The IPL 2023 is into its business end of the tournament as it has entered the last week of the league phase stage. So far, only one team – Gujarat Titans – has secured a playoff spot while two teams at the bottom of the points table – Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad – have been eliminated from the playoff race. Rest 7 teams are still in contention for the remaining 3 playoff spots.
There have been a number of outstanding individual performances and performers in the IPL 2023, both Indian and overseas. So today we thought of making an XI of best performing overseas players in the IPL 2023. We have adhered to the IPL rule of keeping a maximum of 4 overseas players in the XI.
Here is the best overseas XI of IPL 2023:
Faf du Plessis (C)
Faf du Plessis has been at his consistent best in IPL 2023. The RCB captain and opener is currently the leading run-scorer of the season, holding the Orange Cap, and became the first batsman to breach 600 runs in IPL 2023. After 12 games, Faf averages 57 with a strike rate of 154 having notched up 7 half-centuries – the most this season by a batter so far.
Devon Conway
Devon Conway, the left-handed CSK opener, has cemented his place to such an extent at the top that CSK couldn’t find a place for even Ben Stokes. Currently the 4th highest run-scorer in the season, Conway has amassed 498 runs in 13 innings at an average close to 50 and strike rate of 134 with the help of 5 fifties.
Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell has been arguably the best number 4 batsman this season so far – most runs at that position in the tournament. He’s come in at number 3 as well in a few matches. Overall, Maxwell has clattered 384 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 182 with 5 half-centuries to his name.
Heinrich Klaasen
In his first full IPL season, Heinrich Klaasen has left a big mark on the tournament with his brilliant middle-order performances for SRH. In IPL 2023 so far, Heinrich Klaasen has been one of the bright spots for SRH in their another dull season with 326 runs in 9 innings and has smashed those runs at a strike rate of 172.
Nicholas Pooran (wk)
Bought for INR 16 crore, Nicholas Pooran has been a proper ball marauder in IPL 2023. One of the few batters who doesn’t need any time to set in, Pooran has plundered 292 runs at a strike rate of 173 while mostly coming in the latter part of LSG’s innings. Pooran has whacked at a strike rate of 192 in the death overs.
Marcus Stoinis
LSG had picked up Stoinis as one of their early draft players and the Australian has repaid their faith. In IPL 2023, Stoinis has 279 runs at a strike rate of 142. He’s also taken 5 wickets.
Shimron Hetmyer
Hetmyer has shown elite levels in finishing in the first half of the season for the Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed West Indian has clattered 253 runs at a strike rate of 149. Hetmyer has thumped at strike rate of 193 in slog overs this season.
Rashid Khan
A serial T20 match-winner, even though Rashid Khan hasn’t been at his best in the IPL 2023, the Afghanistan cricketer has made significant contributions to GT’s run at the top of the table. Including a hat-trick, Rashid has taken 23 wickets in 13 games.
Matheesha Pathirana
The Sri Lankan youngster has been a crucial part of CSK’s success so far in the tournament, and without whom CSK perhaps wouldn’t have been in the second position in the points table that they are now.
Pathirana has taken 12 wickets in the death overs, at an average of 11.33 and a brilliant economy of 8.32. He’s bowled 37 dot balls in the death overs – the most by any bowler in the tournament.
Trent Boult
Trent Boult has attested his status as arguably the best new ball bowler of his generation and has regularly given RR early strikes. Boult has snapped up 12 wickets in 9 matches and maintained a good economy of 8.14.
Nathan Ellis
Nathan Ellis has been so good for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023 that he’s even kept Kagiso Rabada on the bench. The Australian speedster has taken 12 wickets in 8 innings; his economy of 8.63 is laudable considering his bowls a major chunk of his overs in the latter part of the innings.
