Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans overpowered Rajasthan Royals in the final to bring an end to their successful IPL 2022 campaign. In the final, the captain himself was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round brilliance.
The Titans witnessed several of their team members taking up the onus and rising to the challenge throughout the season. Such was their synergy that former Indian cricketer and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar picked four of their players in his combined best XI of this year’s IPL.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Tendulkar named his best XI of the IPL 2022 season. He named Hardik Pandya as his captain and selected Orange Cap winner Jos Buttler as one of the openers of his team. The legendary cricketer also chose Punjab Kings’ scoring machine Shikhar Dhawan as the other opener.
KL Rahul, who emerged as the second-best batter of the season in terms of runs, would come in at number 3, while captain Pandya was placed at number 4 by the former Indian skipper. Gujarat Titans David Miller, who plundered 481 runs this year to deliver his magnum opus seasonal performance, would follow his captain at number 5.
Punjab Kings’ Liam Livingstone and RCB’s Dinesh Karthik as the finishers of his side. The two batters held staggering strike rates of 182.08 and 183.33, respectively. Lavishing praise on the duo, the 200-Test veteran said:
“Livingstone has the ability to hit sixes, a dangerous player. He is very clear in his mind and backs himself. Dinesh Karthik showed extraordinary consistency this season. I felt he looked calm and composed. He looked in control.”
The 2013 IPL winner selected Titans’ Rashid Khan and Purple Cap merchant Yuzvendra Chahal among the spinners. However, while he picked Indian speedster Mohammed Shami as one of the leading pacers of the side, he surprisingly also selected Jasprit Bumrah despite the Mumbai Indians bowler not enjoying the best of season this time around.
Sachin Tendulkar’s best-combined XI from IPL 2022:
Jos Buttler, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal.
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