IPL 2023: Perfect Six a Side Squad Ranking for All 10 Teams

Gujarat Titans, the leader as we look at the ranking and rating of the best six-a-side squad for all 10 teams for IPL 2023. 

Before the inception of the Indian Premier League or T20 cricket, Hong Kong Sixes had taken the Cricketing world by storm. The fast-paced tournament had two teams playing a total of 6 players in a 5-over match. It had a unique take to cricket with many fans loving the game due to excitement and less time consumption.

Even though the tournament was famous, it didn’t get much recognition due to non-adaption to International or bigger teams. It was last played in 2017 but with limited player availability. While its adaption to other parts of the world seems difficult, wouldn’t it be interesting to see how all 10 teams fare for IPL 2023?

If we see the players of each team, there are at least 6-7 good players in each team. But the moment we talk about 12-14 players in each team, the quality of players and teams gets divided. But if we had to select only 6 players in each team, it would make up for fierce competition. With that as the base, let’s look at the ranking of all 10 teams for a 6-a-side squad. Before that, let’s look at some of the interesting points to arrive at the squad.

Every match of HK sixes is of 5 overs. While in HK, other than the keeper, all other bowlers have to bowl, we shall tweak this a little with at least 3 bowlers bowling in a ratio of 2:2:1. In addition, keeping the IPL rule intact, we should select a maximum of two overseas players only. Also, a wicket-keeper selection and primary captain selection is mandatory. 

Ranking the Best Six-a-Side Squad for All Teams for IPL 2023:

#10: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.500

Nitish Rana [c], Rahmanullah Gurbaz [wk], Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur & Varun Chakravarthy

At number 10, we have KKR, who are honestly better than their ranking. The team will have Rahmanullah Gurbaz as their main keeper with Andre Russell as the other overseas option. Nitish Rana selects for himself as the Captain and between Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh, Rinku deserves a go looking at the current form. For the bowlers, Shardul and Varun Chakravarthy make up the slot with Russel as the third bowler.

#9: Lucknow Super Giants – 8.597

Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran [wk], Krunal Pandya [c], Ravi Bishnoi & Avesh Khan

Coming to number 9, we have LSG, whose ranking and Rating get reduced due to the loss of their Captain and best player KL Rahul. Without KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya shall be the leader of the squad. For the overseas slots, look no other than wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Mark Wood would have been fantastic, but we could only select two overseas players. Meanwhile, Ayush Badoni, Avesh Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi make up the remaining three slots.

#8: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.667

Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram [c], Heinrich Klaasen [wk], Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Mayank Markande

Number 8 sees SRH, who have a decent six-a-side squad on paper. Aiden Markram shall lead the side with wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen as the other overseas player. Mayank Agarwal and Rahul Tripathi shall make up for the remaining two batting slots. Whereas Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mayank Markande shall make up for the bowling slots with Markram being the third bowler.

#7: Delhi Capitals – 8.708

David Warner [c], Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan [wk], Axar Patel, Anrich Nortje & Kuldeep Yadav

Number 7 sees Delhi Capitals, who have a decent six-a-side squad on paper. DC shall be led by David Warner with Pacer Anrich Nortje as the other option. Playing Mitchell Marsh for Nortje is also an option, but Nortje is one of the best pacers in the IPL. Without Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan will have to play as the keeper. Whereas out-of-form Prithvi Shaw, All-rounder Axar Patel, and Spinner Kuldeep Yadav shall make up for the remaining slots.

#6: Mumbai Indians – 8.958

Rohit Sharma [c], Ishan Kishan [wk], Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Jofra Archer & Piyush Chawla

Coming to number 6, we have Mumbai Indians, who are far better at selecting only 6 players than selecting 11 players. Rohit Sharma shall lead the squad with Ishan Kishan as the wicket-keeper. Cameron Green and Jofra Archer shall be the two overseas players in the squad. Whereas Piyush Chawla and Suryakumar Yadav shall make up for the remaining two slots. If they had Bumrah, they would have been in the top 4.

#5: Chennai Super Kings – 9.083

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway,  Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni [c&wk], Deepak Chahar & Maheesh Theekshana

Coming to number 6, we have MS Dhoni-led CSK. CSK’s 6-a-side looks strong with Devon Conway and Maheesh Theekshana as the Overseas options, Ruturaj Gaikwad as the opener and Ravindra Jadeja as the all-rounder. With Deepak Chahar as the pure bowling option, he shall be supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana to complete the 5 overs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni shall play the role of wicket-keeper finisher in the squad. Selecting two spinners as MS Dhoni is better off playing with that strategy. 

#4: Punjab Kings – 9.208

Shikhar Dhawan [c], Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma [wk], Sam Curran, Rahul Chahar & Arshdeep Singh

Coming to number 4, we have Punjab Kings, who are still better off without Jonny Bairstow. Shikhar Dhawan and Jitesh Sharma are the two solid Indian batters in the squad. Whereas All-rounders Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran make up for the overseas options. Other than these four, Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh are the two solid bowling options for PBKS. With Liam as the third bowler, they can also play as extra batter in place of Chahar.

#3: Rajasthan Royals – 9.250

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson [c&wk], Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult & Yuzvendra Chahal

Number 3 sees Rajasthan Royals, who have a potent six-a-side squad on paper. Sanju Samson shall lead the team and also be the wicket-keeper of the squad. Jos Buttler and Yashasvi shall open for RR with Ravichandran Ashwin at number 4. Although Ash isn’t a strong number 4, the team can’t let go of their best pacer Trent Boult. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal shall be the primary spinner in the squad.

#2: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 9.250

Faf du Plessis [c], Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik [wk], Harshal Patel & Mohammed Siraj

At Number 2, we have RCB, who have a superb squad for a six-a-side tournament. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli shall open the batting with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik to follow. Given the lack of a solid all-round option, Maxwell will have to bowl 1 over with Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj as the other pace options.

#1: Gujarat Titans – 9.417

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha [wk], Hardik Pandya [c], David Miller, Rashid Khan & Mohammed Shami

Finally, the best 6-a-side squad belongs to Gujarat Titans, who have everything that one can ask for. A solid opening pair of Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha is followed by the Captain all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Finisher David Miller. Whereas Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami complete the rest of the bowling line-up. Undoubtedly, they have the best six-a-side on paper.

So, that’s about the best six-a-side squad ranking of all 10 teams for IPL 2023. Even though the format won’t come back to life in IPL, it definitely gives us a good outlook on how teams would fare if they are playing with fewer players. It definitely makes up for a competitive tournament with quality players present in all teams.  

Thanks for reading! Looking at the ranking of all 10 teams squad for IPL 2023, which team could have won the tournament? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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