IPL 2024: The Most Unique Playing 11 – One Player Per Team

Mumbai Indians with two players as we look at the most unique playing 11 for IPL 2024 with at least one player per team.

Just a week left, and the excitement to witness the Indian Premier League is already at its peak. It goes without saying that the Indian Premier League is undoubtedly the greatest T20 league in the world. The plethora of talent at display – be it Indian or Overseas is kind of extraordinary at the event. What’s more, it is not just 1-2 teams that have quality players. Given the way the tournament is designed, every team is filled with unique talent from across the world.

Given the plethora of quality talent available in each team, it sometimes becomes difficult to select the best 11 among all teams that can beat any other team on a given day. But how about we select a playing 11 that kind of considers the players of all teams? Well, technically, there are only 10 teams, and each team has at least 5-6 quality players that will come into the playing 11 of any team without a doubt.

But how about we choose a playing 11 that has a player from each team? Given that, we have 10 teams, we will already be having 10 players locked. The 11th player can come in from any team depending on his performance and the team composition. but how do we go about selecting the most unique playing 11 for IPL 2024 with one player per team?

Methodology:

Well, the best way to select a playing 11 is by identifying players who are benchmark in their respective categories like openers, middle-order, finisher, all-rounder, spinner, and pacer. These players will by default get into the side irrespective of the team composition. With six players already selected, the other 5 players will be selected based on the players and squad composition from respective teams. 

Benchmark Players

Virat Kohli (RCB), Suryakumar Yadav (MI), Heinrich Klaasen (SRH), Rashid Khan (GT) & Jasprit Bumrah (MI) 

If we talk about the benchmark players in the respective category, we have Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav among the best batters in the IPL currently. Then we have Heinrich Klaasen as the best finisher, Rashid Khan as the best spinner, and Jasprit Bumrah as the best pacer in IPL 2024. These six will come into the side by default irrespective of the team composition.

With six players already chosen from five teams along with two players from MI, we are left with choosing 5 players from the other five teams. The slots that are occupied include number 3 for Virat Kohli, number 4 for Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen for number 5 as a finisher and wicket-keeper, Rashid Khan for number 8, and Jasprit Bumrah for number 11. 

We now need two openers, one more finisher for number 6, one all-rounder for number 7, and two more bowlers. Important to note that, Hardik Pandya is actually a benchmark all-rounder. But since two players from MI, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are already included in the playing 11, we actually can’t have a third player from the same team. Hence, the next best all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja looks best to represent the CSK team. 

ALSO READ: IPL 2024: All 10 Teams Confirmed Best Playing 11

Other Players

KL Rahul (LSG), Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR), Andre Russell (KKR), Anrich Nortje (DC), Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) & Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) 

Talking about the two best openers to choose from the remaining five teams, KL Rahul as opener becomes a default choice. Even though KL Rahul missed the 2023 season, he is still an IPL legend with an unmatchable record. With KL Rahul as one of the opener, partnering with him, we need one solid opener from Rajasthan Royals.

We have two options in front of us in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler. Ideally, Buttler should come in by default, but given the overseas player restrictions and issues with team composition, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets a place in the 11. Jaiswal is no mug by any means. He is in the form of his life, and has already established himself as a mature player via IPL 2023 and IPL 2022.  

Now we have three places, and players to choose from KKR, PBKS, and DC. If we talk about selecting a finisher from these three, the first name that comes to mind is that of Andre Russell. Russell is one of the best finishers in the business if he gets going. With him at number 6, we are now left with two spots, and both belong to the bowlers. Selecting the best bowlers from the respective teams, we can either go for Kuldeep+ Rabada or Nortje + Arshdeep. Of the two combinations, Nortje + Arshdeep seems more potent.   

IPL 2024 Unique Playing 11 with One Player per Team: 

1. KL Rahul (LSG)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)
3. Virat Kohli (RCB)
4. Suryakumar Yadav (MI)
5. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH)
6. Andre Russell (KKR)
7. Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
8. Rashid Khan (GT)
9. Anrich Nortje (DC)
10. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)
11. Jasprit Bumrah (MI)

So, that’s about the IPL 2024 most unique playing 11 with one player per team. Overall, it’s a team that can challenge any opposition. And talking about the opposition, if we had to find an alternate team to challenge this, we would see the team as Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni, Kuldeep Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Yuzvendra Chahal.

Thanks for reading! Who are your most unique playing 11 for IPL 2024? Please email your comments to business@cric8fanatic.com

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