The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen some of the greatest cricketers in history showcase their talent on the biggest T20 stage. From breathtaking centuries to match-winning spells, the tournament has witnessed some iconic performances over the years.

Recently, West Indian legend Chris Gayle revealed his all-time IPL XI, sparking a debate among fans. While his selections featured some of the most dominant players in IPL history, two major exclusions stood out—Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. Given their immense contributions to the league, their omission came as a surprise to many.

Let’s take a closer look at Gayle’s all-time IPL XI and analyze the reasoning behind some of his choices.

Chris Gayle’s All-Time IPL XI

The explosive opener’s team consists of some of the most destructive batsmen, reliable all-rounders, and lethal bowlers. Here is the squad that Gayle picked:

Openers:

1. Virender Sehwag
   
   

2. Chris Gayle
   
   

Middle Order:

3. Virat Kohli
   
   

4. AB de Villiers
   
   

5. MS Dhoni (C & WK)
   
   

All-rounders:

6. Andre Russell
   
   

7. Dwayne Bravo
   
   

Bowlers:

8. Sunil Narine
   
   

9. Lasith Malinga
   
   

10. Rashid Khan
    
    

11. Jasprit Bumrah
    
    

The Shock Omission of Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, the most successful captain in IPL history with five trophies for the Mumbai Indians, did not find a place in Gayle’s XI. This decision raised eyebrows, as Rohit has been one of the most consistent performers in IPL history.

Read More: Shubman Gill Reveals Batting Strategy for IPL 2025

Why Was Rohit Left Out?

• Batting Position Conflict: Since Gayle named himself and Sehwag as openers, there was no space for Rohit at the top, where he has played his best IPL cricket.
  
  

• Preference for Kohli and AB de Villiers: Gayle chose Virat Kohli at No. 3 and AB de Villiers at No. 4—two players who have dominated IPL batting charts.
  
  

• Captaincy Role Given to Dhoni: While Rohit has been a phenomenal leader, Gayle opted for MS Dhoni as the captain and wicketkeeper of the team.
  
  

Despite these reasons, many fans believe that a player with over 6,000 IPL runs and five championships should have been included in an all-time XI.

Hardik Pandya’s Exclusion – A Tough Call?

Another major talking point was the omission of Hardik Pandya, one of the finest all-rounders in IPL history. His ability to finish games with the bat, contribute with the ball, and lead on the field has made him an IPL superstar.

Why Was Hardik Left Out?

• Preference for Russell and Bravo: Gayle picked two West Indian all-rounders—Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo—who have been dominant match-winners in the IPL.
  
  

• Bowling Depth Covered: With Russell, Bravo, and three world-class pacers in Malinga, Bumrah, and Rashid Khan, Gayle might have felt that Hardik wasn’t a necessity.
  
  

• Lack of Longevity Compared to Others: While Hardik has been exceptional, Bravo and Russell have been IPL match-winners for a longer period.
  
  

Though Hardik Pandya has led Gujarat Titans to an IPL title and played many unforgettable innings, Gayle’s preference for all-rounders with proven IPL-winning experience played a role in this decision.

Strengths of Gayle’s All-Time IPL XI

Despite the exclusions of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, Gayle’s all-time IPL XI is an absolute powerhouse.

1. Explosive Top Order

With Sehwag and Gayle as openers, this team would get off to flying starts. Both batsmen are known for their fearless hitting, and they could take the game away in the powerplay.

2. Unbeatable Middle Order

The trio of Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Dhoni is as good as it gets. Kohli is IPL’s leading run-scorer, AB de Villiers is a T20 genius, and Dhoni is the best finisher the league has ever seen.

3. Match-Winning All-Rounders

Russell and Bravo bring the perfect balance to the team. Both players can turn matches around with their big-hitting and effective bowling.

4. Lethal Bowling Attack

The combination of Bumrah, Malinga, Rashid, and Narine ensures that this team has quality options in both pace and spin departments.

Read More: Riyan Parag to Lead RR in First 3 Matches of IPL

Final Thoughts – Is This IPL’s Best XI?

Chris Gayle’s all-time IPL XI has sparked debates, especially due to the absence of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. While both players have been integral to their respective franchises, Gayle’s selections prioritize firepower, impact, and match-winning ability.

Ultimately, selecting an all-time XI is subjective, and different fans and experts will have different opinions. Whether one agrees with Gayle’s picks or not, his squad undoubtedly features some of the biggest game-changers in IPL history.

What do you think? Should Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have made the cut? Let the debate continue! ??