Revisiting the best matches from IPL over the years

Revisiting the best matches from IPL over the years

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been one of the most exciting and entertaining T20 cricket leagues in the world since its inception in 2008. Over the years, the tournament has produced some of the most memorable matches in cricketing history, where fans witnessed nail-biting finishes, outstanding individual performances, and incredible comebacks. As the IPL continues to gain popularity around the globe, it is worth revisiting some of the best matches that have made the league what it is today. 

The IPL has grown into a massive sporting event that attracts a global audience and some of the best cricketers from around the world. The tournament has not only provided a platform for domestic Indian players to showcase their talent, but it has also given international players a chance to compete at the highest level and hone their skills. 

As the IPL enters its 15th season, fans eagerly await another action-packed season with high expectations for more unforgettable moments. However, it’s always a good idea to look back and remember some of the greatest moments in IPL history. From the first-ever match in 2008 to the 2020 final, the league has produced several games that have captured the imagination of fans across the world. 

Whether it’s the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s nail-biting victory against the Rajasthan Royals in 2014 or the Mumbai Indians’ remarkable turnaround in the 2019 final against the Chennai Super Kings, the IPL has provided cricket fans with some truly remarkable moments that will be etched in their memories forever. 

In this article, we will take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most thrilling IPL matches that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. 

Revisiting the best IPL matches over the years.

KKR vs RCB – KKR won by 140 Runs (2008) 

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 1st season of the IPL on April 18, 2008, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. KKR won the toss and elected to bat first, putting up a massive total of 222 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Brendon McCullum played a breathtaking knock of 158* off just 73 balls, which included 13 fours and 10 sixes. 

IPL: The first ever happenings of Kolkata Knight Riders in the league

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In response, the RCB side was bundled out for just 82 runs in 15.1 overs, handing KKR a massive victory by 140 runs, which is still the biggest win in IPL history in terms of runs. Ashok Dinda was the pick of the KKR bowlers, taking 4 wickets for just 18 runs in his 3.1 overs. 

The KKR vs RCB match in 2008 was a historic game that set the tone for the inaugural season of the IPL. Brendon McCullum’s innings was a masterclass in power hitting, and it was the first time that fans witnessed the true potential of T20 cricket. The game also highlighted the importance of team strategy and individual performances’ impact on a match’s outcome. The victory was a significant boost for KKR and set the foundation for their success in the years to come.

KXIP vs CSK, Super Kings won by 6 wickets (2010) 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni had cemented his status as a crucial player in T20 cricket by 2010, earning the moniker “finisher” for his ability to close out games. A match in Dharamshala during that season only served to reinforce this label, as it was a must-win game for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to advance to the semi-finals of the IPL. The Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) had set a formidable target of 192/3, and it was up to CSK’s batsmen to chase it down. Dhoni led the way with a masterful display of finishing skills, helping CSK secure a crucial victory and a spot in the semi-finals. 

5 Unknown facts about MS Dhoni's IPL career

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Despite a challenging target set by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) struggled early on in their innings, with a score of 27/2 after 4 overs. The odds seemed to be against the CSK side, and victory appeared to be slipping away. However, the match went down to the wire, with CSK needing 16 runs off the final over, which was to be bowled by Irfan Pathan. Despite the pressure, MS Dhoni, with his finishing skills, only needed four deliveries to secure the win, making it one of the most exciting matches in IPL history. 

MI vs KKR, MI won by 5 wickets (2011) 

The 70th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2011, featuring Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, is often regarded as one of the most memorable games in the tournament’s history. Kolkata Knight Riders batted first and set a challenging target of 175 runs in their allotted 20 overs, albeit losing 7 wickets in the process. However, Mumbai Indians put up a valiant effort and successfully chased down the target with 5 wickets in hand, clinching the victory in the final over of the match. 

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During the game’s closing stages, many believed that Mumbai Indians would not be able to pull off a win, as they needed to score 40 runs in just 2.3 overs. However, James Franklin took charge of the situation and led the team’s charge toward victory. In an incredible batting display, he hit four consecutive boundaries off Lakshmipathy Balaji in the final over, propelling Mumbai Indians to a memorable triumph. This stunning performance by Franklin turned the tide of the match and left the spectators in awe. 

The game was filled with thrilling moments, including some outstanding performances from players on both teams. The match left a lasting impression on cricket fans and pundits alike, showcasing the excitement and competitiveness that the IPL is known for. 

MI vs RR, Mumbai won by 5 wickets (2014) 

The Wankhede Stadium witnessed another nail-biting encounter involving Mumbai Indians (MI) in their backyard. MI and Rajasthan Royals were both in need of a victory to secure a place in the playoffs. However, MI was under added pressure as they needed to win by a significant margin.

Following the norm of the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to chase the opposition’s score. Despite a valiant effort from the Rajasthan Royals, including fantastic half-centuries from Sanju Samson (74 off 47) and Karun Nair (50 off 27), they set a daunting target of 189-4 for MI to chase down. The task appeared even more challenging for Rohit Sharma’s team, as they had to achieve the target in just 14.3 overs to advance in the tournament. 

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After the early dismissals of their star players Keiron Pollard and captain Rohit Sharma within the first 10 overs, Mumbai Indians appeared to be on the brink of an early exit. However, MI found a new hero in the form of New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who played brilliant innings of 95 runs off just 44 balls. Anderson’s explosive knock included nine sixes and six boundaries, and it turned the game on its head. 

The atmosphere was electric as the match between two fierce rivals unfolded. The tension heightened when Rayudu was run out on the third ball of the 15th over, leaving many of the home team’s supporters feeling disheartened about their chances of winning. However, after a lengthy discussion between the umpires both on and off the field, they decided that a boundary could still improve the home team’s net run rate (NRR) enough to secure their qualification. 

As the game continued, the excitement in the stadium grew with each passing moment. The crowd erupted as James Faulkner charged in to deliver a waist-high full toss on the leg stump to Aditya Tare. The batsman did not disappoint as he sent the ball sailing over the boundary ropes, much to the delight of the home fans. It was a truly unforgettable night for the supporters as their team emerged victorious in a jittery match. 

