IPL 2023: Best XI of the tournament

The 16th edition of the IPL will be remembered as one of the most exceptional and memorable seasons in the history of the tournament.

The IPL 2023 witnessed numerous magical performances from several players throughout the season. From Rinku Singh of the Kolkata Knight Riders to Shubman Gill, the opener for the Gujarat Titans, they have impressed everyone with their consistent performances in the IPL 2023 season. The Mumbai Indians, last season's wooden spoon winners, found their next generation of players after experiencing a few departures from the Mega Auction. Cameron Green, Tilak Verma, and Nehal Wadhera have made their mark as young and upcoming stars. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the opener for the Rajasthan Royals, also had a turnaround season. Recognizing these exceptional performances and consistency, Khel Now selected its Best IPL 2023 eleven, considering the players' impact and consistency.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)

Rajasthan Royals' investment in their young opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, finally paid off in the IPL 2023. Jaiswal ended up among the top 5 leading run-scorers this season. He played a crucial role for the Royals, particularly during the powerplay overs, taking advantage of the fielding restrictions and effortlessly smashing boundaries. Jaiswal scored a century against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede. In his 14 innings, he accumulated 625 runs at an average of 48.07, with a strike rate of 163.61, including 5 fifties.

2. Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)

Shubman Gill, the opener for the Gujarat Titans, emerged as the winner of the Orange Cap in the IPL 2023. Gill displayed exceptional form throughout the season, smashing 3 centuries. He played crucial innings against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians in crucial matches, with his blistering hundreds. Gill remained consistent and finished the season with 890 runs in 17 innings, averaging 59.33, with a strike rate of 157.80, including 4 fifties and 3 centuries. Gill is our best possible opener in the IPL 2023.

3. Faf du Plessis (C) (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Despite missing out on the playoff race, the Royal Challengers Bangalore showed great resilience in their campaign, largely thanks to their captain, Faf du Plessis, and his consistent batting. Faf led the race for the Orange Cap for almost a month with his consistent performances. In his last 10 innings, Faf had double-digit scores in all of them. He is the second-leading run-scorer of the season with 730 runs in 14 innings. Faf scored 8 fifties and batted with a strike rate of 153.68.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

Suryakumar Yadav, the Mumbai Indians batter, had a troubled start in the IPL 2023. However, he gained momentum after the Delhi Capitals run chase in Delhi. Currently, SKY is one of the most dangerous players in the T20 format. His knock of 55 runs against the Rajasthan Royals in a 214-run chase turned things around for the Mumbai Indians in the remainder of the season. SKY ended his season with 605 runs in 16 innings at a blistering strike rate of 181.13. He also smashed a century and 5 half-centuries.

5. Rinku Singh

No eleven will look complete without Rinku Singh in the IPL 2023. Coming from a humble background, Rinku Singh has enjoyed a different stardom this season. Rinku smashed 5 consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans to chase down 29 runs in the last over in Ahmedabad. Since then, Rinku emerged as the finisher of the season for KKR. Rinku scored 474 runs at an astonishing average of 59.25.

6. Heinrich Klassen (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

South African wicketkeeper Heinrich Klassen was the lone warrior for Sunrisers Hyderabad Hyderabad in the IPL 2023. On many occasions, Heinrich almost took SRH out of the trouble but lacked support from the other end. He left his impact on the SRH camp with the bat and became an integral part. In a season to remember, Heinrich Klassen smashed 448 runs in 11 innings. Klassen’s strike rate was 177.07 in the Indian wickets taking on spinners which is impressive. He went on to smash a century and 2 fifties.

7. Marcus Stoinis (Lucknow Super Giants)

Marcus Stoinis played a crucial role in Lucknow Super Giants' success this season. Playing their second season in the Indian Premier League, Lucknow qualified for playoffs for the second season consecutively. Marcus Stoinis left his impact with both, bat and ball. In the absence of KL Rahul, Stoinis also played a major role along with Stand-in captain Krunal Pandya in the team’s decision-making. Stoinis in 15 games scored 408 runs with 3 half-centuries. He also picked up 5 wickets.

8. Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)

Rashid Khan is one of the leading bowlers in T20 cricket. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan ended up as 3rd leading wicket-taker of the IPL 2023. He has played a major role along with Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami. He remained a crucial wicket-taking role for the Titans in the middle overs and powerplay. Rashid in 17 games picked up 27 wickets with an outstanding economy rate of 8.23

9. Piyush Chawla (Mumbai Indians)

This was a redemption year for Piyush Chawla in the IPL 2023. Chawla being the top performer in initial editions of the league went unnoticed in the last few years. Mumbai Indians gave him the opportunity and he didn’t disappoint the management. Piyush Chawla played a crucial role in Mumbai’s camp and picked up wickets when they needed the most. Chawla in 16 games took 22 wickets with an economy rate of 8.11.

10. Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans)

Pacer Mohammed Shami has struck well for Gujarat Titans in the powerplay. With his pace and seam position, Shami rattled the batters with ease. There was also a race between him and Titans leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Discarded from India’s T20 squad, Shami has been a consistent performer for the Titans in the last two editions. He picked up 28 wickets in 17 games with an outstanding economy rate of 8.03

11. Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings)

Chennai Super Kings have found their own Lasith Malinga’s version 2.0. Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni unleashed Pathirana mostly in the final overs and he did not disappoint his captain. Pathirana with his brutal toe-crushing Yorkers picked up 19 wickets in 12 games.  Bowling mostly in the final six overs, Pathirana’s economy rate is 8.00 which is outstanding.

Impact sub:

Akash Madhwal (Mumbai Indians)

For the first time in the IPL history Impact sub was used. Teams have used this for their benefit and accepted that as a positive change in the tournament. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer, a young man from Uttarakhand Akash Madhwal took responsibility for Mumbai’s pace attack along with Jason Behrendorff. Madhwal played 8 games and picked up 14 wickets. His 5/5 against Lucknow powered MI to qualifier two.