Home Blog Page 167

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
-
0
BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Chattogram Pitch Report

When it comes to perfect performances, we can look at Bangladesh’s effort in the second T20I. The Tigers were outstanding with bat and ball, displaying the kind of fearlessness and skill that has eluded them in this format over the years.

Litton Das is in rare form with the bat and gloves. Rony Talukdar has been a breath of fresh air. Shakib Al Hasan is at his all-round best. And, the pace bowlers are bowling beautifully. For Bangladesh fans, they will be hoping this continues not only today, but right up until next year’s T20 World Cup.

For Ireland, where do they go to from here? They have rarely had any good moments on this whole tour, beaten comprehensively in both the ODIs and T20Is so far. Today, how quickly they can break the dangerous Bangladesh opening stand and counter the Tigers’ spinners will be key.

Match Details

  • Location: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram.
  • Time: 2:00pm (local), 1:30pm (IST).
  • For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 2023 Possible Playing XIs

Bangladesh’s final batting order will depend on the start the in-form openers can provide. Also, the Tigers may give an opportunity to the likes of Rishad Hossain and Shoriful Islam.

Bangladesh: 1. Litton Das (wk), 2. Rony Talukdar, 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4. Towhid Hridoy, 5. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 6. Shamim Hossain, 7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8. Nasum Ahmed/Rishad Hossain, 9. Taskin Ahmed, 10. Mustafizur Rahman/Shoriful Islam, 11. Hasan Mahmud

It remains to be seen if Ireland stick with the same XI that has been struggling. Curtis Campher may bat higher up the order.

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling (c), 2. Ross Adair, 3. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4. Harry Tector, 5. Gareth Delany, 6. George Dockrell, 7. Curtis Campher, 8. Mark Adair, 9. Fionn Hand/Craig Young, 10. Barry McCarthy/Graham Hume, 11. Ben White

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Bangladesh:

  • Litton Das has belted scores of 26, 70, 50*, 47 and 83 in Ireland’s tour of Bangladesh. In 2023, Das has hit 603 runs in 18 T20s at an average of 35.47 and strike rate of 139.26.
  • Rony Talukdar has been a wonderful addition to this Bangladesh team. He has now struck scores of 21, 9, 24, 47 and 44 in five T20Is after a strong BPL campaign (425 runs, avg. 35.41, SR 129.17).
  • Shakib Al Hasan is coming off one of the great all-round displays. He scored 38* (17) and took 5/22 in the second T20I.
  • Shakib loves playing at Chattogram. In 29 T20s, he has struck 804 runs at an average of 38.28 and strike rate of 149.72. He also has 35 wickets.
  • Taskin Ahmed has taken seven wickets in two matches in this series. His yorkers have been as searing as Bangladesh’s displays. Overall at Chattogram, he has taken 33 wickets in 23 matches – the second most scalps on this ground after Shakib.

Ireland:

  • The Irish need a Paul Stirling special. He is averaging just 19.5 in 12 T20s this year, and has 64 runs in five T20I innings against Bangladesh.
  • Time for Ireland to bat Curtis Campher higher up the order? The all-rounder is coming off an excellent 50 off 30 balls in the second T20I.
  • With the surface expected to take turn, watch out for Ben White. The legspinner was the pick of the Irish bowlers earlier this week, with 2/28 in four overs in a total of 202/3.
  • Lorcan Tucker struck 492 runs in T20Is in 2022 at an average of 23.4 and strike rate of 119.7. These may not seem groundbreaking numbers, but Ireland need a platform and he can provide it.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 7, Bangladesh 5, Ireland 1, N/R 1.
  • Bangladesh have won the last five completed T20Is against Ireland, dating back to 2012.
  • Najmul Hossain Shanto is Bangladeh’s third-highest run-scorer in T20Is this year (160) at an average of 80.00 and strike rate of 125.98.

Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Chattogram Pitch Report and Weather

The Tigers have dominated, making two 200+ scores in this series. Then, the spinners have found turn, with the seamers also hitting the right lengths and finding some movement with the new ball. Expect a similar surface that can slow down further as the match progresses.

This match could also be affected by rain, with afternoon thunderstorms forecast.

