The league stage of IPL 2023 concluded on Sunday, May 21, with two entertaining matches. Sunrisers Hyderabad finished at the bottom of the standings following their loss to the Mumbai Indians. It was a must win or get knocked out game for MI, who required the Gujarat Titans to defeat the Royal Challengers Bangalore .
Unfortunately for RCB, they were knocked out from the competition after losing in the final over to table toppers Gujarat. As a consequence, MI edged over RCB to advance to the knockout stages.
The top four teams of the league stage this year are Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Mumbai Indians.
Apart from the previously mentioned franchises, the remaining six teams also played some exciting matches throughout the league round. Although they failed to deliver consistent results as a group and were knocked out, several individuals outperformed everyone and were outstanding in their particular fields.
Here is the best XI from the teams who did not make the playoffs:
Faf du Plessis and Yashasvi Jaiswal – Openers
This best XI’s innings open with Faf du Plessis and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Faf and Jaiswal were both outstanding for their respective franchises in IPL 2023.
Faf has the most fifties (8) in the tournament’s league phase. He also has the most runs after the 70 group-stage matches. The South African scored 730 runs with a 56.1 average. Faf also serves as the captain of this fictitious team.
Jaiswal was maybe the season’s best find. The uncapped 21-year-old outperformed most of the league’s best batsmen, including his partner Jos Buttler.
For Rajasthan Royals, he scored 625 runs at a strike rate of 163. He also scored his first IPL hundred before setting the record for the quickest IPL fifty (in 13 balls vs KKR).
Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Heinrich Klassen (WK), and Rinku Singh – Middle order
Virat Kohli’s dream of winning the trophy has gone unfulfilled for 16th season now. However as a batter, he was on fire and was the finest RCB batter along with Faf du Plessis.
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore captain finished his season with 639 runs at an average of 53.25, including 6 fifties. He also smashed two consecutive hundreds, establishing his domination in the majority of RCB’s games.
Glenn Maxwell is yet another RCB player to be included on this best XI list. The ‘Fab 3’ of Faf, Kohli, and Maxwell led the Bangalore franchise throughout the season, consistently delivering performances.
Maxwell broke the 400-run mark for the third time in his 11 year IPL career. In IPL 2023, the Australian averaged 33.33 with a strike rate of 183. He also hit five fifties, Maxwell’s 2nd highest in an IPL season.
Heinrich Klassen of SRH bats at No 5, and he will also maintain wickets for this squad. The South African batter was also outstanding for SRH, a squad that failed significantly.
Klassen was always the saviour for the Hyderabad franchise, hitting 448 runs in just 11 innings with a strike rate of more than 177. Rahul Tripathi was SRH’s second greatest batter, with 273 runs in 13 innings.
Rinku Singh of KKR completes the best XI’s middle order. The left hander finally got his chance to shine in front of the world. He hit five consecutive sixes to help KKR script a historic run chase vs GT.
Rinku has developed into an explosive finisher who has won several KKR games on his own. In total, the 25-year-old scored 476 runs for a fantastic average of just under 60 and a strike rate of 149.53.
Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy and Yuzvendra Chahal – Spinners
Axar Patel outperformed everyone at Delhi Capitals camp. The all-rounder has been in excellent form, particularly with the bat. He scored 283 runs at an average of more than 28 while batting lower in the order.
Axar was the second highest run scorer for DC this season and the second highest wicket taker too. Axar’s economy rate of 7.19 was the best among the DC bowlers after he took 11 wickets in 13 innings.
Moving on to the special bowlers of the best XI, Varun Chakravarthy and Yuzvendra Chahal had outstanding IPL 2023 performances. Both spnners finished their seasons in the top five wicket takers.
Chakravarthy of KKR had a dismal IPL 2022, but he responded to the situation this time and was the top bowler for Kolkata. In 14 innings, he grabbed 20 wickets at an average of 21.45 which was his best ever tally in any IPL season.
Yuzvendra Chahal continued his wicket taking streak for Rajasthan where he left off in IPL 2022. The leg spinner finished the IPL 2023 league phase as the 2nd highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets at an average of 20.57.
Chahal also took on some death bowling responsibilities. He grabbed 11 of his season’s 21 wickets between overs 16 and 20.
Trent Boult and Mohammed Siraj – Pacers
Trent Boult and Mohammed Siraj would be the two pacers in the XI. Both were fantastic for their respective teams. They struck critical blows for their respective sides early in the game.
In his second season with RR, Boult grabbed 13 wickets in ten innings with a strike rate of under 18 and an economy rate of 8.21. Although RR favoured Adam Zampa over Boult on slower tracks. Boult was successful more often than not.
Mohammed Siraj, RCB’s outstanding speedster is at No. 11 of the best XI. Siraj was the finest Indian pacer this season. Siraj bowled his heart out in practically every game and also produced some thrilling fast bowling attacks.
He took 19 wickets at an average of less than 20. Despite bowling difficult overs for his team, Siraj’s economy rate of 7.5 was commendable.
Best XI
Faf du Plessis (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Heinrich Klassen (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Trent Boult, Varun Chakravarthy, Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Siraj.