RCB vs PWI, RCB won by 130 runs (2013) 

One cannot create a list of the greatest matches in IPL history without mentioning the thrilling encounter that took place on April 23, 2013. Representing RCB, the left-handed batsman Chris Gayle performed remarkably by decimating the bowling attack of Pune Warriors, amassing a colossal score of 175* in just 66 balls. 

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Chris Gayle’s knock in the match against PWI is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual performances in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gayle’s destructive knock, which was played against the Pune Warriors, included 13 fours and 17 sixes, which helped RCB to post an imposing total of 263 runs for the loss of just five wickets. During his innings, Gayle broke several records, including the record for the highest individual score in a T20 match, surpassing the previous best of 158* by Brendon McCullum. He also became the first batsman to score a century in the IPL that year. 

Gayle’s innings was characterized by his explosive hitting and his ability to take the attack to the opposition bowlers from the outset. The southpaw dominated the Pune Warriors bowlers right from the start and never allowed them to settle into any kind of rhythm. His batting display was not just limited to raw power hitting but also included some deft touches and smart placement of the ball to find gaps in the field.

The match was one-sided, as RCB went on to win by a massive margin of 130 runs, which remains one of the largest victories in the history of the IPL. Chris Gayle’s innings in this match will always be remembered as one of the most explosive and thrilling displays of power-hitting ever seen in T20 cricket. 

RCB vs CSK, Super Kings won by 5 wickets (2018) 

Fans of both teams eagerly anticipate the fierce rivalry that has grown between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) over the years. However, due to a ban imposed on CSK in 2016 and 2017, the rivalry was suspended for two years. 

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were eyeing a strong comeback in the 2018 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and their potential was justified in the high-scoring match at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. The South African duo of Quinton de Kock (53 off 37) and AB de Villiers (68 off 30) put up an impressive performance, helping Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) post a competitive score of 205-8. However, given the small ground and lightning-fast outfield, the total was not necessarily winning. 

When RCB rejected to pick MS Dhoni for a strange reason in 2008 IPL Auction - CricEarth

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After losing early wickets, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) found themselves in a difficult position at 74-4 in the 10th over. However, their fans remained hopeful, knowing that as long as their captain was in the wings, the match was far from over. The composed and level-headed MS Dhoni came to partner with the in-form Ambati Rayudu. The duo executed a perfectly calculated chase, with Rayudu scoring a brilliant 82 off 53 balls. The skipper, with the assistance of Rayudu, took the game deep and eventually secured victory with just 2 balls to spare. 

MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 70 off 34 balls in the match once again demonstrated his exceptional ability to finish games, cementing his status as one of the best in the business. With this stunning display, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) proved that they were well and truly back in the league. 

MI vs PBKS, MATCH TIED (KINGS XI PUNJAB WON ON THE SECOND SUPER OVER) (2020) 

October 18, 2020, will be remembered as a historic day in the Indian Premier League, as not one, not two, but three Super Overs were played, giving cricket fans an unforgettable experience. The first Super Over between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad was a nail-biting affair, resulting in Kolkata Knight Riders emerging victorious. The excitement didn’t end there, as a second thrilling match ensued a few hours later – a double Super Over. 

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The first Super Over between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians ended in a tie, leading to a second Super Over, where Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal’s heroics helped their team secure a thrilling victory. This unforgettable day in IPL history provided fans with an abundance of entertainment, with each match being filled with unpredictability and excitement.

The cricket match between MI and PBKS at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium turned out to be one of the most thrilling encounters in the history of the Indian Premier League. This match marked the first instance in IPL history when a game went into two Super Overs. 

Winning the toss, Mumbai Indians elected to bat first, but they found it difficult to build momentum, as they could only post a total of 176 runs, losing six wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Kieron Pollard was the top-scorer for MI, contributing 34 runs off just 12 deliveries. However, Mohammed Shami stood out with the ball for PBKS, finishing with impressive figures of 2 wickets for 30 runs in his four overs. 

PBKS faced a challenging situation as they were struggling at 87/3 after 11 overs in their chase, but an outstanding inning of 77 runs off 59 balls from their captain KL Rahul revived their hopes of winning the match. However, despite their valiant efforts, PBKS required two runs to clinch the game off the last ball but could only score a single run, leading to the first Super Over of the match. 

During the first Super Over, Mumbai Indians put up a modest total of 5 runs, courtesy of Mohammad Shami’s brilliant bowling. In reply, Kings XI Punjab also managed to score 5 runs, resulting in the match going into the second Super Over. In the second Super Over, Mumbai Indians posted a total of 11 runs which the Punjab Kings successfully chased.

Wow. Such amazing matches have been played in the IPL over the course of 15 years. Will we get to see another iconic match in this edition? Comment down your answers and let us know your favorite IPL match.

IPL 2023: Rating all the 10 teams based on their squads

IPL 2023: Rating all the 10 teams based on their squads

Teams went all out during the IPL 2023 auction to assemble a competitive lineup to strive for the best results in the tournament. Some teams succeeded, and some fell short of their targets in this auction. During the IPL 2023 auction, teams were able to acquire 87 players in total, with 80 of them being taken up by franchises and the remaining seven being left unclaimed. Sam Curran, Cameron Green, and Ben Stokes were the most expensive acquisitions in the event, with all three of them commanding high prices. 

During the IPL 2023 auction, teams had to carefully consider their strategies to obtain the players they wanted and build up a strong squad. Some teams were ultimately successful and reaped the rewards of careful planning, while others did not meet their expectations. The teams in the IPL are ranked according to their overall player ratings. 

To calculate these rankings, the benchmark players in each category – such as openers, middle order, finishers, all-rounders, pacers, and spinners – are used to compare individual players against them. Additionally, each player is also given a rating based on their performance from the previous three years in the IPL and their current domestic or international form. 

Here we rate all the 10 IPL teams based on their final squads: 

Lucknow Super Giants (5/10) 

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The Lucknow outfit had its second appearance in the auction this year after having a successful run in the previous edition of the profitable tournament. The top order of the franchise was the main source of runs, but the lack of spark in the middle order prevented them from gaining an advantage by scoring big. 

Looking ahead to the new season, the management acquired players from the auction who they believed had the potential to make an impact and lead them to success in the upcoming season. By adding Nicholas Pooran to their squad at the auction for INR 16 crores, the franchise has seemingly improved its chances of success in the upcoming season. However, Lucknow Super Giants is not a match for the other teams this season and which is why they are placed 10th on the list. 

