At the halfway point of the league stage in IPL 2023, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are currently leading the points table with five wins and two losses from seven games. Gujarat Titans (GT), the defending champions, also have 10 points, but they are currently below CSK due to their net run rate.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals (RR), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) all have eight points each. The bottom half of the IPL 2023 points table at the halfway mark of the league stage includes Mumbai Indians (six points), Kolkata Knight Riders (six points), Sunrisers Hyderabad (four points), and Delhi Capitals (four points).
Throughout the 35 games played so far, numerous individual performances have been outstanding, with several finishers playing crucial roles in their respective franchises. This feature will highlight the top five finishers from the first half of the league stage in IPL 2023.
Shimron Hetmyer – Rajasthan Royals
RR’s Shimron Hetmyer has been in terrific form in IPL 2023, scoring 188 runs in 7 matches at an average of 62.67 and a strike rate of 166.37. He played a match-winning knock of 56* off 26 balls against GT while chasing 178. Hetmyer has been consistent, contributing 36 off 18 against Punjab Kings, 39* off 21 against Delhi Capitals, and 30* off 18 against Chennai Super Kings.
Rinku Singh – Kolkata Knight Riders
Despite KKR’s struggles in IPL 2023, Rinku Singh has been a ray of hope for the team. The aggressive left-hander has scored 233 runs in seven matches, averaging 58.25 at a strike rate of 148. In a match against Gujarat Titans, he hit five sixes in the final over to secure an unlikely win. Singh has also registered impressive scores of 46 against RCB, 58 not out against SRH, and 53 not out against CSK.
David Miller – Gujarat Titans
David Miller continues his excellent form for GT from last season, scoring 148 runs in six games with an average of 49.33 and a strike rate of 146.53. The South African batter hit 46 runs off 22 balls during the team’s win over the Mumbai Indians, partnering with Abhinav Manohar. He also made significant contributions of 46 off 30 balls against Rajasthan Royals and 31* off 16 against the Delhi Capitals.
Jitesh Sharma – Punjab Kings
Jitesh Sharma has been a bright spot for PBKS in IPL 2023, performing well as a hard-hitting keeper-batter towards the end of the innings. With 145 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 149.48, Sharma played scintillating cameos such as 41 off 27 balls in Punjab’s loss to Bangalore, and 25 off seven deliveries with four sixes in the win over Mumbai. The 29-year-old also contributed swift 20s against Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Kolkata.
Nicholas Pooran – Lucknow Super Giants
Nicholas Pooran has found success in his role as a finisher for LSG in IPL 2023, after struggling in past seasons. He has scored 171 runs in seven matches with an impressive strike rate of 185.86. Pooran was Player of the Match for his 19-ball 62 in a successful chase against RCB. He also contributed important innings of 36, 32, and 29 runs against Delhi, CSK, and Rajasthan, respectively.
Special Mentions: Tim David (Mumbai Indians) and Rahul Tewatia (Gujarat Titans)
Tim David and Rahul Tewatia have also played important roles as finishers for their respective teams, Mumbai and Gujarat.
David has scored 113 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 143.03, contributing valuable cameos.
Tewatia has finished off a couple of games in his unique style this season. He hit a six and a four to seal GT’s victory over CSK and also smashed the winning boundary against Punjab in the last over. In the game against MI, he came in and hammered 20* off just five deliveries with the help of three sixes.
