IPL 2022: Rating and Ranking the Best Playing 11 of all 10 Teams

Delhi Capitals, the best team on paper as we look at the ranking and rating of the best playing 11 of all 10 teams for IPL 2022. 

With about a week to go, cricket fans across the globe are going to witness their favourite carnival in the Cricketing world, the Indian Premier League. The best T20 tournament in the world is grander this time with the addition of two new teams, and an increase in the match count from 56 to 74. 

But the addition of two new teams also brings its challenges. With the resource pool more or less being the same, the quality of talent isn’t uniform everywhere as only the smartest buyers could fetch the best talent. This has led to most of the teams playing 7-8 strong players, and 3-4 decent backups or youngsters. 

So, in this article, we take a look at ranking and rating of the best first-choice playing 11 of all 10 teams. As usual, teams are ranked basis their playing 11 rating, which is derived basis their player ratings. Players are relatively rated basis the benchmark players, and the rating for all the players is derived basis their last three year’s IPL performance, and their current International or Domestic form.

Alright then, let’s look at the ranking and rating of the best playing 11 of all the 10 teams for IPL 2022. 

---

#10: Mumbai Indians – 8.25

Here’s a bummer right away. It is shocking to see a team that has been the most successful franchise in the history of IPL, and was also the strongest team on paper in 2020 and 2021 is now at number 10 position. But what has changed in 2022 such that they are at the bottom? Well, it is the poor Auction strategy and reliance on young blood more that see Mumbai India’s best playing 11 right at the bottom. 

Analysing the best playing 11, Mumbai Indians have a solid top 3 in the form of Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav. But that’s about it. The rest of the batting is thin with young Tilak Verma and Sanjay Yadav in the ranks. These two are supported by the overseas firepower of Kieron Pollard and Tim David. 

While batting looks under-par, the bowling isn’t impressive either. Jasprit Bumrah is the only outstanding bowler. The likes of Daniel Sams and Tymal Mills are decent bowling options, and Murugan Ashwin is still experienced. Barring these four, Tim David, Sanjay Yadav, and Pollard will have to complete the rest of the 4 overs. 

Mumbai Indians Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Sanjay Yadav, Daniel Sams, Murugan Ashwin, Tymal Mills & Jasprit Bumrah 

#9: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.37

At number 9, we have the Orange Army, Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team of 2022 is without their four top overseas players, David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Holder, and Rashid Khan. Instead, the team now has Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shephard, and Washington Sundar. While these 4 may not match the quality of the previous 4, they are still good options to have. 

SRH’s weakness is its reliance on young blood. From their strongest playing 11, SRH have Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Kartik Tyagi, and T Natarajan as inexperienced blood. However, the team would be happy to see well-experienced contingent too. The bowling is relying on all Indian bowlers, and batting is relying on overseas batters.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Kane Williamson (C), Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Abdul Samad, Romario Shephard, Washington Sundar, Kartik Tyagi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar & T Natarajan

#8: Gujarat Titans – 8.39

Number 8 sees one the two new teams that joined this year, the Gujarat Titans. The Ahmedabad based franchise looked one of the most confusing sides in the Auction. If we look at their strongest playing 11, the batting looks thin with the likes of Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, and David Miller being the stand out. 

The bowling looks thin too, but it is the trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, and Lockie Ferguson that would make the most impact. The overall playing 11 looks below-par with responsibility on a few shoulders. It would be interesting to see how Hardik Pandya, the debut leader inspires this team to a trophy win. 

Gujarat Titans Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), David Miller, Hardik Pandya (C), Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Jayant Yadav, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami & Lockie Ferguson 

#7: Rajasthan Royals – 8.43

Number 7 sees a familiar name that has had a relatively decent or below-par playing 11 in the last few years. The 2022 years sees them with a good playing 11, but with a few drawbacks. The team has a few potential match-winners in the form of Jos Buttler, Captain Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, and a couple of lethal bowlers.

But apart from these match-winners, RR have inexperienced but potential players in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Navdeep Saini, and Prasidh Krishna. The team is also devoid of a solid all-rounder with the best candidate being James Neesham. They may not be the strongest team on paper, but have the potential to replicate 2008. 

Rajasthan Royals Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C&WK), Shimron Hetmyer, James Neesham, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna & Yuzvendra Chahal

#6: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.46

The Purple army, Kolkata Knight Riders would be fighting the 2022 campaign under the new leadership of Shreyas Iyer. This seems almost the replica of 2011 when KKR managed to get Gautam Gambhir as their captain from Delhi, and then faced CSK in the opening match of the tournament. Gambhir had a rift with Team India’s keeper, Dhoni then, and now Iyer has a rumoured rift with Team India’s keeper, Pant. 