During the auction, the Lucknow outfit signed veteran Amit Mishra at his base price of INR 50 Lakh and roped in experienced pacer Jaydev Unadkat to add a veteran presence to the team. They expect their experience to help them have a successful season. The experienced duo of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock will be a great asset to the Lucknow franchise, giving them a much-needed advantage in the 2023 season. 

Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Krunal Pandya performed well in their bowling options, and Mark Wood’s availability will also help them. The middle order, though, lacked consistency and strength for the club. For example, Ayush Badoni and Marcus Stoinis lacked the consistency needed to give LSG a strong flair. 

Lucknow Super Giants Full Squad: 

KL Rahul, Ayush Badoni, Karan Sharma, Manan Vohra, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Krishnappa Gowtham, Deepak Hooda, Kyle Mayers, Krunal Pandya, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Mark Wood, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Nicholas Pooran, Jaydev Unadkat, Yash Thakur, Romario Shepherd, Daniel Sams, Amit Mishra, Prerak Mankad, Swapnil Singh, Naveen ul Haq, Yudhvir Charak

Punjab Kings (5/10) 

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At the IPL 2023 mini-auction, the Punjab Kings made history by signing English all-rounder Sam Curran for a record INR 18.50 crore – making him the most expensive player in IPL history. After the bidding had climbed above INR 11 crore, the Punjab Kings swooped in and won the bid against Mumbai Indians with their final offer. 

As anticipated, the Punjab Kings made the first bid for their former captain Mayank Agarwal but were outmatched in the bidding war by the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nonetheless, they managed to acquire star Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza at his base price of INR 50 lakh. PBKS also showed strong interest in uncapped pacer Mukesh Kumar but unfortunately lost out to Delhi Capitals, who successfully bagged him for INR 5.5 crore. 

Going into the IPL 2023 auction, the Punjab Kings had a purse of INR 32.2 crore – the second highest amongst all teams – after letting go of nine players, including their captain Mayank Agarwal. Before the auction, they had 16 players on their roster, five of which were overseas cricketers. They also released Caribbean all-rounder Odean Smith and needed direct replacements for both Mayank and Odean. 

Unfortunately, the Punjab Kings had a disappointing mini-auction, resulting in them standing at the 9th spot on this list. They do not have any backups for Arshdeep Singh or a quality replacement for Rahul Chahar, who did not meet expectations in the last season. 

Even though the Punjab Kings splashed a record amount of 18.5 Crore on Sam Curran, their other bids were not quite enough to fill out the gaps present in the team to fulfill those voids. Nevertheless, PBKS made a good signing in the name of youngster Vidwath Kaverappa who had a fantastic performance in the 2022 domestic season. 

Punjab Kings Full Squad: 

Arshdeep Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Liam Livingstone, Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Baltej Dhanda, Nathan Ellis, Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohit Rathe, Shivam Singh 

Royal Challengers Bangalore (6/10) 

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The team led by Faf du Plessis was successful in securing a playoff spot in the IPL 2022. But, due to inconsistencies in all departments, they were unsuccessful in the Eliminator. Yet, for the 2023 season, management also had faith in most of the players. 

Only two prominent franchise picks were available on the auction table. Royal Challengers Bangalore made wise acquisitions in English bowler Reece Topley and batsman Will Jacks. On the other hand, the other five picks have never participated in the IPL and are more likely to serve as bench warmers. 

Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj were a little odd in the previous season, but Josh Hazlewood and Wanindu Hasaranga impressed. RCB should have searched for someone like Manish Pandey to bolster their batting at number five. Mahipal Lomror appears to be set to bat in that position as of right now. 

The Bangalore-based team, which has one of cricket’s most devoted fan following, entered the auction with a purse worth 8.75 crores. While other well-known teams, including Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, made headlines for their high-profile purchases of Ben Stokes and Cameron Green, respectively, RCB was rather quiet during the earlier rounds of the auction. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore Full Squad: 

Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj, Faf Du Plessis, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmad, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudessai, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, David Willey, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Will Jacks, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (6.5/10) 

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Before the auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad released a significant number of players to assemble a balanced squad ahead of the 2023 season. While they already had a strong bowling lineup, they needed to add great batsmen and fast-bowling all-rounders in particular. The franchise entered the mini-auction with the most money in the bank, INR 42.25 crore, of any of the teams. 

The Sunrisers and Rajasthan Royals engaged in a tense bidding war for the young English batter, Harry Brook. In the end, the Sunrisers emerged victorious and secured Brook for a whopping INR 13.25 Crores – making him their most expensive player to date and the most expensive specialist batter ever sold at a mini-auction, surpassing Shimron Hetmyer (INR 7.75 crore by Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2020 season). 

The three players in the starting eleven who have demonstrated their abilities are Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, and T Natarajan. SRH is a contender for the trophy, thanks to the addition of Aiden Markram, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tripathi, and Abhishek Sharma. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad Full Squad: 

Abdul Samad, Umran Malik, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tripathi, Abhishek Sharma, Kartik Tyagi, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal, Heinrich Klaasen, Adil Rashid, Mayank Markande, Vivrant Sharma, Samarth Vyas, Sanvir Singh, Upendra Singh Yadav, Mayank Dagar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akeal Hosein, Anmolpreet Singh 

Kolkata Knight Riders (7/10) 

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Kolkata Knight Riders have managed to gather a decent side, but the possible exemption of skipper Shreyas Iyer from IPL 2023 puts them on the back foot. However, we are yet to know the gravity of Shreyas Iyer’s injury. Iyer was ruled out of India’s 3rd Test match and also from their ODI series against Australia. 

Kolkata Knight Riders must reassemble the batting order from scratch after releasing a large number of top and middle-order batters. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, N Jagadeeshan, and Litton Das are three excellent top-order alternatives for the team for IPL 2023. Nitish Rana and Shreyas Iyer also give the squad solidity. 

KKR also has seasoned all-rounders like David Wiese, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell, who may be replaced similarly. Moreover, the bowling unit’s Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, and Tim Southee are excellent choices on the Eden Gardens ground.

Before heading to the 2023 mini-auction, KKR had 11 player slots (eight Indian and three overseas players) with a purse of INR 7.05 crore. The team had released most of their players beforehand, including Pat Cummins (who made himself unavailable to focus on national duties), Sam Billings (backed out from the auction), Aman Khan, Shivam Mavi, Mohammad Nabi, Chamika Karunaratne, Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Abhijeet Tomar, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Sharma, Baba Indrajith, Pratham Singh, Ramesh Kumar, Rasikh Salam, and Sheldon Jackson. 

Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad: 

Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Narayan Jagadeesan, Vaibhav Arora, Suyash Sharma, David Weise, Kulwant Khejrolia, Mandeep Singh, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan. 

Delhi Capitals (7.5/10) 

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Despite being led by Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals were unable to make it to the playoffs of IPL 2022 due to their subpar bowling and lack of closing-out games. However, Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, and Rovman Powell did their part in the batting department. Unfortunately, Rishabh Pant could not convert his starts into big innings, which hindered the team’s ability to win in close matches. 

The exception of Rishabh Pant from the Delhi Capital’s squad due to his recent accident has dented the side’s motivation even before entering the IPL 2023 season. To make matters worse, Delhi Capitals traded Shardul Thakur to Kolkata and were unable to find a suitable replacement for him at the auction. They were successful in getting Rilee Rossouw and Phil Salt to fill in for the injured Mitchell Marsh. But they are missing a potent all-round pace bowler of quality and an explosive Indian hitter in the middle of the order. Ishant Sharma, a seasoned Indian pacer and native of Delhi, joined the team after being acquired by the team for INR 50 Lakh. 

Delhi Capitals Full Squad: 

Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Chetan Sakariya, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Yash Dhull, Rovman Powell, Pravin Dubey, Lungi Ngidi, Vicky Ostwal, Aman Khan, Phil Salt, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Manish Pandey, Rilee Rossouw

Gujarat Titans (8/10) 

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Because of their confidence and momentum, Gujarat Titans managed to clinch the IPL 2022 title in their first attempt. A huge part of their glory goes to their all-around efforts. Hardik Pandya, the captain, took the initiative while the bowlers and batsmen executed their roles flawlessly. 

Pandya and David Miller usually carried the team, contributing strongly to their performances. Nevertheless, finding a reliable middle-order batsman was a struggle for them, and without Pandya in a few matches, they had trouble maintaining the required pace at crucial points in the game. Kane Williamson is a reasonable investment, given his experience, but the Kiwi batsman is out of form and is questionable for the starting XI. They did well to obtain Joshua Little and Shivam Mavi, who are both performing well this year. 

The IPL 2023 mini-auction was held in Kochi on Friday, December 23, and the Gujarat Titans, the defending champions, had the plan to strengthen an already formidable team by adding more depth. In the months before this event, they had swapped veteran New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson and Afghan stumper Rahmanullah Gurbaz to the Kolkata Knight Riders. Along with Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Hardik Pandya-led team parted ways with players including Dominic Drakes, Gurkeerat Singh, Jason Roy, and Varun Aaron before the IPL 2023 auction. 

Gujarat Titans Full Squad: 

Hardik Pandya (C), Shubman Gill, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Sai Sudharsan, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Pradeep Sangwan, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav, R Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Kane Williamson, Odean Smith, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma 

Chennai Super Kings (8/10) 

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The highly popular MS Dhoni-led franchise managed to acquire England’s red-ball captain Ben Stokes at the auction. Stokes is renowned for being a one-man army, having helped England to victory in the T20 World Cup final. Also, if Deepak Chahar remains injury-free, and with the return of inform Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the competition, CSK is likely to be one of the best performers in IPL 2023. 

Chennai Super Kings have top-tier players in the name of Moeen Ali, Devon Conway, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni, the tournament’s tried-and-true players, will make up the middle order. Yet, if they want to reach the playoffs for the 12th time, they will require consistent performances from their talented team. 

It surprised everyone when CSK went all out for Stokes when everyone thought they would go for Sam Curran to get him back into their squad. With a budget of INR 20.45 crore and seven slots to fill, including two abroad slots, CSK entered the auction. CSK made some unexpected purchases at the IPL 2023 auction and went all-in on Stokes. 

MS Dhoni and Ben Stokes previously played for the Rising Pune Supergiant. Stokes’ participation will do wonders for CSK now that Dwayne Bravo has announced his retirement from the IPL. They also brought Ajinkya Rahane, who displayed impressive performances while playing for KKR last year. It was a very strategic move to add Rahane to the team when Robin Uthappa left the situation. 

Chennai Super Kings Full Squad: 

MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Mahesh Theekshana, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Kyle Jamieson, Ajay Mandal, Bhagath Varma 

Mumbai Indians (8.5/10) 

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In an ordinary IPL 2023 auction, the Mumbai Indians purchased Cameron Green for 17.5 Crores. The all-rounder, who many consider the future of Australian cricket, made an impression on his first white-ball tour of India. Also, they were able to get the services of seasoned spinners Piyush Chawla and Shams Mulani, which was crucial for them in 2023. However, the exemption of Jasprit Bumrah from MI’s squad can prove to be a big blow for the MI.

Jhye Richardson’s stellar performance in the BBL 2022–23 and proven track record in T20s made him a value at his base price. The additional purchases were satisfactory and are not expected to be included in the XI. The XI already had the majority of its members, and the franchise did well to put the final pieces together. 

Last season, Mumbai Indians invested heavily in Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer, intending to create a team for the future. They performed similar acts of valor once more, this time shelling out an astounding Rs. 17.50 crore to sign Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. After a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals, MI ultimately acquired the major player. 

Rohit Sharma can bat in the middle order, with Green opening with Ishan Kishan. This change will be worth seeing, as it can be a make or break for the franchise in the upcoming season. They have quality pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer in their ranks, which will help them in crunch moments, but there is not enough backup for them. Rohit Sharma can also slot into the middle order with Cameron Green opening with Ishan Kishan, which could be a make-or-break combination for the franchise. 