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 31 March 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Chattogram Pitch Report

Option 2:

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Chattogram Pitch Report

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Litton Das
  • Batters: Rony Talukdar
  • All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan
  • Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed

BAN vs IRE 3rd T20 Match Prediction – who will win?

Weather permitting, Bangladesh should emerge victorious once again.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2023 Preview: Will SRH win their 2nd title?

Charbel Coorey
-
0
Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2023 Preview: Will SRH win their 2nd title?

Cricket News: Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2023 Preview: Will SRH win their 2nd title? | Sunrisers Hyderabad SRH IPL 2023 SWOT Analysis

After two consecutive eighth-placed finishes, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are ready to go for IPL 2023. The franchise has made a number of key changes to their squad, with Aiden Markram to lead and Harry Brook a potentially huge addition for SRH. And, of course, they have a solid domestic core when it comes to their bowling attack, with solid overseas options as well.

In this article, we will look at SRH’s possible XI, key strengths and weaknesses and our verdict for the Orange Army in IPL 2023.

You can also watch CricBlog’s Sunrisers Hyderabad preview on YouTube here or below.

SRH IPL 2023 squad

NameRole
Harry BrookBatsman
Mayank AgarwalBatsman
Heinrich KlaasenWIcketkeeper Batsman
Adil RashidBowler
Mayank MarkandeBowler
Samarth VyasAllrounder
Sanvir SinghBowler
Nitish ReddyWicketkeeper Batsman
Upendra YadavWicketkeeper Batsman
Mayank DagarAllrounder
Vivrant SharmaAllrounder
Anmolpreet SinghBatsman
Akeal HoseinBowler
Abdul SamadBatsman
Abhishek SharmaAllrounder
Fazalhaq FarooqiBowler
Marco JansenBowling Allrounder
Kartik TyagiBowler
Bhuvneshwar KumarBowler
Aiden MarkramBatsman
T NatarajanBowler
Glenn PhillipsWicketkeeper Batsman
Rahul TripathiBatsman
Washington SundarBowling Allrounder
Umran MalikBowler

SRH Predicted Playing XI

The South African players will miss the first match due to national commitments against the Netherlands.

Possible XI without South Africa players: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Rahul Tripathi, 4. Harry Brook, 5. Glenn Phillips (wk), 6. Abdul Samad, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Adil Rashid, 10. T Natarajan, 11. Umran Malik

Possible XI with South Africa players: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Rahul Tripathi, 4. Aiden Markram (c), 5. Harry Brook, 6. Henrich Klaasen (wk), 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Adil Rashid/Marco Jansen, 10. T Natarajan, 11. Umran Malik

SRH IPL 2023 Preview: Strengths & Weaknesses

Here is CricBlog’s snapshot of SRH’s key strengths and weaknesses, also touching on their opportunities and threats.

Strengths:

Superb top six

SRH’s top six has a great mix of domestic and overseas talent. Abhishek Sharma, who had an excellent 2022, is one to watch in 2023. Rahul Tripathi is one of India’s most underrated players, while Mayank Agarwal has a point to prove. It is a top three that can often set a platform for a dynamic middle order of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Harry Brook, who is one of world cricket’s most talked about players.

Also, scarily, there is Glenn Phillips who SRH can also turn to throughout the campaign.

Excellent domestic core in the bowling attack

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Washington Sundar are powerplay specialists. Either Marco Jansen and Adil Rashid can deliver important overs in the first 16. The fast Umran Malik also can, with T Natarajan to be counted on at the death with his yorkers.

SRH have an attack that can deliver in all three stages of the innings. Importantly, they can fit their overseas talent in the middle order because of the domestic core in their lineup. Also, Aiden Markram and Abhishek Sharma can fill in with overs at different stages.

Leadership

Aiden Markram is a winner. He led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title earlier this year, and is admired as a leader by many who are associated with him. Also, he won the U19 World Cup as South Africa captain all those years ago.

We can expect this to show in his batting, where he is crucial to SRH’s quest for strong totals.

