IPL 2022 Team of the Tournament by Cricalytics – Hardik Pandya to Lead

Jos Buttler and KL Rahul to open while Hardik Pandya to lead as we look at the best team of the tournament for IPL 2022.

6 years since we last had a team winning the IPL tournament other than Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings. The Ahmedabad based franchise, Gujarat Titans in their debut year have achieved a feat that was last achieved by Rajasthan Royals in the first edition in 2008. Coincidently, the same team has come up runner-up this time. 

While Gujarat Titans won the tournament in some grand style having also topped the group stages, it is surprising to know that none of their players is in the top 3 run-getters or top 3 wicket-takers. Also surprising is the fact that the Orange Cap and Purple Cap belonged to the runner-up team.

Having said that, we have seen some extremely brilliant displays of performances from not just Gujarat Titans or  Rajasthan Royals, but also other teams. So, in this article, we take a look at the IPL 2022 Best Team of the Tournament. Before that, let’s look at the stats methodology that helps us select this XI.

Stats Wizard Methodology:

Batting: As always, we have analyzed the batting performances basis the batting rating calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as runs scored, consistency, the number of match-winning & good knocks, acceleration bonus, and power-hitting bonus. 

Bowling: We have analyzed the bowling performances basis the bowling rating calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as wickets taken, consistency, the number of match-winning and good spells, number of maidens bowled, and economy rate bonus.

Overall, the best team of the tournament for IPL 2022 is selected basis the performance rating, and only players who have performed well in their respective positions are selected. Also, the team has a combination of a maximum of 4 overseas, 2 openers, 3-4 middle-order players, 1-2 all-rounders, 2-3 pacers, and a minimum of 1 spinner.

Openers:

#1: Jos Buttler (RR) – 10

Inns: 17 // Runs: 863 // SR: 149.1 // HS: 116

The Orange cap winner of IPL 2022  by some dominating margin, Jos Buttler has been the best batter of the tournament. With 863 runs from 17 innings, Jos Buttler is now the all-time 2nd-highest run-getter in a single edition of IPL. Only Virat Kohli with 978 runs has more runs that Jos Buttler in a single edition of IPL.

Overall, Jos Buttler’s 863 runs came at an average of 57.5 and a strike rate of 149.1. Buttler scored 4 centuries in this edition, which happens to be the joint-most by a player in a single edition of IPL. All these at a consistency of 64.7%, which isn’t bad at all. Unfortunately, Jos Buttler’s stunning performance couldn’t help his team cross the line in the final.

#2: KL Rahul (LSG) – 8.9

Inns: 15 // Runs: 616 // SR: 135.4 // HS: 103*

Konsistent Laudatory Rahul, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants undoubtedly makes it to the playing 11 having ended another season with 600+ runs. He is the second batter after Chirs Gayle to score 600+ runs in three consecutive years. However, even as KL Rahul finished as the 2nd-highest run-scorer, he was victim to a lot of criticism for his slowish knock in the Eliminator vs RCB. 

Middle-order:

#3: Rahul Tripathi (SRH) – 7.1

Inns: 14 // Runs: 413  // SR: 158.2 // HS: 76

The number 3 position had many contenders in the form of Deepak Hooda, Rajat Patidar, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Tilak Varma, but the one that beats them all is Rahul Tripathi. The aggressive SRH batter ended with 413 runs at a superb average of 37.5 and strike rate of 158.2; making him the only Indian batter to have a 35+ average and 150+ strike rate. Rajat Patidar did extremely well too, but he misses out only because he didn’t play many matches. 

#4: Hardik Pandya (GT) – 8.1

Inns: 15 // Runs: 487 // Wkts: 8 // HS: 87*

The Captain of this team and also the winning team, Hardik Pandya is the best person for the number 4 slot. Primarily a finisher, Hardik redefined his role for Gujarat Titans by playing with more maturity. Given Gujarat’s rather thin batting, he made sure he doesn’t throw it away. Overall, Hardik ended with 487 runs and 8 wickets. His 487 runs came at a superb average of 44.9. Hardik was also the player of the match in the final helping his team win the prestigious tournament.  

#5: David Miller (GT) – 8.2

Inns: 16 // Runs: 481 // SR: 142.7 // HS: 94*

Number 5 on the list is probably the best finisher of the tournament, David Miller. Time and again, David Miller scored valuable knocks to help his team win in tough situations. Overall, Miller scored 481 runs from 16 innings at a superb average of 68.7 and a strike rate of 142.7. His most valuable contributions came in the Qualifier 1 and Final where he remained not out on both the occasions, and scored 68*(38) and 32*(19) respectively.  