Mumbai Indians Full Squad: 

Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Dewald Brevis, Tilak Varma, Jofra Archer, Tim David, Mohd Arshad Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kartikeya, Jason Behrendorff, Akash Madhwal, Cameron Green, Jhye Richardson, Piyush Chawla, Duan Jansen, Vishnu Vinod, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Raghav Goyal

Rajasthan Royals (9/10) 

Image

Being the runner-up in the IPL 2022 season, Rajasthan Royals have high hopes of winning the trophy in 2023. After a successful auction, they now have arguably the best squad on paper. Although they already had a strong top-order and bowling lineup, they still needed to bring in an all-rounder and middle-order batsman to complete their team. 

Rajasthan Royals have a reliable batting unit with Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal make up a strong unit on the bowling side. They also have a third backup spinner in Adam Zampa, who is one of the best in the business. Joe Root, a hitter with a sound approach, has emerged as a top purchase for the squad and may serve as an anchor. On the other hand, Jason Holder will be a help to the side because of his all-around skills and give them a fifth bowling option. 

Despite releasing nine players, Rajasthan Royals entered the 2023 auction with the third-lowest purse of INR 13.2 crore. However, they were able to hold onto key players and didn’t feel pressured to drastically alter their lineup for the 2022 season, which was their strongest IPL season since winning the championship in 2008. 

With a balanced bowling lineup that included Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, and Kuldeep Sen last season, the Rajasthan Royals were excellent. The Royals also kept backup pace alternatives Obed McCoy and Navdeep Saini, but no backup spinners were available. The additions of Adam Zampa and Murugan Ashwin have significantly improved the spin department for the Royals, who have a 25-player squad for the IPL 2023. 

Rajasthan Royals Full Squad:

Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Jos Buttler (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa, Jason Holder, Donovan Ferreira (wk), Kunal Rathore, Adam Zampa, KM Asif, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vashisht, Abdul PA, Joe Root.

Harmanpreet Kaur's MI are the first-ever WPL champions

Harmanpreet Kaur’s MI are the first-ever WPL champions

Yesterday was a historic day for women’s cricket. The reason? The final of the first-ever Women’s Premier League was conducted at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, which saw Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians face Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals.

On a starry Mumbai night, the WPL final saw the Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets thanks to some disciplined bowling and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s composed half-century.

Batting first, Delhi Capitals had a disastrous start losing three wickets for just 35 runs on the board. Despite the top-order collapse, Meg Lanning was standing tall before the disciplined bowling of Mumbai Indians. But a terrible mixup with Jess Jonnassen saw Lanning’s wonderful innings come to a halt. And from there saw a collapse from the Delhi batters. However, a late flourish from Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav saw the team go past 130 runs on the board. The Delhi Capitals innings ended on 131 runs on the fall of 9 wickets.

Chasing the target, Mumbai didn’t have the start they expected. The Women in Blue and Gold lost two quick wickets in under 4 overs, with the score reading just 23 runs. As it seemed like Mumbai would bottle the chase, two of Mumbai Indians’ strong pillars, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, played some intelligent cricket. The two stitched a 72-run stand to take their team within touching distance.

After Harmanpreet’s dismissal, Sciver-Brunt took it upon herself to take the team home. With help from Amelia Kerr, the duo toyed with the Delhi Capitals’ bowling to win the match for the team.

With this team, Mumbai Indians carved their name in history, becoming the first-ever champions of the WPL.

Let’s have a look at how the Twitter world reacted after the wonderful win by Harmanpreet Kaur and her girls.

 

 

 

 

 

Mumbai Indians’ WPL campaign was filled with several excellent individual performances that helped them become the champions. West Indian all-rounder, Hayley Matthews’s brilliant effort in the bowling department won her the “Purple Cap.” Matthews took 16 wickets in just 10 games at an average of 12.62.

England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt was adjudged the “Player of the Series” for her all-round performance. Sciver-Brunt took 10 wickets and scored 332 runs in 10 matches. Sciver-Brunt was marginally behind Meg Lanning for the “Orange Cup.”

The successful conclusion to the first-ever Women’s Premier League showed that women’s league cricket is here to stay. With the support and love that the WPL 2023 has got, the next edition promises to be bigger and better.

BCCI announces Herbalife as its official partner for IPL 2023

IPL 2023: Five Players who will be a breakout success

The “Greatest Festival of India” is back. And with that, the biggest cricketers will be back in India. The Indian Premier League started with a vision to provide a platform to young and emerging cricketers of India has become a global platform for cricketers across the globe to showcase their talent in front of the entire world.

From the Pandya Brothers to Mohammad Siraj to Jasprit Bumrah, many cricketers have been unearthed due to the IPL. This year, too, will be no different. The tournament will present a golden opportunity to every young cricketer who will try to grab the chance and hit a maximum.

In this article, we will have a look at the five players who will be a breakout success in IPL 2023.

5 players who will be a breakout success in IPL 2023

Harry Brook

Harry Brook - God of Sports

Creator: Matthew Lewis | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images

The latest sensation in world cricket, Harry Brook, has set the stage on fire with his aggressive style of play in batting. In his brief Test career, the right-handed batter has made 809 runs in just ten innings at an average of 80.9.

Brook’s record in T20s is exceptional too. He has 2,432 runs in the format and forced his way into the eventual world champions England’s T20 World Cup squad after a series in Pakistan in which he scored 231 runs at an average of 79.33 and a strike rate of 163.01.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were looking to strengthen their batting, bought Harry Brook for ₹ 13.25 crore. The England star will be playing for the first time in India and is expected to set to explode in the IPL.

Arshad Khan

Source: Instagram/ Mumbai Indians

Shocked? Don’t be. Mohammad Arshad Khan is a star for the future. The young boy, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, has been specially recommended by Mumbai Indians player Piyush Chawla.

Although the left-arm pacer doesn’t have much experience, whatever little we have seen him bowl has left us stunned. The Madhya Pradesh star can swing the white ball both ways, quite reminiscent to the all-time great Wasim Akram’s bowling style.

Besides his excellent bowling, Arshad can also get the team some quick runs. His hitting lower down the order will be quite useful for the Mumbai outfit.

Mumbai Indians have included Mohammad Arshad Khan in their team for a base price of ₹ 20 lakhs.

Cameron Green

Think I didn't do much to kind of earn that,” says Cameron Green after  fetching 17.50 Crore in IPL 2023 min-auction

Creator: Morgan Hancock | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images

Another Mumbai Indians player has made it to the list. Although Cameron Green has shown the world what he is capable of doing on the cricket field, his IPL debut will be looked forward to by many cricket pundits.

