In the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gujarat Titans (GT) made their debut and outclassed all the teams to win the title. During their campaign, GT looked confident under their skipper Hardik Pandya. Talented players such as Shubman Gill, David Miller, Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, and captain Pandya gave their best to help the team dominate the competition.
They also topped the table with ten victories in 14 matches in the round-robin stage. Later, in the knockout round, they hammered Rajasthan Royals (RR) twice and clinched the title.
Based on GT’s formidable debut, it could be said that it won’t be easy for other franchises to stop the defending champions in the 2023 edition either. It will take a gun IPL XI featuring players from across teams to defeat the champions of the 2022 edition.
Here is the XI that can beat the defending champions GT:
11. Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals)
Currently, Yuzvendra Chahal is an integral part of Rajasthan Royals (RR) as he delivered his best performance in the league clinching 27 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 7.75. With these numbers, he also became the Purple Cap winner for the first time. In the tournament, he also grabbed a hat-trick against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Earlier, while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2014-2021, Chahal delivered a lot of match-winning displays. Talking about his bowling figures for the franchise, he took 139 wickets in 113 games at an economy of 7.58.
In the last few years, he has been a consistent performer in the tournament which makes him an ideal bowler to lead the spin attack of any IPL team. So far, the leggie’s journey has been incredible as he has hunted 166 scalps in 131 matches at an economy of 7.61.
10. Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
Jasprit Bumrah’s presence becomes necessary in this squad. He is one premier bowler in all the three formats due to his unprecedented bowling skills. Talking about the league, the 29-year-old is leading the bowling attack of Mumbai Indians (MI) for a long time.
With 145 wickets in 120 IPL games, Bumrah is the second-highest wicket-taker for the franchise. In the title victories of MI in 2017, 2019, and 2020, he made a huge contribution with his wicket-taking ability. Last year, MI delivered their worst performance in the league but Bumrah was efficient picking up 15 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.18.
In the franchise’s last triumph, Bumrah delivered his best performance in the tournament bagging 27 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 6.73. Considering his disciplined bowling and great numbers, any IPL team would love him to spearhead its bowling line-up.
9. Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Josh Hazlewood is known for his disciplined bowling in all three forms of the sport. In 2021, the 32-year-old helped Australia to lift the maiden T20 World Cup trophy. Picking up 11 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 7.29, he played a key role in his team’s success.
Witnessing Hazlewood’s extraordinary display for his national side in the marquee event, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) signed him at the 2022 mega auction for INR 7.75 crore. Playing his debut season for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), he was remarkable with the ball grabbing 20 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.11. However, it was Chennai Super Kings (CSK) that gave him a chance in the league.
In 2020, CSK picked him at the mini-auction to strengthen their bowling unit. After having a dismal season in 2020, CSK became champions for the fourth time in the fourteenth edition of the league. With 11 scalps in nine matches at an economy of 8.37, Hazlewood was one of the major faces who led CSK to success. These records of the Aussie pacer make him an apt name to feature in this XI.
8. Kagiso Rabada (Punjab Kings)
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada is known for his relentless approach towards batters. With his fierce bowling attitude, the 27-year-old has helped the Proteas pull off many T20I games also. In the shortest form of the sport, he has fetched 56 wickets for South Africa at an economy of 8.51.
In the IPL, he played his debut season in 2017 in the Delhi Capitals (DC) jersey and took six wickets in six matches. However, his best performance in the cash-rich league came in 2020 as he claimed 30 wickets for DC in 17 games at an economy of 8.34. At the 2022 mega auction, Punjab Kings (PBKS) signed him at a humongous sum of INR 9.25 crore to get his services.
Justifying his price, Rabada ended up on the list of leading wicket-takers with 23 scalps in 13 matches at an economy of 8.46. Talking about his overall record in the league, the iconic bowler has added 99 wickets to his profile in 63 matches at an economy of 8.26. His back-to-back impressive performances in the tournament make him a strong contender to get included in the Best XI.
7. Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)
In current times, Ravindra Jadeja could be considered a genuine 3D player. The veteran possesses the capability to turn matches with his all-round skills. In his 15 years of IPL experience, Jadeja has given his franchises a lot of moments to celebrate.
Currently, he is associated with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and has played an important part in winning the last title. In 2021, CSK lifted the trophy for the fourth time, in which he contributed with 227 runs and 13 wickets in 16 matches.
Till now, the dashing all-rounder has appeared in 210 matches and taken 132 wickets at an economy of 7.61. With the bat, he has amassed 2,502 runs at a strike rate of 127.59. Before joining CSK, he also played for Rajasthan Royals and Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2008-09 and 2011 respectively. His immense experience and fine figures will help him to fit into the team to fill the role of an all-rounder.
6. MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)
After the 15 editions of the IPL, MS Dhoni has emerged as the best skipper with 123 victories in 210 matches. With his phenomenal leadership skills, the iconic player has handed four trophies to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Talking about his fitness level, the former India skipper leaves many young cricketers behind with his agility.
