IPL 2024: Best India XI for first week

Abhishek Sharma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

The opening week of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was magnificent as it succeeded in delivering joy to fans with some amazing matches. In the ongoing tournament, Team India supporters will watch the performances of Indian players closely as cricket fans will head to the 2024 T20 World Cup, following the conclusion of the T20 extravaganza in India. 

In the last seven days, some Indian players have served their teams efficiently while a few are yet to deliver decent numbers to their sides. With the tournament’s first week’s conclusion, let’s have a look at some Indian players who have performed exceptionally. Discussing more, here is the best India XI of the first week.

Here is the best India XI of the first week

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma (Source -Twitter/X)

Rohit Sharma exuded confidence with his bat in the inaugural week of the competition. Against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, he gave a fine start to Mumbai Indians (MI), with his 43-run innings off just 29 deliveries. The opener looked stunning against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as well. Chasing a mammoth total of 278, the right-handed opener gave a rapid start to the side, notching up 26 runs off just 12 deliveries.

2. Virat Kohli

Virat Kolhi in RCB ( Photo source: X ? Twitter )

Virat Kohli looked nervous in the opening game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and fell to Mustafizur Rahman, after scoring just 21 off 20. At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a four-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the veteran regained his form, with his scintillating 77-run innings off 49 balls.

3. Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Abhishek Sharma has done a superb job for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), so far. Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens, SRH faced a four-run loss but the southpaw looked impressive with his bat, hitting a 32-run innings off 19 balls as an opener. In their next game, the Sunrisers handed MI a 31-run defeat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and Abhishek became the Player of the Match for his extraordinary 63-run innings which came in just 23 deliveries.

4. Sanju Samson (C)

Sanju Samson ( Photo source: X / Twitter )

Sanju Samson looked phenomenal for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the previous week. In his team’s convincing 20-run win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Jaipur, the right-handed batter stitched a 93-run partnership with Riyan Parag. The captain played an unbeaten 82-run knock off 52 balls which helped the Royals put up 193 runs on the board. The RR skipper also became the Player of the Match for his excellent batting display.

5. Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their two games in the first week and in both victories, Shivam Dube made solid contributions with his bat. In the opening contest against the Challengers, he played a match-finishing knock of an unbeaten 34 off 28 deliveries. After beating RCB, Chennai vanquished GT by 63 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and this time, Dube hit 51 off just 23. The 30-year-old’s extraordinary batting display got him the Player of the Match award.

6. Dinesh Karthik (WK)

Dinesh Karthik (Source -IPL)

In the first game between CSK and RCB at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the visitors lost five wickets on 78 in 11.4 overs. In the crunch situation, Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik built a 95-run stand and helped the Challengers score 173 runs in 20 overs. In the fine partnership with Rawat, Karthik chipped in with 38 runs off 26 balls. RCB opened their account on the points tally with a four-wicket win over PBKS and Karthik took his side home with his unbeaten 28 off just 10.

7. Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh (Photo Source: Twitter)

Rinku Singh will look to display his talent for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) again, this season, to reserve his spot in Team India for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Against SRH, he came to bat at number seven and scored 23 runs off just 15 deliveries with three fours. 

8. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja (Photo Source – Twitter/X)

Ravindra Jadeja has spearheaded CSK’s spin attack confidently in his first two games. Against RCB in Chennai, he didn’t get any wickets in his four-over spell but gave away only 21 runs. Similarly, against the Titans, he couldn’t scalp any wickets but did damage to the opponents with his frugal two-over spell, conceding only 15 runs.

9.  Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana (Source -Twitter/X)

Harshit Rana grabbed a lot of eyeballs with his remarkable match-winning spell against SRH at Eden Gardens. Defending 13 runs in the last over, the young pacer got rid of dangerous Shahbaz Ahmed and Heinrich Klaasen and guided Kolkata to a four-run win. He also provided the first breakthrough to the side, with Mayank Agarwal’s wicket. The speedster ended his spell with 3/33 figures in four overs.

10. Avesh Khan

Avesh Khan. (Source -Twitter/X)

Avesh Khan’s responsibility is to support RR’s pace attack, along with Trent Boult, Nandre Burger, and Sandeep Sharma. Against Lucknow in Jaipur, he didn’t get any wickets but splurged only 29 runs. RR continued their domination at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium with a 20-run win over DC. Avesh’s contribution in the success was the crucial wicket of David Warner, who was looking in great touch.

11. T Natarajan

T Natarajan. (Source -IPL)

T Natarajan displayed his skills and experience against KKR in Kolkata’s batting turf. The speedster pushed the hosts under pressure, getting rid of Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer in the fourth over of the game. Bowling the final over, he also picked up Rinku Singh and concluded his four-over spell with 3/32 figures.

Also Check: Flop Indian XI of first week