IPL 2023: Ranking All IPL 10 Teams Based on Their Potential Opening Partnership

IPL 2023: The IPL has been widely regarded for its entertaining gameplay and for providing an enormously vivid platform for national and international talents. Many great batsmen have ruled the shorter format, especially the players who could score quick runs throughout all phases of the game.

In the game of the greatest batters, the highest-scoring and most prominent set of players is mostly placed at the top of the batting order. It is the openers who get to spend the most time on the batting crease and get the opportunity to maximize the score. It is also noted that often the opening partnerships lead the way to successful batting innings.

Let's take a look at the 10 teams rating (between 5 to 10) and their best possible opening pair:?

10. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) - Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rating: 5/10

The Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the most unconvincing squads on team sheets. KKR probably has the weakest batting order in the league, and even their opening pair is not a great one. Venky Iyer, though he began his IPL career on a commanding note and was regarded for his aggressive intent, soon failed miserably due to his lack of experience and proper batting skills.

Gurbaz, on the other hand, is also a player with aggressive intent and has recently gained terrific form in international cricket, but despite his form, he is not very dependable as he is going to make his IPL debut in IPL 2023.

9. Mumbai Indians (MI) - Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan

Rating: 5/10

The Mumbai Indians have been the most consistent performers of the IPL, having played several intriguing seasons and winning a total of five titles. However, in recent years, MI has failed miserably, and the biggest cause has been the repetitive failure of its openers.

The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has in recent times failed to perform with the willow in hand, and therefore the MI side, who were highly dependent on their captain to score quick runs at the top of the order, experienced a terrible downfall at the top of the order. Ishan Kishan, who was one of the most reliable players in the MI setup, has also failed in recent times, and his dependability is questioned.?We'll have to see his performance in IPL 2023 to judge the potential of this duo.

8. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) - Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma

Rating: 6/10

SRH has been a consistent performer since 2016, but has failed to do so in the last few years. However, the SRH management took a tough call and bid adieu to their skipper and star performer, Williamson, due to his bad form. With many new inclusions in the IPL 2023 mini-auction, SRH has a completely changed setup, and with a stunning middle order to arrive, the openers can have the intent to use the powerplay to the fullest.

With the arrival of Mayank Agarwal, he is expected to open the innings with the talented Abhishek Sharma, who is equally explosive on the other side. They both are expected to give an explosive and stable start to the SRH batting innings.

7. Gujarat Titans (GT) - Shubman Gill and Kane Williamson

Rating: 6.5/10

The debutante in the last season showed a prolific debut in their first season. The Titans lacked proficiency in their batting order, especially at the top of the order. Players like Saha, who helped GT in the last season, might not be present due to age and hence require a replacement and the Titans have included the magnificent kiwi ex-skipper, Kane Williamson.

But Kane has not been in form in recent times and that's a concern for the Titans. However, the plus point for the Titans is their inform batter, Shubman Gill, who is expected to sizzle for the Titans at the top of the order in IPL 2023. Gill's presence marks the excellence of the Titan's batting setup.?

6. Punjab Kings (PBKS) - Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan

Rating: 7/10

The Kings are having a convenient batting setup with the powerful Englishman, Jonny Bairstow at the top of the order. Though the Englishman has been ruled out of international cricket for a long time, since last summer due to his leg injury.

However, the opener has always proved his commanding presence in the shorter format and is expected to make a remarkable return in the IPL 2023. On the other side stands veteran Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan, the second-highest scorer in the history of the IPL, but his efficiency is doubted in recent times as his form is falling apart with age.?

5. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) - Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis

Rating: 7/10

RCB are one of the most celebrated teams in the history of the tournament. They are known to enjoy an extensive fanbase who have always kept RCB in the limelight. Their batting is led by the world's current best all-format player and veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli. Kohli has been the star performer in the league throughout all these years and is expected to excel at the top of the order in IPL 2023 as well

The Challengers would hope that Kohli continues his splendid form of limited-overs cricket. Alongside Kohli is the protea veteran du Plessis, who is known for building an aggressive and efficient partnership at the top of the order. The RCB pair is extensively experienced but their efficiency is sometimes questioned due to their lack of form and du Plessis' absence from international cricket.

4. Delhi Capitals (DC) - Prithvi Shaw and David Warner

Rating: 7.5/10

Delhi Capitals have been performing superiorly since 2019, and the anchor of their performance has been their batters, especially their opening pairs, previously including Prithvi Shaw and Dhawan and now forming the pair with the pocket bomb Warner and Shaw. The Aussie opener is the most successful overseas player who has set India as his second home, as he has ruled the shorter format as a powerful and versatile opener often known for scoring runs quickly and efficiently at the top of the order.

Shaw on the other hand is an equally destructive partner at the other hand who is versatile at the top of the order and has been consistent over the years. But this time Warner's limited-overs form is highly debatable and Shaw has been in exile from International cricket. However, they are expected to have a decent performance together in IPL 2023.

3. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) - KL Rahul and Quinton De Kock

Rating: 8/10

Though the team marked their debut in the last season, the opening stand of the team consists of highly experienced players, rather IPL veterans like Rahul and QDK. Both these players are outstanding performers, especially De Kock the aggressive partner who is a stylish left-handed batter who often exposes the leg side and Indian grounds are often made with shorter leg side boundaries for left-handers.

On the other hand, Rahul is a player who comforts his partner by stirring a handy partnership with them and later launches assaults on the opponent bowlers. These two together form one of the most ideal opening pairs for the shorter format of the game.

2. Rajasthan Royals (RR) - Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rating: 8.5/10

The team marked their prolific run in the last season, the opening stand of the team consists of both highly experienced and young talented players, IPL veteran Jos Buttler and young sprout Y.Jaiswal. Both these players are outstanding performers, especially Buttler who laid a strong foundation for RR throughout the 2022 edition of the IPL, as he is the aggressive partner who is a stylish right-handed batter who often exposes the leg side and is a clean striker known for striking the ball towards the straight boundary and his shorts all around the park.

On the other hand, Jaiswal is a player who despite his inexperience comforts his partner by stirring a handy partnership with them and later launches assaults on the opponent bowlers. These two together are capable to put a firm opening stand.

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway

Rating: 9/10

Both the CSK team and its players have had an exquisite legacy in the IPL. They are highly rated due to their excellence and terrific form.

The opening stand of the team consists of highly talented players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. Both these players proved to be outstanding performers for CSK last season despite their weak run in the tournament, especially Conway the aggressive partner who is a snappy left-handed batter known for using long-leavers.

On the other hand, Gaikwad is a player who comforts his partner by stirring a handy partnership using both his intent and balance.

Also Read:- WPL 2023: Top 5 Batters to watch out for in WPL 2023