IPL 2024: All Star XI

The latest edition of the Indian Premier League gets underway in March this year and with the draft in the rear view mirror, here is a look at an All Star XI from the players involved in this season's competition.

Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans

There is no better place to start at the top of the order than with Shubman Gill, the most valuable player and highest runscorer in the 2023 season.

Gill claimed the Orange Cap last term after striking 890 runs in 17 innings for Gujarat Titans with a high score of 129.

The Titans finished as runners-up last season but are once again in good hands with Gill installed as their captain for the new campaign.

Faf Du Plessis, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, South African ace Faf du Plessis completes the opening partnership in this All Star XI.

Gill was the only player to outscore Du Plessis in the IPL last season with the Bangalore man racking up 730 runs in 14 innings, while no player bettered his tally of eight half-centuries.

Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore

There were a few contenders for the number three spot but it is always hard to look past veteran Virat Kohli, who was among the best batsmen in the franchise competition again last season.

Kohli scored 639 runs in the IPL last season, with a high score of 101 not out, and his overall run tally in the competition now stands at 7,263.

His runs, experience and leadership skills make him a crucial component of the team.

Devon Conway, Chennai Super Kings

Although a little lower down in the order than he would like, Devon Conway is a capable number-four batsman who played a key part in Chennai Super Kings lifting the trophy last season.

Not only did he amass the third-most runs in the 2023 IPL (672 with a strike rate of 139.7) but he was also named player of the match in the final after scoring 47 off 25 deliveries in the chase.

Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians

In at four is the team's first all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who became the first captain after the late Shane Warne to lead a team to an IPL title in their maiden season when in charge of Gujarat Titans in 2022.

His side were runners-up last campaign and he has since switched to Mumbai Indians, replacing Rohit Sharma as the team's captain.

Pandya is a danger with bat and ball, having scored 346 runs and taken three wickets in the 2023 IPL.

Dinesh Karthik, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Dinesh Karthik brings plenty to the table, not least as the All Star XI's designated wicket-keeper.

The veteran has been involved in every season of the IPL since its inaugural campaign back in 2008 and previously led Kolkata Knight Riders to the competition's playoffs.

He is a handy, versatile and experienced member of the squad, whose IPL dismissal total of 169 is bettered only by MS Dhoni.

Rashid Khan, Gujarat Titans

Widely considered the best leg-spinner in white-ball cricket, Rashid Khan was another must in this All Star XI.

Although still only 25, the Afghan ace has plenty of experience under his belt and finished third in the wicket-taking standings last season with 27 scalps in 17 matches.

Pat Cummins, Sunrisers Hyderabad

His team-mate Mitchell Starc may have broken the record an hour later but Pat Cummins was initially the highest-paid player in the history of the IPL auction at the end of last year.

Sunrisers Hyderabad paid handsomely for the services of Australian captain Cummins, who featured for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022.

He only has 45 wickets to his name in the IPL, having had limited time in the franchise competition, but make no mistake, he is a big name and one to keep an eye on this year.

Yuzvendra Chahal, Rajasthan Royals

Another key spin option in this All Star XI, Chahal has taken 48 wickets in his last two IPL seasons, winning the Purple Cap for his haul of 27 in 2022.

He was fifth in the wicket-taking charts last year but still a crucial member of the Rajasthan Royals side and his wrist-spin is always dangerous.

Mohammed Shami, Gujarat Titans

Mohammed Shami was key in Gujarat Titans reaching the final of the IPL last season, having finished the season as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 17 innings.

Shami was also the leading wicket-taker in the powerplay last season, taking 17 wickets during the phase, and he can be a real game-changer.

Mitchell Starc, Kolkata Knight Riders

Last but by no means least on this list of IPL All Star XI players is the man who grabbed all the headlines after last year's IPL auction.

Australia bowler Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in IPL history when he was snapped up for the equivalent of £2.3 million by Kolkata Knight Riders and he could be in for a great season.

Starc has not featured in the IPL since 2015 but will be eager to up his preparations for the T20 World Cup taking place in the USA and Caribbean in June this year.