Ahead of IPL 2017, record-breaker Ben Stokes picks his "Dream XI"

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Bengaluru, April 5: England all-rounder Ben Stokes is geared up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. Ahead of the Twenty20 tournament, the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) player picked his "Dream XI".

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Stokes, who was bought by Pune at a record price of Rs 14.5 crore for a overseas player, described how his perfect cricket team would be, featuring legends of the game from both the past and the present.

IPL 2017 starts today (April 5) today in Hyderabad. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) play in the opening contest.

Here is Stokes picking his "Best XI" and describing each player in his own words

1. Virender Sehwag (India)

"I'd have Sehwag as one of my openers. I reckon he averaged about 50 in his career (49.34), and his strike rate was probably in the 80s (82.23). To have that as an opening batsman in Test match cricket if you were an opening bowler would be pretty scary, I reckon."

2. Alastair Cook (England)

"He's scored 10,000 runs and he performs all over the world. He's Mr Reliable, so he'd be my other opener. He'd captain the team as well."

3. Hashim Amla (South Africa)

"Number three would be Amla. His record in all forms is amazing - he's the best batsman I've ever bowled at in my career."

4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

"He made fast bowlers look medium pace when he was at the crease. He pulled them in front of square, behind square, for six, and he was just a tough nut. I remember when he got hit by Harmy (Steve Harmison) in the grille. It cut his face and he just got on with it. I love seeing that."

5. Sachin Tendulkar - India

"It's got to be Sachin, got to be. I don't think I need to explain why. Ricky and Sachin could swap between four and five, and they can have a fight to see who goes in - whichever one's got their pads on."

6. Sir Garfield Sobers - West Indies

"I would have Garfield Sobers - you've got to have someone from the Stone Ages in there, don't you? He could do everything: bat, bowl all sorts of different balls, even bowl with his other arm, I've heard - so, well done mate!"

7. Adam Gilchrist - Australia

"An obvious choice! He averaged 50 in tests, and God knows how many dismissals he's had, so Gilchrist is my keeper."

8. Shane Warne - Australia

"Shane Warne's my spinner, and he can come down and make a few runs when I need him to as well. 700 wickets, a few decent runs down the order and a great slip fielder, so he can slot in at number eight."

9. Dale Steyn - South Africa

"That Dale Steyn bloke - he's alright, isn't he?"

10. Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)

"It's got to be one of the West Indians. I'm torn between Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, but I'll choose Ambrose, because he's tall and would scare people, I reckon. He was quite a decent bowler as well."

11. Jimmy Anderson (England)

"The best bowler I've ever seen live, if you know what I mean, when I've been standing at gully or slip. He just makes batsmen look silly, even the best players in the world."

Note: The "Dream XI" was unveiled by Stokes, who is a "Red Bull" athlete, in a press release sent by "Red Bull" today (April 5).

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