An epic conclusion to a closely contested IPL season ended with Chennai Super Kings lifting the trophy for the fifth time in a run down to the last ball. Several Indian and foreign stars made headlines in this two-month-long tournament.
Here’s picking the top performers from 10 franchises for the team of the season –
Shubman Gill
This was truly a season where Gill came into his own, revealing his true powers. Agreed, he was not able to convert starts in the first half of the tournament but when he did, the results were scary. He scored three centuries in just four innings. All three of these resulted in the teams being kicked out of the tournament. In the blink of an eye, he went on to top the list of highest run-getters of IPL 2023 and went on to win the Orange Cap. 890 runs in 17 innings at 59.33 and an impressive strike rate of 157.80. These numbers should be sufficient.
Faf du Plessis (Captain)
Mr. Consistent. The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper was the epitome of consistency while opening the innings for them throughout the season. He was solid as ever, electrifying in the field and wore the Orange Cap for a major part of IPL 2023, before RCB’s exit in the league stage. Du Plessis scored 730 runs in 14 innings at an average of 56.15 and an impressive strike rate of 153.68.
cameron green
The second most expensive player in IPL history, Green could have easily collapsed under the sheer weight of his unbelievable price tag. He did not. True, the all-rounder hasn’t made an impact with his pace bowling, but with the bat he has stepped up when Mumbai Indians needed him the most. In a must-win battle against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Australian smashed a blistering hundred in a chase of over 200 to keep his team alive in the race for the playoffs. In 16 matches, he scored 452 runs at an impressive strike rate of 160.28 at an average of 50.22, including one century and two fifties.
Suryakumar Yadav
Mr. 360 Suryakumar may have had a quiet start to the season, but once he picked up the pace, there was no looking back. He scored 605 runs with one century and five half-centuries – the most by any MI batsman this season. His presence in the middle order was a source of strength for the five-time IPL winners as they chased consecutive 200-plus totals. He sent the ball all over the park and struck at a devastating strike-rate of 181.13.
Rinku Singh
Want a finisher? Call Rinku. Kolkata Knight Riders should thank the youngster for consistently getting them out in what was a forgettable season for them. His five consecutive sixes in the last over of a 200 plus chase against Gujarat Titans will certainly be remembered for a long time to come. It was a successful year for Rinku who is now being tipped to make her India debut. He scored 474 runs at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52.
Ravindra Jadeja
The emotional scenes of Jadeja running past the Gujarat Titans dressing room before meeting MS Dhoni certainly made for a blockbuster finale. Needing 10 runs for two wins in the IPL final against one of the season’s top bowlers, the cool Jadeja lifted the fifth ball for a six and then hit a full toss on his pads to fine leg for four, leading To celebrate in the Chennai Super Kings camp. And it should not be forgotten that earlier in the match, he had outfoxed the in-form Gill to stump him. He batted down the order and scored 190 runs at a strike rate of 142.85. Jadeja made the most impact with his left arm spin bowling. He took 20 wickets in 16 matches at 21.55 and an economy of 7.56.
Heinrich Klaasen (wicket-keeper)
The only bright spot for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the inclement season was an impressive, dominating performance from their South African star Klaasen. He dealt with fast bowlers and spinners with equal ease. Arriving a bit late as he was busy playing international cricket for South Africa, he made an instant impact, scoring 448 runs in 11 innings at an average of 49.78 and an impressive strike-rate of 177.07. He scored a blistering century and two half-centuries.
rashid khan
The Afghan legspinner is fast becoming one of the most consistent performers in the IPL. He took 27 wickets in 17 matches at 20.44 and an economy of 8.23. However this season, he leaked runs unlike in the past when batsmen usually tried to make him look safe. He plundered runs in the powerplay overs but was up for the challenge in the middle and death overs. Even with the bat, he was impressive and made GT almost impossible when he scored an unbeaten 79 off 32 balls against MI.
Mohammed Shami
Shami was a big threat in the powerplay overs. His 17 wickets during this phase is a record for a bowler in a single IPL season. Overall, he took 28 wickets at 18.64 and an economy of 8.03. His spell of 4/7 in just three overs in the Powerplay phase against DC is still fresh. Shami ended with the Purple Cap as GT made it to the finals for the second consecutive season.
Mohit Sharma
hard work pays off. Just ask Mohit who has produced sensational performances after going unsold in two seasons – one of them spent as a net bowler for GT despite being a Purple Cap winner in the past. GT placed their bet on him by buying him in the mini-auction last year and he repaid the faith by taking 27 wickets in 14 matches at an impressive average of 13.37 and an economy of 8.17. He did his best during the second qualifier against Mumbai Indians, taking 5/10 in just 2.2 overs.
Mohammed Siraj
Despite being ninth in the list of top wicket-takers for the season, Siraj makes the cut based on how effective he was in the Powerplay. He had taken 10 wickets in that phase. He took 19 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 19.78 and an economy of 7.52. Siraj was regularly put in difficult situations and he delivered and often struck in the very first over itself.
impact player
Shivam Dubey, Mathisha Pathirana, Yuzvendra Chahal and Akshar Patel
