The best playing XI of Indian Premier League 2023

The best playing XI of Indian Premier League 2023

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has emerged as one of the most thrilling and prestigious cricket tournaments worldwide since its inception in 2008. This fast-paced, high-octane extravaganza has witnessed some of the finest cricketers showcasing their skills and entertaining fans from all corners of the globe. With a league format that pits ten franchise teams against each other, the IPL has become a breeding ground for outstanding talent and fierce competition. As the league flourished over the years, a plethora of exceptional players have graced the hallowed grounds, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament’s history. Among the countless stars who have lit up the IPL, there emerges a formidable “Playing XI” – a dream team comprising the very best from the tournament’s rich tapestry.

SS Ton Cricket Bat

In this article, we delve into the captivating realm of the IPL and compile a lineup of the finest players, representing various facets of the game, to form the ultimate playing XI of the IPL 2023. Join us as we celebrate the brilliance and analyze the impact of these exceptional cricketers who have left an everlasting legacy on the grand stage of the IPL.

Here’s presenting the best-playing XI from the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League

Openers: Faf du Plessis and Shubman Gill

IPL Stars: Faf du Plessis and Shubman Gill

The Indian Premier League 2023 was dominated by openers. From Yashasvi Jaiswal to David Warner to Faf du Plessis to Shubman Gill, everyone performed exceptionally. The top-scoring batter at the end of the league campaign, Faf du Plessis truly had his finest IPL season yet.  He scored 730 runs in just 14 innings at an astonishing average of 56.15. Faf’s consistency helped Royal Challengers Bangalore to win many matches on his own.

Partnering with the RCB skipper will be the Orange Cap holder Shubman Gill. Gill is in tremendous form. It is best ever IPL season yet. Gill has amassed 851 runs in 16 innings at an average of 60.79 and a strike rate of 156.43. Gill has terrorised the bowlers with his elegant strokeplay. He has scored 3 massive hundreds this season. His ton against Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 2 is one of the most excellent hundreds ever witnessed by us in the entirety of the Indian Premier League.

Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Rinku Singh

IPL Stars: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Rinku Singh

The middle order of the best-playing XI of IPL 2023 is filled with superstars and emerging stars. First on the list is IPL veteran Virat Kohli. After showing signs of form, Virat Kohli exploded in the 16th edition of IPL. Kohli was third on the Orange Cap list, scoring 639 runs in 14 innings. “King Kohli” scored 2 big hundreds in this edition of IPL that helped take his team to victory in crucial matches.

Next is World No. 1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav. Surya didn’t quite set the stage on fire. In the first five matches, Suryakumar Yadav scored just 66 runs. However, the Mumbai Indians batter turned the tournament on its head. In the next seven matches, Surya scored 539 runs at a jaw-breaking strike rate of 181.14. Surya’s unconventional yet effective shots were a highlight of IPL 2023. His six over third man off Mohammad Shami’s ball is a shot etched in the memory of the fans. In IPL 2023, Suryakumar Yadav scored 605 runs in 16 innings at an average of 43.21. The right-hander scored one hundred against Gujarat Titans in the league stage.

When it comes to the choice of a wicketkeeper, no one beats the impact Heinrich Klaasen had, no matter where SRH finished this season. The South African was the biggest performer for his franchise, with no other player coming even close. Klassen scored 448 runs in 12 innings at an excellent strike rate of 177.07. The right-hander also smashed a wonderful century against Royal Challengers Bangalore to take his team to a respectable score.

Kolkata Knight Rider’s only glimmer of hope in an otherwise disappointing season; Rinku Singh also makes the list. After showing signs of brilliance last season, Rinku Singh got a consistent run of games in IPL 2023. The left-handed basher smacked 474 runs in 14 innings at an average of 59.52 and a strike rate of 139.52. Playing the role of a finisher, Rinku played his role to perfection. The match where he smashed 30 runs off Yash Dayal’s last over is the stuff of legends.

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya (C), Rashid Khan

IPL Stars: Hardik Pandya (C), Rashid Khan

Although Hardik Pandya the all-rounder hasn’t been able to repeat his remarkable IPL 2022 form, Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills were on point. The current Team India T20I skipper won 10 matches out of 14 games to top the Indian Premier League 2023 table. The all-rounder has kept things simple and not experimented during crunch situations. The Gujarat Titans skipper has scored 325 runs in 15 innings. In bowling, he has been off-colour. The all-rounder could only take 3 wickets whilst going for 8.91 runs per over.

