising the best performers of the 15th edition of the biggest T20 league in the world. This year’s IPL ended on a successful note despite the odds of Covid19 hitting some players. Still, the IPL fixtures were not disturbed and all ended well. Now with IPL ending, cricket greats and analysts are revealing their best XI and so did Harbhajan in an interview with Sportskeeda. It was however no surprise that the big names of Indian cricket – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – were missing from Bhajji’s list. 

Captain

Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to their maiden title – has been named as the captain of Harbhajan’s IPL XI. Hardik scored 487 runs at an average of 44.27, including four half-centuries.

Opening Batters

On predictable lines, Harbhajan picked Orange Cap holder Jos Buttler as the opener along with Lucknow SuperGiants captain KL Rahul, who has also had a good run in IPL 2022. Jos Buttler was the leading run-scorer in the season, with 863 runs. While KL Rahul was second on the table with 616 runs.

Middle Order Batters

At No 3, there was a surprise as Rahul Tripathi after a phenomenal season gets there. At No 4 is the hard-hitting Liam Livingstone.

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Lower Middle Order

Hardik, who is the captain of his side, comes in at No 5. Dinesh Karthik, who had a brilliant run in IPL 2022, finds himself in Harbhajan’s best XI. Next up he brings in the Caribbean muscle power Andre Russell who will balance the side with his power hitting and decent bowling spells.

Bowlers

In the bowling department he brings in  Rashid Khan who will also be useful with his batting skills as well. In spin bowling, he will have company from Purple Cap winner, Yuzvendra Chahal. Umran Malik, Josh Hazlewood are the two pacers Harbhajan picked while he made Mohammed Shami the 12th man.

Harbhajan Singh’s IPL 2022 XI

Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Rahul Tripathi, Liam Livingstone, Hardik Pandya (captain), Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rashid Khan, Umran Malik, Josh Hazlewood

12th Man: Mohammed Shami