Dream IPL XI from players that played in 1970s and 1980s

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a fascinating and revolutionary tournament that has changed the face of Indian Cricket. Acting as a catalyst, it has also helped unearth raw talents from across the globe. In its 10-year long journey, the IPL has evolved from being considered as a cash dispensing source for players, franchises and BCCI to being considered as one of the biggest platforms for the players to showcase their talents.

Cricket is a religion in India and IPL is perhaps the most celebrated festival of this religion. Just the thought of the existence of the IPL in the 1970s and the 1980s era can get the cricket frenzy nation thrilled. The mere visualization of those fiery fast bowlers, shrewd spinners, and old-school fearless batsmen under one hood is exhilarating. Compiling a dream IPL XI from an era of superstars is as difficult and confusing as choosing the top eleven dishes from a Michelin star restaurant's menu.

Here, we dive into the dream IPL eleven that comprises players from the 70s and 80s, which is captained by the legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev.

Note - The four overseas player rule of IPL applies here.

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#1 Openers

1.Krishnamachari Srikkanth

In an era of copybook style orthodox batting, Kris Srikkanth was a little unconventional. He opened the batting for India and was aggressive from ball one. The fans found his batting highly entertaining as he took on the top bowlers from across the globe without much fear. His hand-eye coordination was a major key to his uninhibited batting and hence, Srikkanth seems to fit in perfectly as an opener in our Dream IPL XI.

Kris Srikkanth's ODI stats

2.Ravi Shastri

The current head coach of India, Ravi Shastri started off as a bowler batting at number 10. He moved up the order gradually, sharpening his batting skills and eventually ended up as an opener for team India. Long before Yuvraj Singh had six sixes in an over, Shastri had achieved this feat in a first-class game. This six-hitting ability of his makes him the second opener in our Dream IPL XI.

Ravi Shastri's ODI stats

#2 Middle Order

3.Sir Viv Richards

Viv Richards was unarguably the most flamboyant and awe-inspiring cricketer of all time. Chewing the gum hard, he always swaggered towards the crease. His body language and the intense look on his face had the opposition sweating. This was accompanied by a series of mesmerizing stroke-plays that ripped apart the opposition bowling. An astounding strike rate of over 90 in ODIs, in an era where even 60 was considered brisk, is a huge feat in itself. Thus with absolutely no doubt, Richards would be the first overseas player in our Dream IPL XI and will bat at the no.3 position.

Sir Viv Richards' ODI stats

4.Allan Border

Allan Border was one of the greatest Australian batsmen and captain. The batting maestro not only scored over 11000 Test runs but also lead Australia to its first ODI World Cup victory in 1987. Border was a genius when it came to holding the innings together by forming strong partnerships. Thus his presence in the side provides stability to the middle order. Apart from being a great batsman, he was also a very resourceful spin bowler.

Allan Border's ODI stats

5.Mohammad Azharuddin

Azharuddin was elegance personified, with his wristy batting being a treat to watch. Picking up a ball pitched well outside off and hitting it towards the mid-wicket region was his signature shot. He used his feet against the spinners rather astutly and read the situation of the game very well and played accordingly. He could play the waiting game and switch gears when required with ease and was also one of the best fielders of his time. For a player batting at no. 5, it is essential to play as per the situation and Azharuddin did exactly that.

Mohammad Azharuddin's ODI stats

#3 Wicket-keeper

6.Farokh Engineer

Farokh Engineer kept wickets for India in the 60s and 70s. He was a burly figure but displayed swift glove work. Engineer was a belligerent batsman and scored quick runs against the best of the bowling line-ups, which earned him the tag of the poster boy of Indian cricket. Although he did not play many limited overs matches, his strike rate of over 137 in Tests matches is mind-blowing. Very few wicket-keepers of that era had such batting and keeping credentials.

Farokh Engineer's Test stats

#4 All-rounders

7.Kapil Dev (Captain)

Kapil Dev was India's first genuine fast bowling all-rounder. The big out-swinging delivery was his stock ball. He batted at the low-middle order and had the ability to thrash any bowling attack. A gritty knock of 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 Word Cup is a testimony to the fact that he was a great batsman. His batting and bowling capabilities along with his leadership skills make him the perfect choice as the captain of our Dream IPL XI.

Kapil Dev's ODI stats

8.Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee changed the face of New Zealand cricket completely. He was the first bowler in the world to pick up 400 Test wickets. Hadlee started off as a fast bowler bowling at an alarming pace and gradually he shifted his focus to swing and managed to trouble batsmen even on batting friendly wickets. Hadlee was a very competent batsman as well, with four ODI 50s to his name. Thus Hadlee's job in the Dream IPL XI would be to extract something out of flat tracks while bowling and use the long handle at the end while batting.

Sir Richard Hadlee's ODI stats

#5 Bowlers

9.Michael Holding

Michael Holding was an unrelenting and a threatening fast bowler in the start-studded West Indian lineup. Hodling was nick named 'Whispering Death' for his smooth and silent approach towards the bowling crease with a raw pace and a steep bounce. Holding, along with Kapil Dev and Richard Hadlee, would form a very balanced trio of fast bowlers in the Dream IPL XI.

Michael Holding's ODI stats

10.Erapalli Prasanna

One of best off-spinners from India, Prasanna picked his first 100 Test wickets in just 20 matches. He deceived the batsmen with his flight and was not afraid to bowl slow and full. The importance of wicket-taking spinners in the IPL has risen in the past few years and Prasanna thus becomes the first main spinner in the team.

Erapalli Prasanna's Test stats

11.Bhagwath Chandrasekhar

Chandrasekhar was an expert in spinning the web around the opposition batsmen. The champion leg-spinner out-witted the best of batsmen around the globe. Even Viv Richards expressed his inability to pick him. Wrist spinners have been highly successful in the IPL and thus Chandrasekhar would be the second primary spinner in the side.

Bhagwath Charasekhar's Test stats