Another Gujarat Titans player, Rashid Khan makes the list. Afghanistan’s current T20I skipper Rashid Khan is second on the Purple Cap list. The mystery spinner has taken 27 wickets in 16 innings. Rashid has also contributed with the bat whenever presented with an opportunity. During their league stage match against Mumbai Indians, the swashbuckling batter threatened to take take the match away from Mumbai with a whirlwind of an innings.

Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Matheesha Pathirana

Mohammad Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Matheesha Pathirana

Sitting at the top of the Purple Cap list, Mohammad Shami has been in tremendous form for the Gujarat Titans this season. The right-arm pacer has taken wickets at every stage of the game. Be it powerplay or death overs, Mohammad Shami has delivered his best for the team. The pacer has taken 28 wickets in 16 games at an average of 17.60 and an economy rate of 7.90.

IPL’s highest wicket-taker, Yuzvendra Chahal was also in excellent form this season. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, the leg-spinner took 21 scalps in just 14 games to become the highest wicket-taker for his side in IPL 2023. With a best of 4 for 17 runs, Chahal was very economical throughout the season.

Matheesha Pathirana has been the “find of the season”. The Sri Lankan’s deadly and accurate yorkers have been unplayable in the death overs. Taking 17 wickets in just 11 innings, Pathirana average 19.23 runs per wicket and has an economy of 7.72 runs per over.

Special Mention: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Piyush Chawla, David Warner, Mohit Sharma

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Piyush Chawla, David Warner, Mohit Sharma

Mumbai-born Yashasvi Jaiswal brought his domestic form into IPL 2023. The left-hander smacked 625 runs in just 14 innings at a fantastic strike rate of 163.61. Jaiswal was breathing fire in this edition of the IPL. During a match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, he set a new record by scoring the fastest 50 in IPL history, achieving this feat in just 13 balls.

Piyush Chawla, the old willy spinner from Uttar Pradesh, reinvented himself in this season of IPL. Playing for Mumbai Indians, the leg-spinner took 22 wickets in 15 games. Be it powerplay or middle overs, Chawla took wickets consistently. He never allowed the opposition to get settled, outfoxing the batters with his googlies. Being the highest wicket-taker for his side, Chawla was the fourth-highest wicket-taker this season.

Delhi Capitals had a disappointing season. The team could only bag 10 points in the entire tournament and was the first team to get eliminated from the playoffs stage. However, their skipper David Warner performed exceptionally. In 14 innings, the southpaw amassed 516 runs at an average of 36.86 and a strike rate of 131.63.

Mohit Sharma last played an IPL game in IPL 2019 before this season. He was playing for Chennai Super Kings and couldn’t impress the management and MS Dhoni. He was then overlooked by all the franchises. But Gujarat Titans called him as a net bowler in IPL 2022 and he immediately left an indelible impression on Head Coach Ashish Nehra and skipper Hardik Pandya. Mohit Sharma repaid their faith in IPL 2023. The right-arm pacer took 27 wickets in 14 games at an average of 13.37. Sharma was second on the list of Purple Cap, behind his Gujarat Titans teammate Mohammad Shami.

Virat Kohli in RCB Jersey

Virat Kohli’s masterful ton goes in vain as RCB gets knocked out of IPL

After smashing a wonderful century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Virat Kohli scored another magnificent ton in a do-or-die encounter with the 2022 IPL champions Gujarat Titans. The Team India batter scored 101 runs in just 61 balls, but couldn’t take his team past the finish line courtesy Shubman Gill.

After being put into bat, Royal Challengers Bangalore had a great start. The opening duo of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli put on 67 runs in just 7 overs. However, the Men in Red couldn’t quite continue their momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Kohli, the man for big matches had other plans. The right-hander went hammer and tongs from one end as he got good support from lower-order batsmen including Michael Bracewell and Anuj Rawat. With their help, Kohli took the team total to 197. Virat Kohli, who batted till the end, smashed 13 boundaries and one maximum.

Coming to the chase, Gujarat made sure they never got behind the required run rate. Shubman Gill, who is in a purple patch, was the hero of the chase. The young batsman smashed 104 runs in just 52 balls to take his team to victory. Gill, paced his innings to perfection to knock out Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the Indian Premier League.

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In the post-match presentation, Faf du Plessis, skipper of RCB, was all praise for his teammate; Virat Kohli. He said, ” It was wet in the first innings as well, but there wasn’t a lot of grip in the second innings and also we had to change the ball quite a few times during the second innings. Virat played an unbelievable knock to give us a chance and thought that was a good score, but Shubman played incredibly well to take the game away from us.”