Finishers:

#6: Liam Livingstone (PBKS) – 7.5 

Inns: 14 // Runs: 437 // SR: 182.1 // HS: 70

Number 6 on the list had two major contenders, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone. Had it not been for overseas player restriction, both deserved a spot in the final 11. However, if one only had to be selected, it would be Liam Livingstone. Simply because of a better batting impact. Livingstone played some valuable cameos in dominating fashion. He scored a stunning 437 runs at a strike rate of 182.1; which happens to be the best with players scoring 400+ runs.  

#7: Dinesh Karthik (RCB) – 8.1

Inns: 16 // Runs: 330 // SR: 183.3 // SR: 66*

If there was one name that redefined his role perfectly in this IPL, it would be Dinesh Karthik. Time and again, Karthik played those superb cameos out of nowhere. His aggressive nature batting at 6 or below helped him score 300 runs at a stunning strike rate of 183.3; the best among people with 200 runs or more.  Such was his performance that he even earned a spot in the Indian T20I team.

Bowlers:

Coming to the bowling department, there were two options. Either to go with 3 pace and 1 spin option or 2 spin and 2 pace option. It is a decision that had to be taken considering overall performance and the presence of other all-rounders in the squad. Looking at the situation, 2 spin and 2 pace combination felt better. 

Overall, Yuzvendra Chahal and Wanindu Hasaranga are the leading wicket-takers of the tournament, hence these two spin options were a must. This is also the fact that Hardik Pandya was already there, so a need for a third pacer may not be there. Also, in the pace department, there weren’t many outstanding bowlers to be a sure shot contender. 

#8: Wanindu Hasaranga (RCB) – 7.3

Inns: 16 // Wkts: 26 // ER: 7.5 // BBI: 5/18

At number 8 we have the second-highest wicket-taker of the season, Wanindu Hasaranga. The wily leg spinner from Sri Lanka made the middle overs of his own. Of his 26 wickets, 19 wickets came in the overs 7 to 15, which is the highest by any bowler in IPL 2022. Hasaranga’s consistency stands at 56.3%, which isn’t bad either. Also, almost 90% of his wickets came with wrong’uns. 

#9: Mohsin Khan (LSG) – 8.9

Inns: 9 // Wkts: 14 // ER: 5.9 // BBI: 4/16

Probably the best Indian bowler of the season. Even though Mohsin played only 9 matches, by the end of the tournament, he was the leader of the pace attack. His height, pace, and perfect seam position helped him maintain an economy rate of 5.9; the best among bowlers with 10 wickets or more. Overall, for a fabulous debut season, Mohsin has achieved a performance rating of 8.9. 

#10: Umran Malik (SRH) – 6.7

Inns: 14 // Wkts: 22 // ER: 9.0 // BBI: 5/25

Pace, pace, and more pace. That’s how Umran Malik’s IPL 2022 could be defined. He played for 14 matches, and he won the fastest delivery of the match in all 14 of them – A feat achieved by no other bowler. However, more than pace, the fear that Umran generated in the minds of the batters, was something he should be proud of.

With Indian team selection, the most important thing which Umran needs to learn is line and length. If he is able to achieve what Dale Steyn did for years, it would make him the most dangerous bowler in the world. Overall, Umran finished as the leading wicket-taker Indian pacer with 22 wickets to his name from 14 outings. If not for his economy rate, he would have easily managed to get a rating of > 8.  

#11: Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) – 7.2

Inns: 17 // Wkts: 27 // ER: 7.8 // BBI: 5/40

Number 11 on the list is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, Yuzvendra Chahal. The flighted slower deliveries, that ability to take wickets even with classical leg breaks was a feat achieved by no spinner in the competition. Chahal should be proud of what he has achieved in this IPL. He managed to bowl the most difficult overs, and still had an economy rate of 7.8, which is excellent.  Overall, Chahal finished with 27 wickets, which is the most by any Indian spinner in the history of IPL. 

IPL 2022 – Dream Team of the Tournament: 

Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohsin Khan, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal

So, that completes the best team of the tournament for IPL 2022. Apart from the ones mentioned above, the other players that impressed the most include Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood, Harshal Patel, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Andre Russell, David Warner, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Aiden Markram

Thanks for reading! What’s your best team of the tournament for IPL 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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