After Pollard announced his retirement from IPL, Mumbai Indians were looking for someone who could fill his shoes. And thankfully, they got Green. Green is a right-handed batter who can open the innings, can come down at number 4, or come at number 6 and finish the innings. A versatile player.

Like Pollard, Green is handy with the ball. The right-arm pacer’s bowling prowess was on full display during the T20 Internationa against Pakistan, where he got 2 wickets for 16 runs in just 3 overs at an economy of 5.33.

The all-rounder has scored 139 runs in 8 T20Is, with 61 as his highest score. He was purchased by Mumbai Indians for ₹17.5 crores during the IPL 2023 mini-auction. Green is expected to land stability to the Mumbai Indians team and help them play to their potential in IPL 2023.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Maiden Ranji Trophy century will forever be memorable: Yashasvi Jaiswal |  News

Creator: Jan Kruger-ICC | Credit: ICC via Getty Images Copyright: 2020 ICC

Yashasvi Jaiswal. This name has been making the rounds of the Indian cricketing circle for a while. The youngest double centurion in List A cricket and Player of the Tournament in the 2020 U-19 World Cup, Jaiswal is expected to continue his domestic cricket form into IPL.

During the recently concluded Irani Trophy, Jaiswal, representing the Rest of India, smashed a stunning double century in the first innings and a gritty hundred in the second innings to win the Irani Cup for his team.

While this is not the first time the Mumbai batter has produced such a magnificent performance. During the semi-final match against Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy 2021-22, the left-handed batsman slammed centuries in both innings to help his team win the match.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who plies his trade for Rajasthan Royals, has appeared for 10 IPL matches and scored 258 runs in 10 Innings. The left-hander’s highest score in IPL is 68.

Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images

Creator: Pal Pillai Copyright: 2016 Getty Images

Mumbai-born Sarfaraz Khan is one of the hottest properties in the domestic circuit. Sarfaraz has an envious record in the Ranji Trophy. He averages a whopping 80.47 in 36 matches, second only to the legendary Sir Don Bradman, who averaged 95.14 in 234 games.

During the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, Sarfaraz amassed 556 runs in just 9 innings at an average of a whopping 92.66. He notched up three big hundreds and one half-century during the season.

The 25-year-old was the leading run-scorer during the last Ranji Trophy season, amassing 982 runs at an average of 122.75 in Mumbai’s run to the final. He struck four hundreds and two half-centuries in that season and had a top score of 275 against Saurashtra.

In IPL 2023, the right-handed batter will be playing from Delhi Capitals. He will be responsible for finishing the Delhi innings with a flourish.

harmanpreet kaur

Harmanpreet’s MI records 4th straight win in the WPL

Harmanpreet’s Kaur-led Mumbai Indians has comfortably beaten UP Warriorz by eight wickets in their group-stage match yesterday. The Women in Blue and Gold chased down UP Warriorz’s target of 160 runs inside 18 overs to record their fourth straight win in the Women’s Premier League.

Batting first, the UP Warriorz posted a competitive score of 159 for the loss of 8 wickets on the back of skipper Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath’s half-centuries. For Mumbai Indians, Saika Ishaque was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 33 runs in her full quota of 4 overs.

Coming to the chase, the Mumbai Indians had a strong start posting 58 runs in the first seven overs. However, they seemed to lose the plot a bit in the middle overs as the table toppers lost two wickets in successive overs. But the calm and composed gameplay of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt helped the Women in Blue and Gold effortlessly chase down the target. Harmanpreet scored an excellent half-century off 33 balls, while Sciver-Brunt played her part with fantastic 45-run innings off 31 balls.

With this win, the Mumbai Indians have earned a victory against all the other four teams in the Women’s Premier League. They are well-settled and look like a strong contender to lift the WPL trophy.

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur

WPL Schedule 2023: Match Timings, Teams List, Live Telecast, Schedule, Match Venue, and Live Telecast in India

The much-anticipated Women’s Premier League is about to kick off on March 4th. The entire Indian cricket fraternity is hyped for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League.  Rachael Haynes, head coach of Gujarat Giants, feels women’s cricket will benefit a lot due to the WPL. She says, “There are lots of different elements that hopefully can come together through the WPL, and hopefully, Indian cricket can be richer for it.”

ICC General Manager Cricket, Wasim Khan, seconded Haynes’ opinion. In a press conference, he said, “India continues to lead the way with regard to women’s cricket. The values brought in for the WPL teams reiterate the potential of women’s cricket.”

The first-ever WPL will run from March 4th to 26th and will be conducted entirely in Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium. The WPL is a landmark event for women’s cricket, and five high-profile teams will be a part of it; Adani Group-owned Gujarat Giants, Reliance Industries-owned Mumbai Indians, Diageo-owned Royal Challengers Bangalore, JSW-GMR-owned Delhi Capitals, and Capri-Global owned UP Warriorz.

These five teams will play a total of 22 matches during the 23-day tournament. The first match will be between Beth Mooney-led Gujarat Giants and Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians on 4th March at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.

Check out the entire schedule of the first Women’s Premier League.

Timetable of Women's Premier League

When is the Women’s Premier League starting?

The 2023 Women’s Premier League starts on March 4th and will end on March 26th. All the matches will be played at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.

How many teams will be in the Women’s Premier League?

The first edition of the WPL will stage a total of 20 league matches between 5 franchises (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz). A total of two play-off matches will also take place and will be played over 23 days.

Where can you watch the Women’s Premier League live?

The TATA Women’s Premier League will be live-streamed on Jio Cinema. For television users in India, the women’s league will be telecasted on the Sports18 channel. For users who reside outside India, they can watch the league on the following channels:

Location Broadcaster
United Kingdom Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event
United States Willow TV
Australia Fox Sports, Yupp TV
Middle East Willow TV
South Africa SuperSport
New Zealand Sky Sport NZ (Sky Sport 2)
Caribbean Flow Sports (Flow Sports 2)
Canada Willow TV
Bangladesh Channel 9
Afghanistan Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA)
Nepal Yupp TV, Net TV Nepal, SimTV Nepal
Sri Lanka Yupp TV, SLRC, Dialog TV, PeoTV
Singapore StarHub TV+
Maldives Yupp TV, Medianet

There’s no doubt that the WPL will make India a superpower in women’s cricket. But will it act as a catalyst to improve the level of cricket the Women in Blue play?