With Royal Challengers Bangalore not able to win this do-or-die encounter, it is the Mumbai Indians who took the final playoff spot. Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, the table toppers respectively will be facing each other in Qualifier 1 which will be played on 23rd May at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. While Lucknow Super Giants will be facing the 5-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator scheduled to be played on 24th May at the same ground.

Who will come triumph in the knockout phase? Drop your answers in the comment section.

Surya's blitz helps Mumbai climb to third position in the IPL points table

Surya’s blitz helps Mumbai climb to third position in the IPL points table

The World Number 1 T20 batsman Suryakumar Yadav who was having a torrid time at the crease is back to his groove. After making a couple of fifty-plus scores, the 360-degree batsman wreaked havoc in Wankhede yesterday against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Chasing a target of 200, Mumbai Indians started excellently with Ishan Kishan going after the RCB bowlers. But as soon as he departed, the 5-time IPL champions witnessed a dull period in the middle. However, Suryakumar Yadav had other plans. The unorthodox batter started slowly but once he was comfortable went ballistic.

Surya made 83 runs off 35 balls with 7 boundaries and 06 maximums. He stitched a 140-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera to take his team easily toward victory.

Suryakumar Yadav, who is fondly called SKY was adjudged the Man of the Match for his magnificent batting performance. At the presentation ceremony, the right-handed batter said, “I am very happy to win a home game like this. I mean they come up with a plan. They tried to make me hit to the bigger part. Take the pace off and bowl slow.”

Surya’s batting partner Nehal Wadhera who also got a fifty was all praise for his senior. He stated, “I am happy with my fifty but I am more happy that my team won and I hope we continue to do so. I have the confidence within me that if I keep on batting till the end, I can finish the game for the team. Surya bhai is a top-class player and I also try to copy some of his shots but I cannot. While he was batting I was talking to him and he was saying ‘keep playing, keep playing’ and he was giving me confidence. He told me, ‘If both of us bat till the 15th-16th over, we can finish the game even early.’ And that’s what we did.”

With this win, Mumbai Indians have climbed up the points table. They are currently sitting in the third position in the Indian Premier League 2023 table. The Men in Blue next face Gujarat Titans at their home; Wankhede Stadium on May 12th.

Virat Kohli in RCB Jersey

Delhi boys Kohli and Gambhir fined 100 percent after heated exchange

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have been fined 100 percent of their match fees after an altercation happened between the both during the Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore match yesterday.

As per a statement from IPL, both Kohli and Gambhir were found in violation of Article 2.21, which covers: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game. Meanwhile, Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was fined 50 percent of his match fee for a level 1 breach of the same Article.

Last month, when Royal Challengers Bangalore had hosted Lucknow Super Giants at the Chinnaswamy stadium, Gambhir had broken into a crazy celebration before having an intense handshake with Kohli after LSG’s win. The former India opener and the current LSG mentor also shushed the crowd with a finger on his lips.

So this time, Virat Kohli gave it back in style but with a “boss-like” twist. The story however didn’t end there. After RCB’s 18-run win over LSG, Kohli and Gambhir engaged in an ugly spat before the teammates came and interfered.

This isn’t the first time the two have engaged in a war of words. Back in 2013, the two were involved in an ugly exchange when Gambhir was the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders and Kohli was leading RCB.

Nicholas Pooran hits the joint-second fastest fifty in IPL

Nicholas Pooran hits the joint-second fastest fifty in IPL

Nicholas Pooran went ballistic yesterday. The Lucknow Super Giants batter smashed the fastest fifty in IPL 2023. The left-hander reached the 50-run mark in just 15 balls – the joint second-fastest fifty in IPL ever.

Pooran, who came to bat in the 11th over with LSG at 99/4, smashed a huge six off Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Karn Sharma on his second ball to get things started. He hit five more sixes to take his team to victory against RCB. Pooran adjudged the Man of the Match, seemed confident about his strikes. In the post-match ceremony, he stated, “I knew this was a nice wicket. We could chase even over 50 in the last four, it was about cashing in. The second ball I came in and smashed a six. It isn’t about getting a look in, if it is in my slot, then I will smash it for six.”

He further added, “Over the past couple of years, I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to finish games. Today also I wanted to finish the game but got out in the end. I hope this is the season for me, in a good space and state of mind. Just want to enjoy my cricket, play with a smile and entertain, and win games for my team.”

The match being played at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium saw a flurry of fours and sixes. Batting first, RCB scored 212 runs for the fall of two wickets. Their top 3 i.e. Kohli, du Plessis, and Maxwell fired in unison, with each of them scoring half-centuries.

