The IPL 2015's support staff XI

The first choice is a no brainer, right? Sachin Tendulkar walks into most dream teams and given how much success he had as a player for Mumbai Indians, let's pencil him in straight away.

But who should partner Tendulkar? Delhi Daredevils coach Gary Kirsten would make it a left-right combination, but the former South African opener was more solid than sublime. Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman had limited success with Deccan Chargers in the role, and Mumbai's head coach Ricky Ponting did not have even that when he opened for the franchise. Let's give it to the man who did everything asked of him when he played - Rajasthan Royals mentor Rahul Dravid. He can take on the new ball, shepherd the innings, and let Tendulkar bat freely. He could keep wicket as well. And Tendulkar-Dravid at the top is a box-office hit.

Four slots to fill. Jacques Kallis was a force in every format so the Kolkata Knight Riders batting mentor walks into this team. He can be relied on to bowl four overs and his bucket hands at slip make him the complete package. Ponting doesn't have a great T20 record but in his pomp he rivaled the best in all cricket, so he slots in at No. 4. Who bats at five? Laxman? Or Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming? To break the monotony of four right-hand batsmen, the former New Zealand captain gets the nod. The No. 6 needs to be someone who can bat with urgency - who better than Mumbai's fielding consultant Jonty Rhodes? His electricity in the field is a bonus.

The No 7 - a batting allrounder who can cover for a frontline bowler having an off day. Sunrisers coach Tom Moody was a one-day specialist who could hit a long ball. Robin Singh, assistant coach with Mumbai, is another contender - a swift runner and an alert fielder. Kings XI head coach Sanjay Bangar could adapt his game to the occasion. Moody pips the other two for the spot.

There is serious pedigree to fill two slots - KKR's bowling coach Wasim Akram, RCB's Allan Donald and Mumbai's Shane Bond. CSK's Andy Bichel was a useful bowler but can't make the cut ahead of the other three. Akram is a shoo-in - the greatest left-arm fast bowler ever. Bond or Donald for the other slot? The South African was great but Bond edges him out with his ability to deliver searing yorkers.

Again three compelling men to pick from to fill two places: RCB head coach Daniel Vettori, Mumbai chief mentor Anil Kumble and Sunrisers bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan. All three have the ability to strike and and stay frugal while doing so. All three have career T20 economy rates of less than 7. Whom to pick? Vettori and Murali over Kumble by thin margins, because both of them have greater T20 experience.

The last task is to pick a captain for this team. Fleming, Dravid, Vettori and Akram have merit, but the XI includes a two-time World Cup winning captain. Ponting walks out to toss.