Ranking all the teams from the Women's Premier League

Ranking all the teams from the Women’s Premier League

We witnessed how many Women’s cricketers garnered significant sums from teams during the recently concluded Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction as a result of their spotless records and dazzling numbers. A few celebrities who made news after becoming some of the most expensive purchases at the event were Smriti Mandhana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ashleigh Gardner, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma. Their input will be essential in determining the success of their respective franchises in the forthcoming competition. 

In the historic first Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction on February 13, INR 59.50 crore was spent on 87 players, 30 of whom are international stars. The performances of the international players will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining the fate of the teams come March. Only 87 of the 449 players featured in the WPL 2023 auction could secure contracts. Some well-known performers from the global stage went unsold from the auction’s focus from either of the franchises. 

The first season of Women’s Premier League is set to begin on 4th March, and the finals of the tournament will be played on 26th March. Before the tournament proceeds, let’s have a look at the best teams in the grand Indian tournament. 

Ranking all the teams from the Women’s Premier League 

Royal Challengers Bangalore 

RCB bought a total of 18 players for a sum of 11.9 crores. RCB enjoys constructing its brand around famous players. Imagine the men’s team as having Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Virat Kohli. Similar to the Women’s Premier League(WPL), they have set up a formidable trio consisting of Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, a four-time winner of the T20 World Cup, and Dane van Niekerk of South Africa. 

Apart from some of the renowned Indian superstars, RCB has managed to gather a talented bunch of international all-rounders. The team’s coach and management have the difficult task of deciding which cricketers to leave out of their far-reaching and talented squad, featuring renowned players such as Perry, Sophie Devine, van Niekerk, and Heather Knight, who all possess both batting and bowling capabilities. 

Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Renuka Singh add even more firepower to the already impressive overseas contingent of top-class cricketers. This set of players automatically makes RCB one of the top favorites to win the Indian T20 League. However, the lack of a quality Indian wrist-spinner on the bouncy Mumbai pitches might be a drawback. 

Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore for WPL: Smriti Mandhana

RCB’s complete squad for 2023: 

Smriti Mandhana (INR 3.4 crore), Sophie Devine (INR 50 lakh), Ellyse Perry (INR 1.7 crore), Renuka Singh (INR 1.5 crore), Richa Ghosh (INR 1.9 crore), Erin Burns (INR 30 lakh), Disha Kasat (INR 10 lakh), Indrani Roy (INR 10 lakh), Shreyanka Patil (INR 10 lakh), Kanika Ahuja (35 lacks), Asha Shobana (INR 10 lakh), Heather Knight (INR 40 lakh), Dane van Niekerk (INR 30 lakh), Preeti Bose (INR 30 lakh), Poonam Khemnar (INR 10 lakh), Komal Zanzad (INR 25 lakh), Megan Schutt (INR 40 lakh), Sahana Pawar (INR 10 lakh).

Overall Rating: (4.3/5) 

Mumbai Indians 

MI purchased a total of 18 players for a sum of 12 crores. A chance to play for the MI-based franchise will be especially poignant for Harmanpreet Kaur, who made her debut on the Mumbai pitches in 2013 with a memorable century in the Women’s World Cup. This return to the city will mark the start of an exciting new phase of Indian women’s cricket, during which Harmanpreet could potentially lead the Mumbai Indians. Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Pooja Vastrakar are sure to appear at the top of the team’s lineup. Both Sciver-Brunt and Vastrakar are essential cogs because of their mobility in the field against speed and spin, as well as their superb medium pace and ability to bowl a heavy ball in the middle overs. 

Mumbai Indians have gone the extra mile in gathering a large selection of reserve players thanks to their dedicated scouting system. Additionally, they have also developed a robust pool of India Under-19 players and will use this time to help them grow and develop over the years. Mumbai Indians are known for creating superstars like the franchise previously did with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. With Yastika Bhatia as the sole wicketkeeper, Mumbai Indians lack backup options in that area. They could also use more Indian seam bowlers, as Vastrakar is their only option in this regard. 

Captain of Mumbai Indians for WPL: Harmanpreet Kaur

MI’s complete squad for 2023: 

Harmanpreet Kaur (INR 1.8 crore), Nat Sciver (INR 3.2 crore), Amelia Kerr (INR 1 crore), Pooja Vastrakar (INR 1.9 crore), Yastika Bhatia (INR 1.5 crore), Heather Graham (INR 30 lakh), Isabelle Wong (INR 30 lakh), Amanjot Kaur (INR 50 lakh), Dhara Gujar (INR 10 lakh), Saika Ishaque (INR 10 lakh), Hayley Matthews (INR 40 lakh), Chloe Tryon (INR 30 lakh), Humairaa Khazi (INR 10 lakh), Priyanka Bala (INR 20 lakh), Sonam Yadav (INR 10 lakh), Jintimani Kalita (INR 10 lakh), Neelam Bisht (INR 10 lakh). 

Overall Rating: (4/5) 

Delhi Capitals 

Delhi Capitals bought a total of 18 players for a sum of 11.65 crores. Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, and Marizanne Kapp’s performance and expertise will be important for the Capitals in their first competitive venture. The Capitals’ top order is composed of Shafali, Rodrigues, and Lanning. Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Meg Lanning makes the team look invincible on paper. 

Delhi Capitals have a strong bowling troupe consisting of Poonam Yadav, Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, and Marizanne Kapp. With Taniya Bhatia and Aparna Mondal as wicketkeepers, however, the lower-middle order might be hindered due to their lack of striking ability. 

Captain of Delhi Capitals for WPL: Not yet announced

DC’s complete squad for 2023:

Jemimah Rodrigues (INR 2.2 crore), Meg Lanning (INR 1.1 crore), Shafali Verma (INR 2 crore), Radha Yadav (INR 40 lakh), Shikha Pandey (INR 60 lakh), Marizanne Kapp (INR 1.5 crore), Titas Sadhu (INR 25 lakh), Alice Capsey (INR 75 lakh), Tara Norris (INR 10 lakh), Laura Harris (INR 45 lakh), Jasia Akhter (INR 20 lakh), Minnu Mani (INR 30 lakh), Jess Jonassen (INR 50 lakh), Taniyaa Bhatia (INR 30 lakh), Poonam Yadav (INR 30 lakh), Sneha Deepthi (INR 30 lakh), Arundhati Reddy (INR 30 lakh), Aparna Mondal (INR 10 lakh). 

