IPL 2023: With the TATA IPL 2023 coming near, all eyes are set on the big hits and shots. This TATA IPL season is going to be a fun-filled package with some of the best action. But what makes this tournament interesting are its sixes and fours! And for a batting team, what is the best chance to hit these boundaries? It is the powerplay overs. Basically, the first 6 overs of every inning are tagged as a powerplay.
For the period of these six overs, the bowling team is allowed to have only 2 fielders outside the 30-yard circle. So, the batting team just has to clear the in-field, and the ball races away to the fence as the grounds have a lightening fast outfield.
Here is a quick look at the performances and ratings (between 5 and 10) of all 10 IPL 2023 teams in the powerplay overs.
1) Punjab Kings (9/10) did a great job in the powerplay overs in TATA IPL 2022:
We would rate the Punjab Kings a 9/10 when it comes to the powerplay overs. The “Punjabi Munde” scored at a rate of 9.11 runs per over in the powerplay. The thing that worked in their favor was the left- and right-handed combination of the openers. Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal. Both these combinations were right-handed and left-handed. Shikhar has now been appointed as the skipper of the Punjab Kings. He has an added responsibility.
The thing that worked best for the Punjab Kings was that Bhanuka Rajapaksha looked unstoppable in the few innings that he played. He was playing glorious shots. There were many times when he scored 10-ball 30 or 9-ball 25. His innings were short but very impactful. They can try such an experiment this season as well.
2) Delhi Capitals (9/10) did a great job in the powerplay overs in the TATA IPL 2022:
The Delhi Capitals smashed the opposition at 9.02 runs per over in the powerplay overs. They also had a lefty-righty combination as their openers. They have two of the most explosive T20 openers this season as well. The dynamic duo of Prithvi Shaw and David Warner will give their services to the Delhi Capitals.
When Shaw gets going he looks unstoppable. The same is the case with David Warner. Warner is the captain this season and he has always done well with additional responsibility. Their number 3 batter is either Mitchell Marsh or Manish Pandey. This position will be crucial as the incoming batter has to carry on the momentum given to him. So, the Capitals will have to make a wise choice.
3) Rajasthan Royals get an 8/10 for their performance in the powerplay:
The Rajasthan Royals were a class apart in TATA IPL 2022. They had some of the most amazing powerplays. Jos Butler single-handedly destroyed most of the opposition. But at times it was Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal too. The Rajasthan Royals had plenty of options and they effectively made use of all of them.
There were instances when they sent Sanju Samson in at number 4 so that he could attack the opposition and shift the game back in favor of the team. They used him as a floater. This strategy can be deployed in TATA IPL 2023 as well. They managed to score 8.37 runs per over in the first six overs.
4) Gujarat Titans (8/10) scored 7.7 runs per over in the powerplay in the TATA IPL 2022 season:
The Gujarat Titans get a score of 8 out of 10 for their powerplay performance. This 8 is given because they did a great job with limited resources. The Titans did not have established batters as their openers. They just had Shubman Gill who was on and off during the TATA IPL 2022 season. They had to mix and match with Matthew Wade, Wriddhiman Saha, and Sai Sudarshan. They had multiple opening combinations but still managed to score at a good rate.
The trick that they used was very simple. Shubman Gill used to hold one end. They can try the same this time around. Their performance in the powerplay can improve as they have Kane Williamson as an opening option. Hardik Pandya at times came in at number 3 and that worked in their favor as well.
5) Chennai Super Kings (7/10) scored 7.44 runs per over in the powerplay:
The Chennai Super Kings are rated 6 because they had the resources but couldn’t use them appropriately. They had some of the top openers in world cricket. The presence of Rituraj Gaikwad and Devon Conway had frightened the opposition. They also had a choice to play Moeen Ali at number 3. Ambati Rayudu could have played at number 3 as well. Shivam Dube looks like an ideal number 4. With all these options, they still managed to score only 7.44 runs in an over in TATA IPL 2022.
