All-Time XI of New Zealanders in the IPL

Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the biggest T20 leagues globally, and only talented players can survive in this. When it comes to finding talent, IPL is the perfect league and an opportunity for any cricketer. Many international dropouts who have played IPL and showed remarkable performance have made a sizzling comeback in their national sides. There’s always a pressure situation in this tournament. Either you become a hero or you get nothing. But the player who can perform even under pressure is a quality player and can be in the IPL. When we are talking about quality players many such talents come from New Zealand. Everyone loves kiwis in the format. Especially players like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, and cricketer turned head coach Brendon McCullum are respected in this format. In this article, we will feature the all-time New Zealand IPL XI. 

Wicketkeeper and Openers – Brendon McCullum & Jesse Ryder 

Brendon McCullum was a nightmare for all the bowlers. McCullum’s domination in this format was so ultimate that no one can forget his threatening 158 knocks vs RCB in 2008 and that was the opening match of IPL and even his wicket-keeping skills are top-notch. Explosive McCullum has played 109 IPL matches and scored 2880 runs with a Strike rate of 131.75, and he surely makes it to our all-time New Zealand IPL XI. 

Talking about Jesse Ryder he might not have an explosive record, but he can be ruthless with his left-handed batting and can also be a part-time bowler in the middle. Ryder can give an aggressive start towards the innings. Ryder only managed to play 29 IPL games and scored 604 runs and grabbed 8 wickets.

Middle-order – Kane Williamson, Colin Munro, and Ross Taylor 

Kane Williamson can be number 3 and also lead this side. In 2018 when David Warner wasn’t leading and Playing it was Kane Williamson who lead the side and helped Sunrisers Hyderabad to reach the finals. One of the finest players Kane Williamson has scored 1747 runs by playing 57 matches and at a strike rate of 134.18 which is magnificent.

 Colin Munro’s addition might be a shocker but if we look at his T20 stats he has been an important player in T20 leagues played around the world and has scored quick runs and had a decent IPL. If he gets a chance we might see his different version.

Ross Taylor can be an experienced kiwi who can bat in the middle. In the previous few season’s he’s not getting any bidders but if we look at his stats by playing 55 IPL matches he has scored 1017 runs at a strike rate of 123.72. Previously Taylor has played with RCB, RR and Delhi Daredevils.

All-rounders of New Zealand XI– Scott Styris and Corey Anderson 

Scott Styris was a very talented all-rounder and had a decent season with CSK. Styris was a promising Batting Allrounder for New Zealand, and he surely makes in our best all-time New Zealand XI. In IPL Styris managed to play 12 matches and scored 131 runs and grabbed 8 wickets. But if we look at his performance for New Zealand he’s surely a promising Batting All-rounder that any team would require.

 Corey Anderson is remembered for his outstanding performance when he scored 44 balls 95 for Mumbai Indians, shocked everyone, and played a crucial role for Mumbai Indians. Later on, in 2018, Corey’s performance went a bit down but surely he can give you with bat and with the ball overall he played 30 matches by scoring 538 runs and grabbed 11 wickets in IPL.

Bowlers of New Zealand XI – Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan,  and Trent Boult

Talking about Daniel Vettori, he is remembered for his captaincy role, which he played in 2011 which helped RCB reach the final but was eventually defeated by mighty CSK. Vettori had a unique bowling style of Left-arm orthodox and used to surprise the batsman by his surprising quicker deliveries. Overall he had a decent IPL he played 34 matches and grabbed 28 wickets with the best bowling figures of 3/15 and surely he features in our best New Zealand IPL XI. Tim Southee is a bowler who can use variations in death overs and has played 40 matches and grabbed 28 wickets with best figures of 3/24. Southee has played with CSK, Rajasthan Royals, and RCB previously.

 This team would be incomplete without the name Mitchell McClenaghan. Mitchell McClenaghan was a crucial bowler for Mumbai Indians and played 56 matches and clinched 71 wickets with best figures of 4/21. Since Trent Boult joined Mumbai he was unable to survive in the position but has helped Mumbai to win many games with his bowling and the last player in our New Zealand IPL XI is Trent Boult. 

Trent Boult is an asset that everyone wants to have. With his blistering pace, this bowler has impressed everyone in 55 games he has 71 wickets in his bag and 2020 was a crucial bowler for Mumbai Indians and helped them clinch the title. Even this year his death bowling was outstanding and showed his franchise why he is important and this completes the list in our New Zealand IPL XI.