Former Delhi Capitals mentor Kevin Pietersen selected the best XI from the IPL franchises. He chose MS Dhoni as the captain of the team and also selected most of the stars of RCB and CSK in the team.
The IPL has been one of the most decorated franchise leagues in the world for over two decades. Entering its 19th edition, former player-turned-mentor Kevin Pietersen picked the best XI from the IPL to create a Dream XI.
Pietersen himself played for franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils and then later teamed up with Delhi Capitals as a mentor in IPL 2025.
Kevin Pietersen selects XI on ‘For the Love of Cricket’ YT channel
The former Delhi Capitals mentor chose former RCB player Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli as the two opening batsmen in the team. Both of them had given memorable performances in the IPL recently and there were a total of nine century partnerships between them.
He then chose former RCB legend AB de Villiers and CSK legend Suresh Raina as the two players who could alternate between the top order and the middle order. Both these players scored 5000+ runs in the middle order in the history of IPL.
He then selected five-time champion CSK captain MS Dhoni as the captain and wicketkeeper in the team and then the all-rounder walked on deck. He chose Andre Russell, Ravindra Jadeja and Sunil Narine as his three all-rounders.
Finally, in the bowling deck, he chose two MI greats Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah and leading IPL wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal as the main spinner for his side.
Kevin Pietersen’s Dream XI: Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Andre Russell, Ravindra Jadeja, Sunil Narine, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah.
Pietersen left out Rohit Sharma, Jos Buttler and David Warner from all-time playing eleven.
Kevin Pietersen ignored former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who led them to five IPL titles. The experienced star is the third-highest run-scorer in the IPL and has scored a number of runs over the years, highlighting his impact in the IPL.
On the other hand, England’s Jos Buttler also played several seasons successfully with the bat. Buttler has been one of Kohli’s closest rivals for his unique IPL record. Buttler will play for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming season.
David Warner was another big name who was also dropped from the English team. This probably happened because he could not keep Chris Gayle out of the team; Otherwise, Warner remains the most successful overseas player in the history of the IPL.
Kevin Pietersen talks about neglecting DC batsman KL Rahul
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen decided not to select KL Rahul in the playing eleven as he did not get support in the top order or even the middle order. He emphasized that the batsman was more ideal for the opening position; However, this had already been approved by two legends of T20 cricket.
Even when he mentored Delhi Capitals in 2025, he revealed that he had fought hard to get Rahul back at the top of the order. He said in the same video:
“We struggled a lot to get him into the top order last season. He did it and scored a century in the next game. I said, ‘Maybe you should listen.’
However, the England great resigned from his role ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The season starts on 28 March.
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