Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Was IPL 2023 the best IPL ever? Here’s what fans think | IPL 2023 fan poll: what did fans think of the tournament?
There have been many memorable matches over the 16 years of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, has there been a better season than the 2023 edition? Have we ever had a playoffs’ race so intense and exciting? Or the sheer number of incredible last-ball finishes, despite there not being a Super Over?
The finish to IPL 2023 was worthy of the season it was. Ravindra Jadeja hit a four and six off the final two balls to hand Chennai Super Kings (CSK) their record-equalling fifth title, sending millions of fans into delirium on a memorable night in the tournament’s history.
We at CricBlog put it to the fans to share their thoughts on the 2023 edition. Over 17,000 participants across Twitter and cricblog.net had their say on some key talking points, including whether 2023 is the best season to date and if the impact player rule should return in IPL 2024.
CricBlog survey: Two-thirds of respondents say IPL 2023 is the best ever edition of the tournament
67% of respondents believe there hasn’t been a season as good and enthralling as IPL 2023. Not only did this tournament produce the most 200+ totals out of any other, but it was drama and close finishes that captured fans. Also, the progression of young talent including Rinku Singh, Akash Madhwal, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan has made this a memorable IPL.
Should the impact player rule stay or go?
It was almost a 50/50 split regarding the impact player rule. Just over half (51%) said they don’t want the rule to return in IPL 2024, with the belief that cricket should just be 11 against 11. Those in favour said it gives the opportunity for more domestic talent to showcase their skills, with Dhruv Jurel a prime example.
Given the success of IPL 2023 as a whole, it will not be a surprise if administrators persist with this rule next season.
Length of the IPL & most impressive/disappointing teams
61% of respondents said that the current length of the IPL is ‘just right’, compared to 23% who believe it is too long and 16% too short. Interestingly, the tournament could expand to 94 matches within the next four to five years, up from the current 74 over a two-month period.
In terms of the most impressive team, 50% of respondents chose eventual champions CSK, followed by 21% for Gujarat Titans (GT) and 17% for Mumbai Indians (MI). MI were written off by pundits before the tournament and even in its early stages, before the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Cameron Green produced memorable performances with the bat to steer the team to Qualifier 2.
The most disappointing team according to fans was unsurprisingly Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with 37% of votes. The Orange Army arguably had the best auction of any team, but ended up winning just four matches to finish bottom. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) came in second at 23%, pipping Rajasthan Royals (18%) and Delhi Capitals (17%).
Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami were voted best batsman and bowler respectively.
A big thank you to all who voted! If you’d like to check out more of CricBlog’s research involving fans, visit our Future of Cricket survey results to see what the game may look like in the coming years.