Weaknesses/Threats:

Depth in spinners

Washington Sundar is more of a holding option. Will SRH play Adil Rashid or Mayank Markande, and can they deliver wickets in the middle overs? Other teams like RCB and RR are capable of doing just that, so SRH will need to get this right.

Can they get the most out of their overseas bowling options?

Marco Jansen, Adil Rashid, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akeal Hosein is an excellent group of overseas options. The key question for SRH will be to select the right option for different conditions. Indeed, this is more a threat than a weakness, as options in an attack can be considered a strength.

Verdict

Winners! I think SRH will go all the way this season as they have the depth and quality to do so.

IPL 2023: 5 leading contenders to win the Purple Cap

Tarkesh Jha
-
0
IPL 2023: 5 leading contenders to win the Purple Cap

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 leading contenders to win the Purple Cap | Who will win the Purple Cap in the 2023 IPL?

Bowlers have grown in the T20 game by constantly reinventing and modifying their methodologies over time. The Indian Premier League (IPL) rewards their efforts with the Purple Cap for the player who takes the most wickets at the end of any season.

CricBlog’s leading contenders for the IPL 2023 Purple Cap

There is a close tussle that goes on for this title towards the conclusion of every campaign. With the coming season set to commence in a few days’ time, CricBlog takes a look at the five most ideal contenders for the Purple Cap in IPL 2023.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Leg-spinners have shown the potential to thrive at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and Wanindu Hasaranga gave a good account of his skillsets in the previous campaign.

Picked for a whopping sum of Rs 10.75 crores by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Hasaranga notched 26 wickets in 16 games at an economy rate of 7.54. He emerged as an incredible wicket-taking option in the middle-overs and will be looking to replicate the feats that Yuzvendra Chahal scaled at RCB’s home turf during his heydays with the franchise.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal won the Purple Cap with 27 wickets last season. He has arguably not been in the best of runs since then but the 32-year-old often tends to turn up well during the course of the IPL.

Rajasthan Royals’ home ground in Jaipur is fairly big and that brings spinners into the action with opposition batsmen looking to increase the scoring rate towards the backend of the innings. Chahal is smart enough to use these factors to his favour and that could help him again finish at the top of the wicket-taking charts in the coming campaign.

Rashid Khan

The Afghan spinner took 19 wickets en route Gujarat’s run to the title victory last year. This time around, again much like Chahal, the large dimensions of the ground at the Narendra Modi will help Rashid Khan induce many caught out dismissals at the boundary line.

The 24-year-old often falls back in the Purple Cap race as batsmen tend to adopt a defensive approach against him. This brings the other bowlers into the fore in a greater capacity but the aforementioned factor could very well turn the tides in Rashid’s favour this time around.

Jofra Archer

The English express pacer returns to the fold in the coming season of the IPL after a long injury layoff forced him out of competitive cricket for around a year and a half. Archer will have to straightaway take over the responsibilities of spearheading the Mumbai Indians’ pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

His tearaway speed and the consistent ability to hit hard lengths will hold him in good stead for Mumbai’s home games at the Wankhede Stadium. Archer can very well dismantle the opposition batting line-up with some good spells in the powerplay and that sort of incisiveness with the ball will surely benefit Mumbai’s arguably weakened bowling unit.

Khaleel Ahmed

A slightly left-field pick for the Purple Cap, but Khaleel Ahmed’s innate wicket-taking ability was on full display last season when he scalped 16 dismissals in mere 10 appearances for the Delhi Capitals. He has grown in his game with the new ball and his tall height coupled with the angle that he brings in with his left-arm bowling means that Ahmed is great at taking wickets in the death overs as well.

There are good chances that he could play a greater number of games this season and Ahmed might as well end up climbing the wicket-taking charts even though his economy rate ends up tilting towards the higher end of the spectrum.

PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 2

Charbel Coorey
-
0
PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 2

PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 2 | PBKS vs KOL Dream11 Prediction Today | Mohali Pitch Report

It’s the first match of a 14-game campaign for Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). So, even with a first up defeat, there is plenty of time to make up ground. However, both these two teams will love to silence the doubters and start the season positively, especially after both missed out on the playoffs in IPL 2022.

PBKS finished in sixth, with KKR just behind them in seventh. It has been nearly a decade since Punjab reached the playoffs, while Kolkata have visions of a first title since the same year – 2014. If either or both sides are to have a successful campaign, they need to nail their team combination right away, as chopping and changing early in the season is never ideal.

On paper, both franchises have magnificent players. Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Sam Curran is just a taste of the overseas talent we’ll be privileged to witness in this match. Arshdeep Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Umesh Yadav and Rinku Singh headline the possible domestic gamechangers, among others. However, how both teams click as a unit is vital, and here is an opportunity to get off to a positive start.

ALSO READ: CricBlog’s Predictions for IPL 2023 – which do you agree with?

Match Details

  • Location: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.
  • Time: 3:30pm (IST).
  • For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

IPL 2023 Match 2: PBKS vs KKR Possible Playing XIs

Punjab Kings have a number of different options when it comes to their team combination. Jonny Bairstow is unavailable and has been replaced by Australia’s Matt Short. He may open because according to ESPNcricinfo, Liam Livingstone is out of the first match as he has not yet received clearance from the ECB regarding his ankle injury.

If PBKS bat first, they may start with three overseas players, and bring in Nathan Ellis for one batsman. If they bat second, they may bring in Matt Short.

Kagiso Rabada is unavailable for this match due to South Africa duty.

Punjab Kings: 1. Shikhar Dhawan (c), 2. Prabhsimran Singh/Matt Short, 3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 5. Sikandar Raza, 6. Shahrukh Khan, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Rishi Dhawan/Nathan Ellis, 9. Harpreet Brar, 10. Rahul Chahar, 11. Arshdeep Singh.

Like Punjab, Kolkata also have a number of options. They may elect to open with Rahmanullah Gurbaz given Litton Das is batting brilliantly for Bangladesh in their current series against Ireland. Also, it remains to be seen if they choose Tim Southee or Lockie Ferguson for the overseas pacer slot.

Nitish Rana will captain the team with Shreyas Iyer out for an extended period due to injury.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Venkatesh Iyer, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (OS & wk), 3. Nitish Rana (c), 4. Rinku Singh, 5. Mandeep Singh/Narayan Jagadeesan/Anukul Roy, 6. Andre Russell (OS), 7. Sunil Narine (OS), 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Lockie Ferguson/Tim Southee (OS), 11. Varun Chakravarthy

Key Players to Watch

Punjab Kings:

  • Shikhar Dhawan is crucial in what is an inexperienced domestic core for PBKS. In 29 matches against KKR, he has scored 810 runs at an average of 28.93 and strike rate of 117.22. But, in his last seven outings, he has made five 20+ scores against them: 97*, 26, 6, 46, 24, 36, 16.
  • Jitesh Sharma is a key player for Punjab. He has a magnificent record batting at five in T20s, with 406 runs in 14 innings at an average of 58.00 and strike rate of 196.14.
  • How will Sam Curran fare as the most expensive player in IPL history? In 12 T20s this year, he has scored just 96 runs and taken nine wickets at an economy of 8.30. A big lift in form is needed.
  • Rishi Dhawan has good all-round numbers on this ground. In 11 matches, he has scored 238 runs (avg. 47.60, SR 112.26) and has picked up nine wickets (avg. 26.56, econ. 7.17).
  • Nathan Ellis, who has taken 56 wickets in 42 T20s since the start of 2022, took 3/30 for Australia against India on this ground last year.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

  • Andre Russell often goes ballistic against PBKS. In ten innings against them, he has belted 331 runs at an average of 36.78 and extraordinary strike rate of 204.32. He also has 14 wickets.
  • Last season, Russell hammered 70* (31) to take KKR to victory with 33 balls to spare against PBKS. KKR were in trouble in that match at 51/4 chasing 138.
  • Since the start of 2018, Nitish Rana averages just 13.75 in eight innings against PBKS. Will the captaincy bring out the best in him?
  • Sunil Narine has the most wickets in PBKS-KKR matches. He has taken 32 wickets in 22 matches at an average of 16.38 and economy of 6.92.
  • Narine has enjoyed bowling on this ground in the past: 6 matches, 12 wickets, avg. 12.00, econ. 6.00.
  • Shardul Thakur has a magnificent record against PBKS. He has picked up 17 wickets in just nine matches, striking every 11.18 deliveries on average. Umesh Yadav also has fine numbers for KKR against PBKS, with 18 scalps in 11 matches.
  • KKR may look to play Tim Southee because of his record against Shikhar Dhawan. The seamer has dismissed the opener four times in 68 balls in all T20s, whilst conceding just 67.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 30, PBKS 10, KKR 20.
  • KKR lead 4-3 against PBKS in matches on this ground.
  • Shikhar Dhawan’s T20 record at Mohali: 15 inns, 439 runs, avg. 31.36, SR 127.99.
  • Arshdeep Singh has taken five wickets in six matches against KKR at an average of 31.60 and economy of 8.94.
  • Rahul Chahar took 2/13 against KKR last season. He has taken 11 wickets in seven games vs KKR at an average of 16.73 and strike rate of 13.09.
  • Shikhar Dhawan vs Shardul Thakur in the IPL: 49 balls faced, 74 runs scored, three dismissals.
  • Varun Chakravarthy vs PBKS: 5 matches, 4 wickets, avg. 30.75, econ. 6.15.

Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali Pitch Report and Weather

Mohali is typically a magnificent batting pitch. Last year, Australia chased India’s 208/6 with four balls to spare thanks to Cameron Green (61 off 30 balls) and Matthew Wade (45* off 21 balls).

In 14 matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in October 2022, the average first innings score was 153.43 at a run rate of 8.04. The chasing team won eight of these games.

Some afternoon showers are forecast in Mohali. So, this could be a rain-affected match.

ALSO READ: CricBlog’s Predictions for IPL 2023 – which do you agree with?

IPL 2023 Match 2: PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today Match April 1 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 2 | PBKS vs KOL Dream11 Prediction Today | Mohali Pitch Report | Best Dream11 Prediction for PBKS vs KKR

Option 2:

PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 2 | PBKS vs KOL Dream11 Prediction Today | Mohali Pitch Report | Best Dream11 Prediction for PBKS vs KKR

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
  • Batters: Shikhar Dhawan
  • All-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine
  • Bowlers: Umesh Yadav

IPL 2023 Match 2: PBKS vs KKR Match Prediction – Who will win?

KKR’s experience, as well their excellent record vs PBKS, will see them prevail in this clash. This is especially the case with Liam Livingstone set to miss this match.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Darpan Jain
-
0
BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Chattogram Pitch Report

Bangladesh are batting with more intent than ever now; something that had always lacked in their batters. In the first T20I, Bangladesh defeated Ireland by 22 runs (DLS). Batting first, they were at 207/5 in 19.2 overs before rain interrupted. Litton Das provided a brisk start, while Rony Talukdar played a fantastic knock to help Bangladesh cross the 200-run mark.

When the rain stopped, Ireland required 104 in eight overs to win the game. They tried hard, but the target was too big to chase. Taskin Ahmed was brilliant with the ball, as he played a crucial role in restricting Ireland to 81/5.

Bangladesh will now look to seal the series in the 2nd T20I, while Ireland will try to stay alive in the series in what has been a very difficult tour to date.

Match Details

  • Location: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram.
  • Time: 6:00 pm (local), 5:30 pm (IST).
  • For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 2023 Possible Playing XIs

Why fix something that ain’t broken? Expect Bangladesh to stick with the same XI.

Bangladesh: 1. Litton Das (wk) 2. Rony Talukdar, 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4. Shamim Hossain, 5. Towhid Hridoy, 6. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8. Nasum Ahmed, 9. Taskin Ahmed, 10. Mustafizur Rahman, 11. Hasan Mahmud

Despite losing the last game, Ireland might field the same XI again.

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling (c) 2. Ross Adair, 3. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4. Harry Tector, 5. George Dockrell, 6. Gareth Delany, 7. Curtis Campher, 8. Mark Adair, 9. Craig Young, 10. Graham Hume, 11. Benjamin White

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Bangladesh:

  • Litton Das is a quality player. In the first T20I, he played a fine knock of 47 runs off just 23 balls, which included four boundaries and three maximums. His keeping will also fetch some fantasy points.
  • Rony Talukdar gave a glimpse of his superior skillsets in the last game. He scored 67 off mere 38 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes. He is continuing on from his excellent BPL campaign.
  • Najmul Hossain Shanto last five T20I innings: 14(13), 47*(36), 46*(47), 51(30), 54(48). He was also the leading run-scorer (144) in the T20I series against England.
  • Shakib Al Hasan is a must-pick in the fantasy XI. He is almost certain to provide points with both bat and ball.
  • The Bangladesh skipper enjoys playing at Chattogram. He has the second most runs in T20s (746) at an average of 39.26 and strike rate of 148.31, along with the most wickets (30) at an economy of just 6.25.
  • Taskin Ahmed snared four wickets in the first T20I. He’s in good form with the ball this year. Taskin can trouble the Irish batters with his accuracy.

Ireland:

  • Paul Stirling in T20s in Bangladesh: 511 runs, avg. 24.33, SR. 153.45. He has also made four half-centuries in 22 innings here. Even in the first game, Stirling looked in good nick.
  • Lorcan Tucker is the third-highest Irish run-scorer (569) in the T20Is since 2022. He has an average of 23.70 and a strike rate of 125.88 in this duration. While he didn’t fire in the first rubber, Tucker is one of the better Irish batters.
  • Harry Tector made 19 runs off 12 balls in the first match. He is capable of facing a quality Bangladesh bowling line-up.
  • Curtis Campher played in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) this year. Hence, he has some experience playing in these conditions. While his form hasn’t been great lately, Campher can still provide some points with both bat and ball.
  • Craig Young in the T20Is since 2022: 23 wickets, avg. 15.47, SR. 11.73, eco. 7.91. He is a proper wicket-taker in this format.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 6, Bangladesh 4, Ireland 1, NR 1
  • Taskin Ahmed has scalped the most wickets (8) for Bangladesh in the T20Is this year. He has an average of 13, a strike rate of 10.50, and an economy rate of 7.42.
  • Gareth Delany in T20Is since 2022: Batting – 327 runs at 16.35 avg. and 123.39 SR. Bowling – 17 wickets at 24.52 SR. and eco. 7.98.

Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Chattogram Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the recently-concluded BPL was 162. The teams batting first here won five of the 12 games in the tournament. Even in the first T20I, the track was ideal for the batters.

The temperatures are expected to hover around 29°C on Wednesday, with clear weather.

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 29 March 2023

Option 1:

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Chattogram Pitch Report
BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 29 March 2023

Option 2:

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Chattogram Pitch Report
BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 29 March 2023

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Litton Das
  • Batters: Paul Stirling, Najmul Hossain Shanto
  • All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan
  • Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Craig Young

BAN vs IRE 2nd T20 2023 Match Prediction – Who will win?

Bangladesh have been in good form in the T20Is this year. They whitewashed England earlier and defeated Ireland in the first match. Ireland are a strong side in this format but expect Bangladesh to seal the series in the second match.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 1

Charbel Coorey
-
0
GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 1

GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 1 | GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Ahmedabad Pitch Report

The IPL 2022 champions meet the four-time champions looking to bounce back. Ahmedabad is set to host a full set of home matches for the triumphant Gujarat Titans, who are aiming to become just the third team in history to win back-to-back titles after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

But, there are a number of challengers in what looks to be a fascinating 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League, with CSK seeking a big response after a disappointing ninth-place finish a year ago.

It is a long season, but this match already has a sense of importance to it. Just four playoff spots are available in a competitive ten-team league, so a good start is vital. Winning breeds confidence as Gujarat found out last season, winning ten of their 14 league matches before two stunning performances in the playoffs.

In this match, both teams will have to deal with some key absentees. David Miller is unavailable for the Titans, while it remains to be seen how Mukesh Chowdhury’s absence affects the Super Kings. However, the talent on display is mouthwatering. Shubman Gill is in career-best touch, the Gujarat attack is worth the price of admission, and so too are CSK’s collection of top-class all-rounders.

Strap in. The IPL is back and its opening match has the makings of a beauty.

Match Details

  • Location: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
  • