Sachin Tendulkar picks his best IPL 2022 XI, omits both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

The legendary batter and Mumbai Indians’ mentor Sachin Tendulkar has picked his best playing XI of the recently concluded IPL 2022. Tendulkar revealed that he has picked the XI solely on the basis of the performances of the players and it has nothing to do with their reputation.

“It’s got nothing to do with players’ reputation or their past performances. It is purely based on their performances this season and what they have been able to achieve this season,” said Sachin Tendulkar in a video on his Youtube channel.

Sachin Tendulkar reveals his best IPL 2022 XI, Hardik Pandya leads the side

“Hardik was the standout captain this season. He was clear in his mind, proactive. I always say that don’t regret, celebrate. If you are able to celebrate, it means the captain is outsmarting the opposition and that is what Hardik did,” said Sachin Tendulkar while revealing Hardik Pandya as the skipper of his best XI of the IPL 2022.

The legendary opener selected the Orange Cap winner Jos Buttler and the left-handed Shikhar Dhawan as the openers of the team. While the Englishman enjoyed a record-breaking season with 863 runs, Shikhar Dhawan scored 460 runs in 14 matches for Punjab Kings this season.

“He accelerates beautifully and keeps rotating the strike. A left-hander is always handy and Shikhar’s experience will also come useful,” said Sachin Tendulkar. Talking about Buttler, the right-handed batter said, “What a season he has had. Fabulous. I can’t see any player more dangerous than him in this IPL. There are a couple but when Buttler gets going, not many can catch up.”

Tendulkar placed LSG skipper KL Rahul at number three, who had another great season with the bat with 600+ runs. “I really like his stability and consistency. He is a player who can pick singles and when he wants to hit sixes he has the ability to do that as well,” said Sachin Tendulkar on KL Rahul’s selection.

Sachin next picked Hardik Pandya at number four and also named him the captain of the best XI of the IPL 2022. “He played some crucial knocks. Just like KL Rahul, he can hit sixes at will. He has got brute power, his bat swing is beautiful and the stability when he wants to hit the ball is really nice,” said Sachin Tendulkar.

Courtesy of his stellar finishing abilities and form this season, David Miller finds a place next in the XI also because the little master wanted to keep the left-hand right-hand combination. “Bringing another left-hander here because the left-right combination is important. There are a number of names who were there but I am going to play David Miller. He showed tremendous form, very good consistency and played some crucial knocks. What I observed this season was that he was able to hit towards all sides of the ground. It was proper cricketing shots and it was a treat to watch,” explained Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin picked the big-hitting Liam Livingstone and Dinesh Karthik as the finishers while the latter also dons the wicketkeeper’s gloves for the team. “Livingstone has the ability to hit sixes, dangerous player. He is very clear in his mind and backs himself. At number 6 that is a good position. His bowling will also come handy, I would ask him to bowl off spin more often,” said Tendulkar. He further talked about Dinesh Karthik saying, “He showed extraordinary consistency this season. I felt he looked calm and composed. He looked in control. When a batter is calm and has the ability to play 360, he is dangerous and that is exactly what Dinesh Karthik did this season. He is an obvious choice for me.”

Sachin Tendulkar forms the bowling attack consisting of two spinners, including Yuzvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan. In the pace attack, he goes with Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.

“He is dangerous as a batter, one has to remember. He gets breakthroughs in the middle overs and his success rate is very high. I have no iota of doubt about him at 8,” said Tendulkar on Rashid Khan.

Sachin Tendulkar also talked about Jasprit Bumrah’s quality and his death bowling. “The best death over bowler in the world. There are so many new names coming up in Indian cricket and they have shown amazing promise. I would say at this moment, Bumrah is my first choice. He is dangerous at the start and in the death overs. Others will have to push a little more to replace Bumrah,” said Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar’s IPL 2022 XI: Jos Buttler, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal.