IPL 2023: how wide does the talent spread?
This is the burning question. How deep is the talent in IPL 2023?
I would say a sight wider than an ordinary swipe of Australian-made Vegemite! See you next week—time for breakfast and an IPL-Kayo mini! No, sorry, please come back!
It is not that Cricket Australia's BBL is terrible; it is more that the IPL has progressed to a different level in the T20 franchise league sphere—the across-the-board playing standards in 2023 have been exceptional.
Game 54—Mumbai Indians (MI) vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)—saw Mumbai’s Suryakumar Yadav dismantle Faf du Plessis’ RCB Challengers.
Chasing 200, MI rode on the coat-tails of Suryakumar Yadav's 35-ball 83, ably supported by young gun Nehal Wadhera's unbeaten 34-ball 52, chasing down the RCB target in just 16.3 overs—that’s a team strike rate (SR) of 202! As commentator Danny Morrison would say, "Holy hell, there’s a plane to catch!"
In the midst of the current IPL season, Suryakumar Yadav appears to have been overshadowed by a wave of emerging domestic talent. However, it is important to note that he has not been forgotten or relegated to the bench. Instead, the focus has shifted towards the surge of promising young talent who are making their own mark. Today, we will delve into this pool of talent, hopefully making insightful comparisons and exploring the exciting developments in IPL 2023.
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Suryakumar Yadav—remains atop the pile for mine. His 2023 IPL batting impact (BI) numbers would be off the charts—a metric calculated in any number of ways and is often unique to that team’s preference.
IPL 2023 from 11 matches he has 376 runs, average 34.18, and a crazy SR of 186.14. And if you isolate his best three games:
83 from 35, SR 237.14-result win.
66 from 31, SR 212.9-result win
57 from 26, SR 219.23-result loss
Also factor in his boundary count; normally batting in the four spot: 41 fours and 18 sixes.
Suryakumar’s range of scoring options is endless. It seems like he starts in the traditional right-hander's arc of wide mid-wicket around to the straight boundaries, generally taking balls from the stumps. As bowlers adjust and start to play defence, they move their line wide of the off-stump; now they start disappearing through and over cover. More fielders are needed in front of the wicket; the next move is normal and reverse ramps, lifting the ball behind himself, off, and leg side. He has a wicked a leg side pick-up shot.
Starting to get the picture? When Suryakumar's on, he’s almost unstoppable. He just moves the ball around the clock face, from 15 past the hour, around to 10 past clockwise. Rinse and repeat. And off he goes again.
Talking of the tsunami of talent, here are a few more names you might not be so familiar with—there is a definite batting bias here; apologies to the trundlers!
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Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajasthan Royals, hails from the same side of the tracks as fellow southpaw, David Warner. In fact, probably one set over. Jaiswal slept in a tent after moving to Mumbai to pursue his cricketing dreams. Those humble beginnings have given way to a rare talent that seemingly cannot be denied. Jaiswal carried outstanding domestic first-class form into the current IPL season and is only headed by Faf du Plessis in the runs scored column.
I mentioned Mr. Warner, in comparison Jaiswal now has 575 runs from 12 hits, with a SR of 167.15 opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals. Warner has 330 runs from 11 hits, with a SR of 119.57 opening for the Delhi Capitals.
Only 21, Jaiswal has already played 35 IPL games, his career numbers are solid: average 33, SR 149.6. And, IPL 2023 will no doubt catapult him into national consideration across all formats.
Prodigies are not uncommon in Indian cricket. Ishan Kishan looks every bit the modern Indian cricket superstar—and he plays for the right team! Kishan has benefited tremendously from the platform that the IPL has provided. A free-wheeling southpaw who now finds himself opening for Mumbai, there is a pleasing mix of finesse and power in his batting. He appears to be developing the knack of matching his aggression with the situation. Several times this season, he’s seized the initiative when Rohit Sharma has struggled at the other end.
At 24, Kishan is a veteran of 86 IPL games. In his career, he averages 29.4, SR 133.8. IPL 2023 sees him on 335 runs from 11 hits; average 30.45, SR 142.55.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings. Another opener, more in the classical Rohit Sharma mould. Gaikwad is fluid and measured at the same time. From childhood, he was seen as a batting prodigy; stardom was a matter of when, not if. IPL 2023 sees Gaikwad sixth on the run aggregate ladder with 408 runs from 11 hits. He averages 40.80 and has a SR of 147.29. His boundary percentage is interesting: 31 fours and 21 sixes; the six percentage is high at 40% of total boundaries.
Gaikwad scored 635 runs in IPL 2021 helping CSK to the title. The Super Kings will be hoping for more of the same this time around.
Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals) has a middle name that will resonate with my vintage—Vishwanath. Fast forwards to 2023, and Samson looks like a player in his own right. No spring chicken, Samson has been around for a decade, consistently putting up positive numbers. Mix in sound leadership qualities, and you have an excellent all-round package. IPL 2023 sees him with 356 runs, average 35.60, and a healthy SR of 156.14.
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Other notables to watch would be Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders), 353 runs, average 50.42, SR 146.47. Singh is fast developing into a dependable finisher. At this point his cricket has been confined to IPL action. Also keep a close eye on Shivam Dube (Chennai Super Kings), a lanky southpaw with power to burn and extra long levers, which he is using to damaging affect. Dube has 315 runs, average 35.0, SR 159.89, batting in the middle order. Lastly, Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) makes the list as an emerging all-rounder.
Before I go—the piece has stretched on a bit. I wanted to do a brief comparison with BBL11.
Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers) led the way with 458 runs, average 35.23, and a SR of 144.48. Alongside him was Aaron Hardie (Perth Scorchers), 460 runs, average 41.82, and a SR of 141.10. The highest SR in the top ten run scorers was Tim David with 160.91.
The IPL’s spread of talent is wider; there’s no doubting that. The batting numbers are higher—a mitigating factor here is ground dimensions. On average, I would say Indian grounds are 10–20% smaller than Australia’s. The depth of spin talent is deeper in the IPL, both attacking and defensive spinners. Without an ounce of supporting evidence, I would say the overall standard of wicketkeeping is higher. And, wait for this, I have absolutely no doubt that the quality of umpiring is higher—both domestic and international umpires. I wonder if this has been as noticeable to you as it has to me.
Oh, before you say, yes, the IPL has been around longer than the BBL!
As always, thank you for being here. And have a great weekend, wherever you are.