MS Dhoni himself was very critical of the slow run rate in the powerplay. With that being said, they can certainly improve this season. They have another added option of Ajinkya Rahane who had a splendid SMAT 2022. Asking Moeen Ali to bat at number 3 is the most ideal thing. They can also use Ambati Rayudu as a floater in TATA IPL 2023
6) Mumbai Indians (6/10) scored at 7.43 runs per over in the powerplay:
The Mumbai Indians did a very poor job with the bat last season. Their best batter was Tilak Varma with 350+ runs. Ishan Kishan later joined the party by scoring 400+ runs but by that time it was too late. This team has all the resources to easily score 10 runs and over. They have batting depth as well. The opening combination of Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma is deadly. They have Suryakumar, the best T20 batter at number 3 in the TATA IPL 2023 season.
An option this season could be to ask Tim David or Cameron Green to bat at number 3. Their explosive nature of batting will get all the things in place. This will allow Rohit or Ishan to settle in and take the time that they require.
7) Lucknow Super Giants (6/10) scored at 7.44 runs per over in the powerplay during the TATA IPL 2022:
The Lucknow Super Giants have been given 6/10 as they also had the resources to do much better. They have two of the top three highest-getters in TATA IPL 2022. Quinton and KL did a fabulous job for them. But the team lacked the knock-out punch that could take them to victory. Their starts in the powerplay were very slow. The KL and De Kock combination works for them, but will it win them the big matches? That is the big question. De Kock struggles against off-spinners. And KL struggles against left-arm pace. Teams will exploit this in TATA IPL 2023.
To increase the run rate they have the option of Nicolas Pooran this season. Nicolas can bat at number 3 or 4. They also have the option to promote Marcus Stoinis up the order. With multiple such options, they can certainly manage to score 8 to 9 runs per over in TATA IPL 2023.
8) Kolkata Knight Riders (6/10) scored at 7.26 runs per over in the powerplay:
The Kolkata Knight Riders did a decent job with the limited resources that they had. They tried to open with Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer. But Iyer was off-color this season. The bowlers have seemingly figured out his weak spots. Ajinkya Rahane on the other hand looked solid but struggled with a slow strike rate. Sheldon Jackson was also given a chance but he failed to impress.
The Knight Riders can try to go back to one of their old tricks. They can float Sunil Narine up and down the order as required. This will allow them to maintain a decent run rate. In games when it is required, you can ask Sunil Narine to open and have a go at the bowlers. In other safer games, you can try a standard opener. Nitish Rana can be the other opening option. He is a left-hander too.
9) Royal Challengers Bangalore (6/10) scored 7.25 runs per over in the first 6 powerplay overs:
Royal Challengers Bangalore lacked an experienced opener to support Faf and this is what they lack this season too. But they can fix this void in one of the most classical ways. The best option for any team is to ask their best batters to open. So, RCB can also ask Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis to open. That will be the smartest thing to do. Another option could be to give Finn Allen an extended run.
Finn Allen’s game is like Bazz McCullum’s. In that style of play, you have a higher chance of failure. But if RCB can persist with Allen, he can easily score at 9 or 10 runs an over in the powerplay. He can easily clear the in-field with his lofted cover drive.
10) Sunrisers Hyderabad (6/10) scored at 7.01 runs per over in the first 6 powerplay overs:
The Sunrisers Hyderabad had the opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Kane Williamson. Kane had a horrific season, and the boat of the Sunrisers sank. The team couldn’t manage to find an alternative. But this season they have fixed their vows. Abhishek Sharma needs to be more expressive. His nature intent is to attack the ball and if he continues to play that way, it will help SRH.
Their opener this season will be Mayank Agarwal. So, the best player of spin in India will be opening for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in TATA IPL. He can counter-spin while Abhishek counters pace. Rahul Tripathi can walk in at number 3 with Brook at 4. They can easily manage to score 8 to 9 runs an over.
To know more go to TATA IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians Full Squad, Schedule, Best Players, Venue, Timings.
Read more such articles at MS Dhoni Can Play IPL 2024 Says Ex-Chennai Super Kings Star.
To know more go to the official website of the TATA IPL.