In the upcoming IPL edition, he will be seen leading CSK yet again. Speaking on his batting, the legendary cricketer is known for being a stylish match-finisher. Relying on his power-hitting ability, Dhoni has helped CSK to cross the line several times. So far, he has accumulated 4,978 runs in 234 IPL matches at an impressive strike rate of 135.20.
As a wicket-keeper too, Dhoni’s records are impressive as he is the most successful in the business with 170 dismissals (131 catches and 39 stumpings). In 2016-17, the veteran also played for Rising Pune Supergiants in the absence of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Noticing his achievements, it becomes imperative to assign him the skipper's role of the IPL Best XI.
5. Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals)
Rishabh Pant has been exceptional with the bat for Delhi Capitals (DC) in his seven seasons of the IPL. In 2017, the talented youngster delivered jaw-dropping batting performances for his team. Scoring 366 runs in 14 matches at a magnificent strike rate of 165.61, he grabbed a lot of attention.
After 2017, the confident batter had his best season in 2018 with 684 runs in 14 games at an outstanding strike rate of 173.60. So far, the southpaw has served his team efficiently with the bat scoring 2,838 runs in 98 IPL matches at a marvellous strike rate of 147.97.
Witnessing his incredible batting potential, Capitals handed him the captaincy mantle. The 25-year-old took his team to the playoff stage in the 2021 season. As a wicket-keeper too, his figures are fine as he has 79 dismissals behind the stumps. Looking at the blockbuster batting performances of Pant, he could be given the task to reinforce the Best XI’s batting at the number five position.
4. Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)
Suryakumar Yadav could be a trustworthy batter at number four as he has done a wonderful job in international cricket and IPL. 2022 was an amazing year for Suryakumar Yadav as he became the leading run-scorer in T20Is scoring 1,164 runs in 31 matches at a stellar strike rate of 187.43 with a couple of tons.
In T20 World Cup 2022 down under too, he ended up becoming the third-highest run-scorer with 239 runs in six games at a strike rate of 189.68. Last year, Mumbai Indians (MI) looked horrendous and delivered their worst performance in the history of the league. However, Suryakumar didn’t disappoint his team’s fans as he racked up 303 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 145.67.
Since 2018, he has been an important batter in the MI squad due to his elegant batting style in the shortest format of the game. So far, the 32-year-old has notched up 2,036 runs for MI in 69 contests at a strike rate of 138.31.
3. Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Last year, the T20 format played a crucial role in helping Virat Kohli regain his form. Playing Asia Cup 2022, he played some valuable knocks for India and regained his form. In T20 World Cup 2022, Virat Kohli became the player with the most runs in T20 Internationals. With 4,008 runs in 115 T20Is at a strike rate of 137.96, Kohli holds an amazing record.
However, the legendary batter failed to showcase his class in the 2022 IPL. Scoring only 341 runs in 16 IPL games at a strike rate of 115.99, he couldn’t meet the expectations of RCB supporters. Currently, he is also holding the record for scoring the most runs in the league with 6,624 runs in 223 matches at a strike rate of 129.15 with five centuries and 44 fifties.
Till now, he has only featured in the RCB jersey in the cash-rich league. In 2016, he amassed 973 runs in 16 IPL games at a scintillating strike rate of 152.03. His vast experience and ideal batting statistics make him the best to play at the number three position.
2. David Warner (Delhi Capitals)
David Warner’s superb batting style and credible IPL figures make him a perfect choice as an opener in the Best XI. With his match-winning knocks, Warner has proved himself as a batter several times. In 2016, he scored 848 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 17 matches in the league and made his season a success.
With his stunning batting effort in the edition, he helped his team to achieve a title. In December 2021, SRH released Warner after his flop show in the 14th IPL edition. In eight seasons for the franchise, he accumulated 4,014 runs in 95 contests at a strike rate of 142.59. With such impressive numbers, he is still the top run-scorer for the 2016 champions.
Last year, the Aussie legend returned to Delhi Capitals (DC) after nine years as they picked him at the 2022 mega auction for INR 6.25 crore. On his return, the southpaw shone with the bat notching up 432 runs with five half-centuries in 12 matches at a sensational strike rate of 150.52. The 36-year-old is also the third-highest run-scorer in the league with 5,881 runs in 162 matches with four centuries and 55 fifties.
1. Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals)
In 2021, Rajasthan Royals (RR) retained the English wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler along with their skipper Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Proving the franchise’s decision right, Buttler won the Orange Cap as he hit 863 runs with four centuries in 17 games at an excellent strike rate of 149.05.
Before the last season too, the veteran served RR efficiently with his ferocious batting style. Back in 2018, he made his debut for RR and looked formidable scoring 548 runs in 13 contests at a humongous strike rate of 155.24.
Talking about his overall IPL statistics, the 32-year-old English white-ball skipper has amassed 2,831 runs in 82 matches with five tons and fifteen half-centuries. Going through his current form and his all-time numbers in the league, he could be a reliable man to deliver fine starts to the Best XI.
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