During the chase, Lucknow didn’t have the greatest of starts. The team saw three wickets falling for just 23 runs. However, a counter-attacking performance from Marcus Stoinis steadies their ship. And the duo of Pooran and Ayush Badoni did further damage to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Pooran’s fifty is the joint-second fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League. The other notable mentions in the list are Sunil Narine vs RCB (15 balls), Yusuf Pathan vs SRH (15 balls), Pat Cummins vs MI (15 balls), and KL Rahul vs DC (14 balls).

Mumbai Indians bring Riley Meredith in place of Jhye Richardson

Mumbai Indians bring Riley Meredith in place of Jhye Richardson

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have announced Australian quick Riley Meredith in place of injured pace bowler Jhye Richardson. Meredith joins MI for a fee of INR 1.5 crore (USD 182,000 approx.).

Riley Meredith, who was a part of the Punjab Kings during the 2021 season, played eight games for the Men in Blue and Gold during the 2022 season. During his time in Mumbai Indians, Meredith took eight wickets in as many matches at an economy rate of 8.42 runs per over.

Meredith, a premier quick bowler for Hobart Hurricanes, was the joint fifth-highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps from 14 games. He was one of the main reasons behind Hobart’s 2022-23 BBL campaign. In total, Meredith has taken 100 wickets in just 77 T20s at 8.33 runs per over.

Mumbai Indians are without their most lethal pace bowling option, Jasprit Bumrah. Still, the champions have a plethora of pace bowlers who can do instant damage to any batting attack. Jofra Archer, who was missing last year, will be leading their pace bowling department. Besides Archer, the Men in Blue and Gold have Jason Behrendorff, Duan Jansen, and Cameron Green as other overseas seam bowling options.

Mumbai Indians, who faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be seeking to overturn their fortune. The Men in Blue will next face Chennai Super Kings at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium.

Additionally, Royal Challengers Bangalore quick Reece Topley has been ruled out of the IPL 2023. The left-arm quick bowler sustained an injury to his left shoulder during their opening clash against Mumbai Indians. Sanjay Bangar, RCB’s head coach, confirmed that Reece Topley has been ruled out of IPL 2023. RCB announced David Willey as his replacement.

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. 

I went bizarre and it actually paid off: Chris Gayle - Rediff Cricket

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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) 

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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.

RCB Women register their first win in WPL

RCB Women register their first win in WPL

After five successive defeats, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women have registered their first victory in the Women’s Premier League. The Smriti Mandhana led-side has defeated UP Warriorz by five wickets thanks to their disciplined bowling and smart batting.

Winning the toss, RCB opted to field first. Taking full advantage of the conditions, the Bangalore side restricted the side to 135 runs. For RCB, Ellyse Perry was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 16 runs. Asha Shobhana and Sophie Devine took two wickets apiece.

While chasing, the Royal Challengers had a disastrous start. The Banglore side lost their skipper Smriti Mandhana for a duck. Mandhana’s opening partner Sophie Devine soon followed her to the pavilion. The side was in a difficult situation when Kanika Ahuja and Richa Ghosh stitched an important partnership to take the side home.

Mandhana was all praises for the young batters. In the post-match ceremony, she said, “Yeah, it was tense. We lost a couple of wickets in the 7th over, it was a bit nervous. But the way Kanika and Richa played was brilliant. Kanika in particular, really proud of her. Really excited to see her bat, the approach she has. She is a 360 degree player, who isn’t the most common in Indian cricket.”

With this victory, Royal Challengers Bangalore opened its account on the points table. Currently, the side is in the fourth position and faces Gujarat Giants on March 18.

Sophia Dunkley smashes the fastest fifty of WPL

Sophia Dunkley smashes the fastest fifty of WPL

Gujarat Giants’ Sophia Dunkley has smashed the fastest fifty in the Women’s Premier League. The right-handed batter fired an 18-ball fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The England batter went hammer and tongs against RCB’s Preeti Bose as she slammed her for 4,6,4,4,4 on successive balls to bring her a stunning half-century in the fifth over.

Sophia Dunkley’s blitzkrieg helped Gujarat Giants post a massive 201/7 in their full quota of 20 overs. Royal Challengers Bangalore, in reply, could manage only 190/6 in their 20 overs. Thereby helping Gujarat Giants win their first match of WPL and winning an important two points for the team.

Dunkley’s fifty is the joint-fourth fastest in all recorded women’s T20 competitions in the world. The right-handed batter eventually fell on 65 off just 28 deliveries.

Before Dunkley, the record for the fastest fifty in WPL was with Mumbai Indians’ skipper Harmanpreet Kaur when she notched up a 22-ball half-century in the tournament opener against Gujarat Giants.

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