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Mandeep Singh has unveiled a star-studded all-time IPL XI that features several modern greats but surprisingly leaves out record-breaking name like David Warner.
Speaking to CricTracker, Mandeep, a veteran of 14 IPL seasons with 111 appearances, has built his reputation as a prolific domestic run-getter and a reliable T20 anchor, recently leading Punjab to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2023 to end a three-decade drought for the state. After moving to Tripura for the 2024–25 domestic season, he captained across formats and compiled consistent scores in Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali, even as the team failed to go beyond the group stages. His experience across franchises and domestic setups lends weight to his choices in an all-time IPL XI picked in an interaction with CricTracker.
Mandeep Singh’s bold revelation of all time IPL XI
For the XI, Mandeep opted for an all-Indian opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, banking on their proven IPL pedigree and big-match temperament at the top. Suresh Raina, long hailed as “Mr IPL” for his consistency with Chennai Super Kings, was slotted at No. 3, followed by AB de Villiers at No. 4 to provide explosiveness and versatility in the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni complete a power-packed core, with Dhoni taking over the dual role of wicketkeeper and captain, underlining his unmatched legacy as a leader and finisher in the league.
Power-packed lower order and big omissions
In the lower middle order, Hardik Pandya is the lone seam-bowling all-rounder, giving balance with his ability to bowl in different phases and clear the ropes at the death. The pace attack is headlined by Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah, a pair that terrorized opposition batters for years at Mumbai Indians with yorkers and variations across multiple title-winning campaigns.
The spin department is equally intimidating, with Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine chosen as frontline tweakers, combining mystery, control and lower-order hitting to cover multiple roles. As Impact Player, Mandeep has gone for Chris Gayle, the “Universe Boss”, whose record for most sixes and the highest individual IPL score (175*) makes him one of the most destructive T20 openers of all time.
However, the talking point is not just who made the cut, but who missed out. Mandeep’s XI does not feature Yuzvendra Chahal, the league’s leading wicket-taker with over 220 scalps, despite his sustained success across franchises in the middle overs. Even more eye-catching is the absence of Warner, the only player to have won the Orange Cap three times and one of the highest run-getters and half-century makers in IPL history, widely regarded as the most successful overseas batter in the tournament. The exclusions highlight the difficulty of compressing more than 17 years of IPL excellence into a single XI, while also revealing Mandeep’s clear preference for multi-dimensional cricketers who offer leadership, flexibility and impact in multiple phases of a T20 game.
Mandeep Singh’s all-time IPL XI
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Hardik Pandya, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine.
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