The IPL 2023 has kick-started with some high-scoring matches. Fours and sixes have been galore in the tournament so far.
Interestingly, contrary to the initial matches of the previous editions where the chasing teams were successful in the initial phase of the tournament, in the IPL 2023, 3 of the first 4 matches have been won by teams batting first.
One of the reasons, some believe, is the Impact Player rule that has helped the teams batting first play an extra batter, which can be then replaced with a bowler when they try to defend their total.
We picked 4 teams, on their squad strength and the form of the players, that we feel will finish in the playoffs.
Here are the 4 strongest contenders for the playoff spots in IPL 2023:
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG went big on Nicholas Pooran in the auction and bagged him for INR 16 crore, roping him in for his destructiveness with the bat and future potential. Kyle Mayers, another new addition, has already won them one the first match along with Mark Wood.
The Impact Player rule means LSG can have an extra batter and might finally embolden KL Rahul to bat in a free-flowing manner as he can perhaps be the best batter in the world at that. Quinton de Kock partners
From top to a strong middle-order to perhaps the best pace attack in the tournament – Wood, Avesh, and Mohsin – LSG have all ingredients to go all the way this time in IPL 2023.
Rajasthan Royals
The Impact Player rule has come as a blessing to Rajasthan Royals, who lost in the IPL 2022 – last season they struggled with the balance of the side and were a batter short. They remedied it by buying Jason Holder, but now with the Impact Player, they will have a complete batting line-up of 7 batters and won’t be left short on the bowling front by bringing in the Impact Player.
RR have a destructive top 3 of Buttler, Jaiswal, and Samson, followed by Padikkal and Hetmyer. In the bowling department, they have the experience of Boult, Ashwin, Chahal and Holder. RR finally look good of a team enough to be able to lift the IPL trophy again.
Gujarat Titans
The defending champions Gujarat Titans had rectified their middle-order issue with the inclusion of Kane Williamson. To their bad luck, Williamson got injured and has been ruled out of the tournament.
Shubman Gill has become a better batsman and a more mature thinker than he was last year and that will allay some of the batting concerns for GT, who bore a similar appearance this time to their title-winning side last year. Alzarri Joseph has risen in prominence in the pace world and so has Hardik Pandya in the past year. And there’s the serial T20 match-winner Rashid Khan to win games with ball and bat.
Gujarat Titans could well be on their way to becoming the 3rd team to successfully defend their IPL title.
Mumbai Indians
Despite losing Bumrah and Richardson to injuries, Mumbai Indians have a solid team, and at least their first XI is, on its day, good enough to beat any team in the competition.
Archer and Behrendorff, along with Cam Green will handle MI’s pace workload while veteran spinner Piyush Chawla is there to lead the spin attack comprising young and impressive spinners Shokeen and Kartikeya.
They batting might is enviable with Rohit, Kishan – both, though need some form – followed by the deadly group of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, and Cam Green and Ramandeep Singh.
Mumbai Indians have failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last two seasons, but might just push into this year.
