IPL 2023 promises to be a season full of anticipation and excitement, with many of the world’s best players going head-to-head in the 16th edition of the tournament. For some players, however, this season could decide their future in the IPL – a good performance will come as a much-needed boost, while disappointment could spell trouble. Here, we look at three players hoping to make or break their IPL careers in the upcoming IPL 2023 season.
1) Manish Pandey
Over the last three seasons, Pandey has played 30 games, managing to rack up a total of 805 runs with an unimpressive strike rate of 124.03. 2022 was especially difficult for him, as he only featured in six games and scored 88 runs with a strike rate of 110. The Delhi Capitals have high hopes for Pandey this year, signing him for a hefty sum of 2.4 crores, indicating the team’s desperation for a reliable Indian batsman. With another disappointing season under his belt, IPL franchises could be less likely to take a risk on Pandey.
2) Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane’s career has declined recently, having been dropped from the Indian Test side and omitted from the BCCI’s annual contract list. His T20 credentials have also been questioned lately. He must prove himself if he expects to play in future IPL tournaments. Unfortunately, his numbers since 2020 in the IPL have been far from impressive – 18 appearances with 254 runs scored and a below-par strike rate of 104.52. If Rahane wants to get back into the reckoning, he must focus on performing well this IPL 2023.
3) Jaydev Unadkat
Jaydev Unadkat, known for his remarkable domestic cricket performance, has yet to show the same success in the IPL. In the 44 games he has featured in since 2018, his wicket-taking ability has been limited, and his economy rate is comparably high. The Lucknow Supergiants picked him up at the mini-auction for 50 Lakhs, revealing his lack of form over the years. Unadkat needs a turnaround this IPL 2023 season if he wishes to remain in contention for IPL matches in the future.