Coming to the playing 11, KKR got a shock when Alex Hales decided to withdraw from IPL citing bio bubble issues. He was replaced by Aaron Finch, but it seems KKR would play Sam Billings at the top alongside Venkatesh Iyer. The middle-order seems potent with Iyer, Rana, Russell, and Sheldon Jackson taking the centre stage. The bowling isn’t bad with Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine present. 

Kolkata Knight Riders Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Sam Billings, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Sheldon Jackson (WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy & Umesh Yadav

#5: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8.48

The number 5 sees RCB with a revamped playing 11. They let go of most of the players that played for them in 2021, and are also under the new leadership of Faf du Plessis. Their captain would open the innings alongside young Anuj Rawat. These 2 would be followed by Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik with Mahipal Lomror sandwiched in between. 

The bowling seems potent with Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood leading the attack. The team has good firepower and match-winners with them, but of course, it isn’t complete with gaps in the batting department. However, under the fresh leadership of Faf du Plessis, the Ee sala cup Namde may come back to life once again.  

Royal Challengers Bangalore Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmad, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

#4: Chennai Super Kings – 8.51

The number 4 is another surprising entry with last year’s champions taking this position. Comparing their current playing 11 with last year’s playing 11, 8 of their players are the same. But it is the remaining three players that are missing, a concern. The likes of Devon Conway, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Adam Milne are no match to Faf du Plessis, Josh Hazlewood, and Shardul Thakur.

This is the reason, CSK lost points, and had to settle for the number 4 position in terms of strongest playing 11. However, overall, the team is still potent amidst a few gaps. They have 3 good all-rounders, a brilliant opener, a solid middle-order, and decent bowling options. With MS Dhoni as captain, nothing is impossible for the Men in Yellow. 

Chennai Super Kings Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Adam Milne

#3: Punjab Kings – 8.58

The number 3 best playing 11 sees a surprising name, Punjab Kings. The team that always manages to finish in the bottom 4 has this time managed to get a solid playing 11. There are hardly any gaps in their team. The batting line-up is solid; in fact the best of the lot. The bowling has a mix of fire and potential, and the all-round department is awesome too.

If any, Punjab Kings would miss having a good leader in the ranks. For 2021, KL Rahul led the team with pride, but 2022 shall see Mayank Agarwal making his IPL captaincy debut. This seems to only weak link for them, but otherwise a solid playing 11 on paper.

Punjab Kings Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Rishi Dhawan, Odean Smith, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar & Arshdeep Singh.

#2: Lucknow Super Kings – 8.74

It would surprise a few of you, but Lucknow Super Giants actually have the second-best playing 11 for IPL 2022. The team is potent in all directions with hardly any gaps to be addressed. Their best playing 11 has 8 batting and bowling options with a solid top 3.

The bowling is full of wicket-takers and batting is full of aggression with KL Rahul and Manish Pandey as anchors. LSG have 4 solid all-rounders as well; a luxury no other team has. The only thing that can come in their way is KL Rahul’s leadership. With a few unsuccessful captaincy attempts for PBKS, can KL Rahul inspire LSG for the debut trophy win? 

Lucknow Super Giants Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

KL Rahul (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Manish Pandey, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Ravi Bishnoi, Mark Wood & Avesh Khan

#1: Delhi Capitals – 8.76

The on-paper best playing 11 of the year award goes to Delhi Capitals. The team is without a few of their match-winners like Shikhar Dhawan, Marcus Stoinis, Kagiso Rabada, etc. but even without them, the newly formed Delhi Capitals team is a force to reckon.

They have David Warner and Prithvi Shaw at the top, Mitchell Marsh, Axar Patel and Rovman Powell as all-rounders, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan as finishers. The bowling is good too with Anrich Nortje, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav in the mix. The team doesn’t have a weak link as even their most inexperienced player, Sarfaraz Khan is in a dream form.

Delhi Capitals Strongest First-choice Playing 11 for IPL 2022:

David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (C&WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Chetan Sakariya, Kuldeep Yadav & Anrich Nortje 

So, that completes the best playing 11 ranking and rating comparison for all 10 teams for IPL 2022. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants stand out as the best two teams. KKR CSK, and PBKS are almost equal. Whereas RR, KKR, RCB, and GT are neck-and-neck. The team that disappoints the most is Mumbai Indians. But as we know, anything is possible in IPL, and it is about converting potential into form. 

Thanks for reading! Looking at the playing 11 of all the teams for IPL 2022, which one feels the best? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

---

ALSO READ: IPL 2022: Consolidated Official Schedule Announced – Download Pdf

---

© AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics