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IPL teams of the tournament

Aussie duo select the best of the best after another thrilling edition of the Indian Premier League

With the IPL approaching its climax, two Southern Stars champions and commentators Mel Jones and Lisa Sthalekar pick their respective teams of the tournament

Mel Jones' team

1. Rohit Sharma (MI). 489 runs, ave 44.45, SR 132.88, 5x50s

Mr Cool and Consistent at the top of the order.

2. David Warner (SRH). 686 runs, ave 52.76, SR 147.84, 7x50s

Backed up last year's IPL with another record-breaking batting performance. Kept SRH in the game on numerous occasions due to dominant innings.

WATCH: Warner's fifty sets a new IPL benchmark

3. Virat Kohli (RCB). 919 runs, ave 83.4, SR 151.90, 4x100s, 6x50s

Stephen Curry style form! Enough said.

4. AB de Villiers (RCB). 682 runs, ave 52.76, SR 170.06, 1x100, 6x50s

Every game he plays, AB is rewriting the batting and fielding coaching manuals.

WATCH: ABdV masterclass fires Bangalore into IPL final

5. Yusuf Pathan (KKR). 361 runs, ave 72.20, SR 145.56, 3x50s

Changed games in the blink of eye and most impressively did this on numerous occasions when KKR were in trouble.

6. Shane Watson (RCB). 20 wickets, ave 21.20, econ 8.07, 168 runs, ave 14, SR 134.40

One scalp away from wearing the Purple Cap for the most wickets, part of one of the best outfield catches this IPL and still an inspiration at 34.

WATCH: Watson's IPL purple patch with the ball

7. Krunal Pandya (MI). 237 runs, ave 39.50, SR 191.20, 1x50. Six wickets, ave 39.33, econ 7.57

One of the finds of this IPL with his left-arm orthodox spin and power hitting.

8. Naman Ojha (SRH, wk) 119 runs, ave 14.87, SR 94.44, 18 catches

Yes, Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul had outstanding tournaments with the bat however Ojha's glovework gets him in with 18 dismissals.

9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) 21 wickets, ave 20.85, econ 7.55

Led the Sunrisers seam attack with quality pace and swing, and currently stands as the IPL's Purple Cap wearer.

10. Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB). 20 wickets, ave 18.30, econ 8.1

A slow start for the leggie but finished with a bang and was a big part of RCB's resurgence.

11. Mustafizur Rahman (SRH). 16 wickets, ave 24, econ 6.73

Provided the most amount of bowling excitement in IPL 2016. A miserly economy rate, and blessed with pace, movement and a killer yorker. 

Emerging Player: Adam Zampa (RPS). 12 wickets, ave 9.58, econ 6.76

Look out IPL 2017! Zampa stole the show this year with his amazing 6-19 but he'll be even better next time around.

WATCH: Zampa's star rises with record haul

Coach: Brad Hodge (GL)

He's a first year coach, with a completely new franchise and a team to mould and develop, and he led them to the finals. Impressive stuff.

Lisa Sthalekar's team

1. Rohit Sharma (MI). 489 runs, ave 44.45, SR 132.88, 5x50s

While others have scored similar runs, his ability to score when the team needs means he gets the nod for me.

2. David Warner (SRH). 686 runs, ave 52.76, SR 147.84, 7x50s

The Australia vice-captain has had an exceptional tournament and always scores at an impressive rate.

3. Virat Kohli (RCB). 919 runs, ave 83.4, SR 151.90, 4x100s, 6x50s.

Is in such a rich vein of form. I've dropped him down to three here as I think that is better for the balance of this side.

WATCH: Kohli a class above in 2016 IPL

4. AB de Villiers (RCB). 682 runs, ave 52.76, SR 170.06, 1x100, 6x50s

He is a freak when it comes to batting in all forms. His ability to score runs 360 degrees and at the rate that he does is so impressive (170.07).

5. Krunal Pandya (MI). 237 runs, ave 39.50, SR 191.20, 1x50. Six wickets, ave 39.33, econ 7.57

The newcomer, will provide left-arm spin and his strike-rate under pressure with the bat is remarkable.

6. Yusuf Pathan (KKR). 361 runs, ave 72.20, SR 145.56, 3x50s

Has had a good season where he has won a number of games, with his power and being able to finish off an innings.

7. Andre Russell (KKR). 15 wickets, ave 19.40, econ 7.97. 188 runs, ave 26.85, SR 39no

The perfect T20 package, he bowls at 140-plus kph, strikes the ball at 164 and fields brilliantly – a combination that makes him a genuine allrounder.

8. MS Dhoni (RPS) (c, wk). 284 runs, ave 40.57, 1x50, eight catches, four stumpings

Captain because of his experience and ability to keep his cool under pressure. As shown in his last game, Dhoni can still win a game chasing no matter what the situation.

WATCH: Dhoni magic blasts Pune to victory

9. Mitchell McClenaghan (MI). 17 wickets, ave 25.64, econ 8.17

Depending on the conditions of the wicket, McClenaghan and Rahman (12th man) are interchangeable. The Kiwis quick has bowled with real pace and a venom that has made batsmen very uncomfortable. 

10. Amit Mishra (DD). 13 wickets, ave 26.46, econ 7.47

All sides need a leg-spinner and while I would've loved to select Adam Zampa, I have used all my overseas players. Mishra has not only picked up a lot of wickets, he has also kept the runs down.

11. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH). 21 wickets, ave 20.85, econ 7.55

His ability to swing the ball at the top and hit his yorkers with ease means he is the perfect pace bowler for the shortest format.

12th man. Mustafizur Rahman (SRH). 16 wickets, ave 24, econ 6.73

His slower delivery is so difficult to pick that the whole cricketing world is talking about it. Then add the fact that he delivers the ball over 135kph at pinpoint accuracy – it's what every captain wants. His Australian teammates - David Warner and Moises Henriques - both had great things to say about Bangladeshi's "little genius".