Overall Rating: (4/5) 

Gujarat Giants 

GG amassed a total of 18 players for a sum of 11.5 crores. Gujarat Giants made Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner one of the most expensive overseas purchases in the auction at INR 3.2 crore (USD 390,000 approx). Ashleigh Gardner recently achieved her best-ever bowling figures in T20Is. Gardner mentioned that the conditions at DY Patil Stadium and the Brabourne Stadium are perfect for good strokeplay, which will benefit her as a hitter and also help the ball grip and turn. Her performance with both bat and ball is expected to make a significant impact. 

With her abundance of experience in the domestic circuit, Sneh Rana could be a huge asset for Mumbai Indians during the Women’s Premier League. Additionally, she will be reuniting with Nooshin Al Khadeer, her former Railways coach, who has had a major impact on Rana’s return to the national side. Her flight and dip with the ball could be strategic tools for the two venues hosting all 22 games. 

Gujarat Giants have some of the most specialized overseas options available to them, in addition to reliable all-rounders Deandra Dottin and Annabel Sutherland, who both specialize in seam bowling. Gujarat Giants are lacking a bit in the local Indian experience department, with Harleen Deol, S Meghana, and D Hemalatha being their only Indian batters who can be trusted in critical moments or if any unexpected injuries arise. 

Captain of Gujarat Giants for WPL: Not yet announced

GG’s complete squad for 2023: 

Ashleigh Gardner (Rs 3.2 crore), Beth Mooney (Rs 2.2 crore), Sophia Dunkley (INR 60 lakh), Annabel Sutherland (INR 70 lakh), Harleen Deol (INR 40 lakh), Deandra Dottin (INR 60 lakh), Sneh Rana (INR 75 lakh), Sabbineni Meghana (INR 30 lakh), Georgia Wareham (INR 75 lakh), Mansi Joshi (INR 30 lakh), Dayalan Hemalatha (INR 30 lakh), Monica Patel (INR 30 lakh), Tanuja Kanwer (INR 50 lakh), Sushma Verma (INR 60 lakh), Hurley Gala (INR 10 lakh), Parunika Sisodia (INR 10 lakh), Shabnam Shakeel (INR 10 lakh), Ashwani Kumari (INR 35 lakh).

Overall Rating: (3.5/5) 

UP Warriorz (3.4/5) 

UP Warriorz bought a total of 18 players for a sum of 11.5 crores. UP Warriorz has an extremely well-rounded squad. Along with Deepti, Devika Vaidya, Parshavi Chopra, Grace Harris, and Tahlia McGrath, who can all provide an impact with both the bat and ball, the team has the potential to shift momentum and take the game in their favor.

Deepti Sharma is a key player in the line-up, especially in spin-friendly pitch conditions in Mumbai. Sharma was India’s second-most expensive player in the WPL 2023 auction with an INR 2.6 crore price tag, behind Smriti Mandhana. Sharma’s ability to produce results with both batting and bowling makes her a vital part of the team. Alyssa Healy is an essential part of the Warriorz top lineup and team, offering plenty of international experience. She has a remarkable ability to turn the tides in her team’s favor, with an impressive batting average of 128.26 in T20Is. 

Warriorz has an excellent core spin trio with Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sophie Ecclestone, and Deepti at the helm. With Shabnim Ismail and Anjali Sarvani providing quality support in the pace department, Healy, the Under-19 India opener Shweta Sehrawat, and McGrath form a solid top order. Having said that, Kiran Navgire and the lesser-known Laxmi Yadav are the only dedicated batters in the middle order; Warriorz needs players who can take on an anchor role if a few quick wickets fall early in innings. 

Captain of UP Warriorz for WPL: Alyssa Healy

UP Warriorz complete squad for 2023: 

Sophie Ecclestone (INR 1.8 crore), Deepti Sharma (INR 2.6 crore), Tahlia McGrath (INR 1.4 crore), Shabnim Ismail (INR 1 crore), Alyssa Healy (INR 70 lakh), Anjali Sarvani (INR 55 lakh), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (INR 40 lakh), Parshavi Chopra (INR 10 lakh), Shweta Sehrawat (INR 40 lakh), S Yashasri (INR 10 lakh), Kiran Navgire (INR 30 lakh), Grace Harris (INR 75 lakh), Devika Vaidya (INR 1.4 crore), Lauren Bell (INR 30 lakh), Laxmi Yadav (INR 10 lakh), Simran Shaikh (INR 10 lakh).

Overall Rating: (3.4/5) 

Archer is MI Cape Town's wildcard

Jofra Archer is MI Cape Town’s wildcard in SA20

England’s pace bowling sensation Jofra Archer’s comeback is on track. The cricketer was seen playing for England Lions and appeared to be in great shape. The latest news is that the right-arm pace bowler has been announced as a wildcard signing by the MI Cape Town franchisee in the SA20 league.

“MI Cape Town announces the signing of Jofra Archer as their SA20 wildcard player ahead of the inaugural season of SA20,” the franchise said in a statement. Archer was signed by Mumbai Indians during the 2022 IPL auction for INR 8 crore despite the franchisee knowing he would be unavailable. He has, in fact, been retained for the 2023 season.

Archer has been taking giant strides on his return and he is currently in the UAE with the England Lions team as part of his rehab programme. He is working under a group of coaches of the ECB. Videos of him bowling full throttle have emerged in social media and English media reports have also said that the pacer has troubled batsmen at a good pace during a friendly game in Abu Dhabi.

The signing of Jofra Archer makes MI Cape Town even more strong which already comprises superstars like Kagiso Rabada, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Olly Stone, Dewald Brevis and Rashid Khan.

The SA20 runs from January 10 until February 11, with a short break in late January for England’s re-arranged ODI series in South Africa. It is reported that Archer will be making his international comeback in the series.

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