Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Sunday selected as the leader of IPL’s all-time greatest team which was picked to celebrate the success of world’s most-popular T20 league, The IPL was launched in 2008.

The selection panel consisted of former cricketers Wasim Akram, Matthew Hayden, Tom Moody and Dale Steyn. Around 70 journalists were also part of the selection process.

Speaking on the Star Sports Incredible 16 of IPL show, former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn echoed sentiments shared by many when he hailed Dhoni as the epitome of leadership excellence.

“It has to be MS Dhoni. He has won everything — World Cup, IPL, ICC Champions Trophy,” said Steyn.

“He’s a leader, and you’ve got a bunch of men here who are all at the highest level of their game, and they need someone who has been there and done that and can manage them extremely well on and off the field, so I will have to go with MS Dhoni,” he said.

Australia’s fiery David Warner and India’s batting mainstay Virat Kohli were chosen as openers while Chris Gayle was given the No. 3 spot in the batting order.

The middle order consisted of Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, Suryakumar Yadav and Dhoni, while Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Kieron Pollard were the three all-rounders in the 15-member squad.

Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine and Yuzvendra Chahal formed the spin attack while Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah were the unanimous choices for the fast bowlers’ slots.

The marquee tournament will complete 16 years of the first-ever IPL auction on February 20, 2024.

In the realm of IPL cricket, few names shine as brightly as that of Dhoni.

Widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in cricket history, his leadership prowess has garnered praise from peers and pundits alike.