IPL: New Zealand’s best XI in league history

New Zealand’s best XI in IPL history (Photo Source: X (Twitter)

In 2008, when the Indian Premier League (IPL) was launched, New Zealand wicketkeeper batter Brendon McCullum played a 158-run knock for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and made the opening game of the league scintillating and memorable for cricket supporters.

Over the years, New Zealand players have showcased their mettle in IPL and have won numerous hearts. Star New Zealand players such as Kane Williamson and Trent Boult enjoy large bases among avid cricket supporters not just because of their international performances but also due to their diligence in the cash-rich league. Remembering Kiwi stalwarts’ superb performances in the cash-rich league, it’s time to prepare their best IPL XI.

Here is New Zealand’s best XI in IPL history:

1. Brendon McCullum

Brendon Mccullum (Photo Source: Twitter)

Brendon McCullum played IPL from 2008 to 2018 and during those 10 years, he played 109 matches and scored 2880 runs with two centuries and 13 fifties. He kicked off his IPL career with KKR in 2008 and went on to serve the side until 2010. In 2011, he played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala, however, following the termination of the franchise, he returned to KKR in 2012 and also made a vital contribution to their maiden title victory.

In the 2014-15 seasons, he was in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp and scored 968 runs in 33 matches at a strike rate of 136.53 with a ton and five fifties. Following the suspension of CSK due to betting activities in 2015, he served Gujarat Lions (GL) for the next two years. The legendary stumper-batter played his last IPL season in 2018, donning Royal Challengers Bangalore’s jersey.

2. Devon Conway

Devon Conway. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Devon Conway broke into IPL in 2022 in CSK colours. In his debut season, he played only seven matches and scored 252 runs at a strike rate of 145.66. The next season, CSK won their fifth trophy and equalled Mumbai Indians’ record for most IPL titles. In Chennai’s notable success, Conway played an instrumental role with his bat.

As an opener, he delivered quality starts to the side alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is his opening ally. With 672 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 139.70, he ended up as the third-leading run-getter in the competition. 

3. Kane Williamson

Kane-Williamson. (Photo Source: Twitter)

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is currently a part of Gujarat Titans (GT) but back in 2015, he began his journey in the league, in Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In the 2018 IPL edition, David Warner failed to show up after his ban due to the infamous ball-tampering incident in South Africa. With his unavailability, Williamson was handed the reins of the side.

In the Aussie’s absence, the Kiwi stalwart looked confident as a skipper and took Sunrisers to the final. Williamson became the recipient of the Orange Cap for ending up as the leading run-getter in the competition, with 735 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 142.44 with eight fifties. 

4. Jesse Ryder

Jesse Ryder in RCB jersey ( Photo source : X / Twitter )

Jesse Ryder featured in IPL from 2009 to 2012. He made his debut for Challengers and scored only 56 runs in five games. In the 2010 edition of the T20 tournament, he was a vital player for Bangalore but couldn’t participate in the competition, due to an injury. 

The New Zealander joined the Yuvraj Singh-led Pune Warriors India in 2011 and looked decent with his bat in a few games. The southpaw ended the season with 292 runs in 23 contests at a strike rate of 148.22 with two fifties. In his brief IPL career, Ryder scored 604 runs in 29 matches at a strike rate of 131.88.

Also check: RCB News, fantasy article, and everything you need to know 

5. Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor (Photo Source: Twitter)

Ross Taylor played IPL from 2008 to 2014 and in those six years, he scored 1017 runs in 55 matches at a strike rate of 123.72. In the initial three seasons, he represented RCB but from 2011 to 2013, he played for three different sides. Playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2011, he amassed 181 runs in 12 matches at an average of 36.20. 

In 2012, he rendered his services to Delhi Capitals (DC) and played 12 matches, in which he scored 197 runs at a strike rate of 115.20. Following his dismal performance in the season, Delhi parted ways with him and in 2013, he featured in the Pune Warriors India squad but couldn’t justify his role with the bat. His last IPL season was in 2014 for the Capitals. This time, he got four games from DC and scored only 59 runs.

6. Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson (Photo Source: Twitter)

Corey Anderson debuted in the league in 2014 for Mumbai Indians (MI). In his maiden season, he played an unbeaten knock of 95 off 44 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the distinguished Wankhede Stadium. His innings came at a time when MI were required to chase down a total of 190 in just 14.4 overs to qualify for the playoffs. His breathtaking knock took Mumbai home by five wickets and he also got the Player of the Match award.

Anderson served MI until 2016 and in those three seasons, he played 16 games and piled up 379 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 136.33 with three half-centuries. After MI, he also played for DC and RCB in 2017 and 2018 respectively.  

7. Daniel Vettori 

Daniel Vettori was a vital stalwart of RCB from 2011 to 2018. He joined Bangalore as a skipper in 2011 and under his leadership, the team played an aggressive brand of cricket and ended the campaign as runners-up. In RCB’s impressive journey, he scalped 12 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 6.01, with the best bowling innings of 3/19 against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the playoffs.

Before serving RCB, he played for DC in the 2008 and 2010 editions of the league. For Delhi, he took four wickets in five matches. Discussing his overall IPL numbers as an all-rounder, he racked up 87 runs and 21 wickets in 27 matches. 

8. Mitchell Santner

The left-arm orthodox spinner Mitchell Santner has been playing for CSK since 2019. In these five years, he has grabbed 13 wickets for the Yellow Army in 15 matches at a frugal economy of 6.88. In his maiden appearance in 2019, he got four wickets in four games at an economy of 6.71.

In Chennai’s fifth title victory in 2023, he chipped in with three wickets in three matches at an economy of 6.75. With the veteran Ravindra Jadeja’s availability in the squad, CSK finds it difficult to induct Santner into their 11-member squad. However, the Kiwi stalwart kept the CSK team management’s trust in him intact whenever he got chance. 

9. Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McClenaghan played five seasons in IPL from 2014 to 2019. In his five-year career, he served MI only. Back in 2017, Mumbai became the first side in IPL to win three trophies and McClenaghan played a crucial role with the ball, scalping 19 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 9.38.

Pairing up with Jasprit Bumrah, he bolstered Mumbai’s pace attack efficiently. Their disciplined fast bowling was one of the biggest reasons for MI’s success. After the 2019 season, he hasn’t featured in IPL again. The 37-year-old took 71 wickets for Mumbai in 56 games at an economy of 8.49.

10. Trent Boult

Trent Boult. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Trent Boult has been a mainstay pacer for Rajasthan Royals (RR) since 2022. In the last two seasons, he looked spectacular with the ball. Appearing in 26 games for the Royals, the Kiwi speedster has picked up 29 wickets at an economy of 8.04. Before joining RR in 2022, the 34-year-old was associated with MI.

In MI’s last trophy win in 2020, he contributed 25 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 7.97. The veteran played his first IPL season back in 2015 for SRH and since then, he has clinched 105 wickets in 88 IPL matches at an economy of 8.29.

11. Tim Southee

<p>Tim Southee CSK. (Photo Source: MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)</p>

New Zealand veteran paceman Tim Southee debuted in 2011 for CSK. In his maiden season, he got five games and took four wickets at an economy of 8.73. After playing his debut season, he couldn’t feature in the league for two consecutive seasons (2012 and 2013). In 2014, he made a comeback in the tournament for Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Serving Royals for two seasons (2014 and 2015), he took six wickets in 10 games. In 2016, he became a part of MI after RR’s infamous two-year ban due to betting activities. For Mumbai, he scalped 12 wickets in 14 matches. From 2021 to 2023, he gave his services to KKR and took 19 wickets for the two-time champions in 14 games. In his massive IPL career, the Kiwi Test skipper has claimed 47 wickets in 54 contests at an economy of 8.67.