The disappointing news is that India’s blue-eyed boy MS Dhoni didn’t make it to his team; of course, with so many good players it was hard to make a decision, and Srikkanth says: “Let’s make it clear, I have nothing against Dhoni. He is a great leader for India, but it’s just that there’s someone who has done better than him as a wicketkeeper batsman.”

And that player is Adam Gilchrist. With 495 runs he is the second highest run scorer of the IPL, and the captain of the winning team. Says Srikkanth: “I had to wait till the innings he played in the semifinal to include him in my team. But the way he took apart Team Delhi in that game, I had no choice (remember his blistering 35 ball 85?). He is my wicketkeeper batsman in the team.”

And how could Matthew Hayden have possibly been left out? The highest run scorer of the tournament, he is easily the worst opponent anyone could ask for. “There is never any doubt about Matthew Hayden’s inclusion. He is just too destructive a player. Just the right man to open the batting and put the rivals on the backfoot,” Srikkanth says.

With the two Australian legends opening for the team, Srikkanth goes on to pick Suresh Raina for his number 3 batsman and that is no surprise: “Easily one of the most consistent performers in the tournament. He held the Team Chennai batting together coming in at No. 3. In addition to that, he is a brilliant fielder and I had no doubts whatsoever about including him.”

And Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan is in at number 4. His selection may come as a surprise to many, but Srikkanth has made his choice: “I think he is just the right man for the No. 4 spot. You need such players in T20 cricket and I feel he is an asset to any team.”

Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma are the next to be included. Yuvraj’s team didn’t make it to the semifinals, but his performance was impressive enough. As for Rohit Sharma, Srikkanth likes how consistent he has been: “This tournament has seen him develop as an all-rounder and I was impressed with the way he won matches for Hyderabad.”

Yusuf Pathan’s team too couldn’t make it to the semis, but Yusuf made his strengths known early on: “He has shown it time and again that he can win matches on his own.”

As for the bowlers, Srikkanth has picked four of the tournament’s highest wicket takers: RP Singh – as the highest wicket taker and the most consistent bowler of the tournament, he just had to be included in the dream XI; Anil Kumble for his consistency, calm attitude and the best bowling figures; Ashish Nehra who managed to impress Srikkanth by the way he has shaped through the tournament; and Lasith Malinga “just because of his ability to take wickets”.

Now here is one winning dream team!

The Krish Srikkanth’s IPL Dream XI Team: Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Suresh Raina, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Anil Kumble, Ashish Nehra, RP Singh, Lasith Malinga.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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