IPL 2023: Ranking the Best Predicted Playing 11 for All 10 Teams

RCB and CSK, the best teams on paper as we look at the ranking and rating of the best playing 11 of all 10 teams for IPL 2023. 

The Indian Premier League is in its 16th edition, and the tournament has seen a roll-a-coaster ride from the teams’ standpoint. It started with 8 teams in 2008 before going to a 10-team tournament, then coming back to 8 teams, and then again switching back to 10 teams in 2022. But one thing that has only gotten better with time is the quality of players over the years. 

With 10 teams participating this year, the focal point has been the good probability of all the teams having a similar strength squad. Given the bifurcation of quality players in different teams, all teams seem to have a near to same playing 11 when it comes to their composition in different categories.

But even then, how about we analyze their squad, and find out their best possible playing 11 for all 10 teams for IPL 2023? As usual, the teams shall be ranked basis the cumulative ratings of their best 11 players. Players are relatively rated for their last three IPL and Domestic / International form. Whereas the relative ratings are calculated basis of the benchmark players in the respective categories like Openers, Pacers, Spinners, etc. 

#10: Mumbai Indians – 8.0

At number 10, we have the Mumbai Indians with a rating of 8 for their best playing 11. Even before the tournament began, MI have gone through two shockers. They have lost the best pacer of the tournament, Jasprit Bumrah and their star overseas pacer, Jhye Richardson. With the loss of these two, the rating of Mumbai Indians drops down to just 8.

Nevertheless, MI have a good batting line-up with the likes of Captain Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tim David. However, it is the lower-order and bowling that is a worry for MI. They do have Archer, but how well he alone would respond? Apart from Archer, Jason Behrendorff would have to take up good responsibility.

Mumbai Indians Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Rohit Sharma [c], Ishan Kishan [wk], Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Arshad Khan, Jofra Archer, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla & Jason Behrendorff 

#9: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.068

Number 9 sees Kolkata Knight Riders with a rating of 8.068 for their best playing 11. It’s unfortunate, but KKR shall be without their Captain Shreyas Iyer for IPL 2023. The loss of Shreyas Iyer changes their playing quite a bit as now they will have to play wicket-keeper N. Jagadeesan to accommodate Shakib Al Hasan or David Wiese in their playing 11. 

Overall, KKR have a lot of talented young Indian players in their best playing 11. The likes of which include Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy, who are potent, but also quite young. But they do have good match-winners like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, etc.

Kolkata Knight Riders Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

N. Jagadeesan [wk], Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Shakib Al Hasan, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav & Varun Chakravarthy

#8: Rajasthan Royals – 8.318

The runners-up of IPL 2022 find themselves at the number 8 position, but by no means do they have a bad playing 11. As compared to IPL 2022, they have a better playing 11, but the loss of Prasidh Krishna has hurt their rating a bit. Also, similar to KKR, they rely on youngsters to deliver for them.

They have as many as four in their best playing 11 with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, and Kuldeep Sen. But to balance these four, they have big names like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult. Even though they are number 8, that doesn’t mean they can’t go all the way.  

Rajasthan Royals Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson [c&wk], Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen & Yuzvendra Chahal

#7: Delhi Capitals – 8.326

You could be surprised to see Delhi Capitals at the number 7 position, but that is only because Delhi lost their Captain and India’s best wicket-keeper, Rishabh pant. Without Pant, their rating goes down from 8.553 to 8.326 and ranking from number 5 to number 7. Without Pant, Delhi does have a few gaps; especially in their middle order.

The team would need the likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Lalit Yadav, Rovman Powell, and even Manish Pandey when he plays to come out well. Their top-order and bowling line-up is quite strong, and those are the players who will have to score a lot of runs and take a lot of wickets. 

Delhi Capitals Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

David Warner [c], Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan [wk], Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel,  Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar & Khaleel Ahmed

#6: Punjab Kings – 8.341

At number 6, we have Punjab Kings, who have a playing 11 rating of 8.341. The loss of Jonny Bairstow is a big void to fill for them as their rating went down from 8.644 to 8.341 and their ranking went down from number 3 to number 6. Nevertheless, they are still quite potent in some departments. With Shikhar Dhawan at the helm, expect a calm atmosphere in their dressing room. 

Punjab Kings Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Shikhar Dhawan [c], Prabsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma [wk], Shahrukh Khan, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar & Arshdeep Singh

#5: Lucknow Super Giants – 8.477

At number 5, we have the Lucknow Super Giants, who look quite strong on paper with their playing 11. They look quite balanced from all departments. However, it is their inexperienced bowling that has reduced their rating a bit. The likes of Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, and Avesh Khan are quite potent, but they still are not in contention of India yet. Barring that, the KL Rahul led LSG have a strong playing 11 to compete in the tournament. 

Lucknow Super Giants Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

KL Rahul [c], Quinton de Kock [wk], Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mark Wood & Avesh Khan

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ALSO READ: IPL 2023: Ranking All 10 Teams Based on their Best Spinners

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#4: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.5

At number 4, we have the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who seems to have got a revamped squad for IPL 2023. They have a strong batting line-up with the likes of Harry Brook or Glenn Phillips coming at 6. Then they have two good all-rounders in the form of Marco Jansen and Washington Sundar.

The bowling line-up for SRH looks good with the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T. Natarajan, and Umran Malik. The overall playing 11 does seem quite potent with hardly any gaps. While It may seem all rosy from the outset, it is the lack of IPL experience that could come their way. If not, they have the capability to qualify for Playoffs if they bring their A-game.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram [c], Glenn Phillips [wk], Harry Brook, Marco Jansen, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T. Natarajan & Umran Malik

#3: Gujarat Titans – 8.576

At number 3, we have the IPL 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans. Gujarat are the prime example of how one should ignore on-paper 11, and just bring out the best from whatever resources one has. They had one of the worst playing 11s on paper in 2022, but still went on to win the tournament. 

Overall, they seem to have bettered their playing 11 this time around with the addition of Kane Williamson, Odean Smith, and Shivam Mavi. Williamson provides for a good balance at the number 3 position, and Smith can hit quite well as a finisher. With Hardik at the helm and everyone performing to their potential, we should hopefully see a similar performance in 2023. 

Gujarat Titans Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha [wk], Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya [c], David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Odean Smith, Rashid Khan, Shivam Mavi, Mohammed Shami & R Sai Kishore

#2: Chennai Super Kings – 8.697

Chennai Super Kings have the second-best playing 11 in IPL 2023 with a rating of 8.697. CSK have stacked up a brilliant team that gives them seven bowling options, and a batting depth until 9. The only thing that could worry them is the lack of death bowling options on non-Chennai pitches. But ignoring that, they are well stacked up to bring their A game on Chennai pitches. 

Chennai Super Kings Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni [c&wk], Shivam Dube, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana & Mukesh Choudhary 

#1: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8.788

Finally, for the best playing 11 on paper, we have the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are almost identical in their playing 11 as we saw in 2022, but with players being in better form. They seem to have got everything. A strong top-order, brilliant finishers, and a world-class pace attack. The only minor issue that they have is middle-order. But if Mahipal Lomror or Suyash Prabhudessai can score well, their issue is 100% solved. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023:

Faf du Plessis [c], Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik [wk], Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

So, that’s about the best playing 11 for all 10 teams for IPL 2023. While the rating ranks RCB, CSK, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans as the top 4, expect SRH, LSG, and RR to sneak in a surprise with their performance this year. 

Thanks for reading! Looking at the latest playing 11 of all 10 teams for IPL 2023, which one feels the best? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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