The 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) concluded its league campaign, with the Chennai Super Kings emerging as the five-time champions. Throughout the campaign, a lot of players stood up and seized the opportunities that were presented to them. After the IPL 2023 finals, we take a look at the league’s best XI.
#1 Shubhman Gill
Do we need to talk about Shubman Gill’s inclusion? The Orange Cap winner of the season has definitely lit up the IPL with the orange cap on his head, three centuries, and excellent batting. What has stuck out is his ability to produce under pressure and the ease with which he has consistently hit sixes.
Stats: Matches: 17, 890 runs with the strike rate of 157.80
#2 Yashasvi Jaiswal
Without a doubt, the breakout player of this IPL was the Rajasthan Royals’ left-hander, whose approach was refreshing. His ability to mix silky shots with forceful ones was particularly impressive. He is also the winner of the Emerging Player award this season.
Stats: Matches: 14, 625 runs with the strike rate of 163.61
#3 Faf Du Plessis (Captain)
The South African is improving with age, even in the race for the Orange Cap this season. If RCB had advanced to the final four, it would have been a close race between him and Gill. Faf started for RCB, but he is equally effective at No. 3. His ability to produce power while also acting as an anchor when needed made him a prominent player. It’s also tough to imagine anyone other than him as captain.
Stats: Matches: 14, 730 runs with the strike rate of 153.68
#4 Suryakumar Yadav
Virat Kohli has more runs than him, but Surya was outstanding in the middle order for the Mumbai Indians. His contributions were critical to MI’s turnaround and third-place finish in the competition.
Stats: Matches: 16, 605 runs with the strike rate of 181.13
#5 Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh’s five sixes in five balls against the Gujarat Titans was one of the IPL’s highlights this year. Rinku has demonstrated the ability to remain calm under pressure while unleashing the big shot when needed. Another guy who has the potential to become a key member of the Indian T20 squad in the coming years.
He is also one of our five best youngsters from the season.
Stats: Matches: 14, 474 runs with the strike rate of 149.52
#6 Nicholas Pooran (Wicketkeeper)
Since there haven’t been enough effective performances by batsmen who serve as wicketkeepers in this IPL. For the Lucknow Super Giants, Pooran scored a number of game-winning runs, and it is this capacity along with his tagline of six-machine for impact that maintains him ahead of Ishan Kishan.
Stats: Matches: 15, 358 runs with the strike rate of 172.94
#7 Rashid Khan
Almost every year since he began playing in the IPL, he has been a member of the top XI. The Gujarat Titans leggie took wickets, prevented runs in the middle overs, and demonstrated his talent with the bat through unorthodox batting. He is possibly the only allrounder who stood out in an era of ‘Impact’ subs.
Stats: Matches: 17, Wickets: 27, Economy Rate: 8.17
#8 Mohammed Shami
The leading wicket-taker of the tournament and another veteran who improves with age, he took wickets in the powerplay and also delivered in the death overs. He has been a captain’s dream, and there is no way to look beyond him as the spearhead.
Stats: Matches: 17, Wickets: 28, Economy Rate: 8.03
#9 Mohammed Siraj
When a team leaves early, sometimes their performances go unnoticed. Siraj may have taken fewer wickets than Tushar Deshpande, but it is his economy rate that distinguishes him as a stronger bowler. And Siraj has improved as a death bowler as well.
Stats: Matches:14 Wickets: 19, Economy Rate: 7.5
#10 Matheesha Pathirana
Lasith Malinga’s replacement, Matheesha Pathirana, has arrived. He joined the CSK team late and played only 11 games, but he had a huge influence. Dhoni brought him in after the first 10 overs in almost every game, and the Lankan slinger stood out with his yorkers and brilliant change of pace.
Stats: Matches:12 Wickets: 19, Economy Rate: 8.00
#11 Yuzvendra Chahal
Without a doubt, the best Indian spinner in this IPL. Other than Rashid, he is likely the only spinner who can bowl at the death. His deft variations, tremendous heart, and ability to take wickets were crucial once again for the Rajasthan Royals.
Stats: Matches:14 Wickets: 21, Economy Rate: 8.1