Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg, in his YouTube channel, picked his Best XI of IPL 2021, which happened just half of the whole. Hogg had some interesting selections over missing out on the very predictable players that should have made it to the XI.
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Hogg’s Best IPL 2021 XI
Hogg had no surprising choices for the opening pair, which has to be Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan, who set the concluded first half of IPL in a saga of the run. They both were also in the top 5 scorers of the season. Sanju is his No.3 pick, as he has been on and off this season, but had a pretty decent IPL, but Moeen Ali could have been an ideal No.3 player in this XI. The unique choice came here at No.4, where he took Rishabh Pant in his team, who has also been made the captain of his team, as well as the wicketkeeper.
Hogg did not pick Glenn Maxwell here, and that was a surprising take by him because Rishabh has not been upto his mark with the bat this year. At number 5, AB de Villiers had to have his spot, he has been a backbone for RCB this year. Ravindra Jadeja is the next pick, the all-rounder set the IPL on fire, with all his performances in every department.
At No.7, Sam Curran made it to the team, he bowled very well and took crucial wickets when needed. The spin duo- Rashid Khan and Rahul Chahar made it to his bowling department as expected. Fast bowling duo- Jasprit Bumrah, who never ceases to impress, and the young Avesh Khan- who impressed all of the IPL fans in this season.
Brad Hogg’s XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant (wk & c), AB de Villiers, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Rashid Khan, Rahul Chahar, Avesh Khan, Jasprit Bumrah
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Emergence of Rishabh Pant in International Cricket
The wicket-keeper batsman was criticized for his attacking style of play and his rash shots at a crucial point of the game. After the 2019 World Cup, he improved his temperament and shot selection. The Year of 2020 has been terrific for him with a stupendous contribution in the test series against Australia. Then, in the home series against England, he was one of the best batters for the team in the ODI as well as test series.
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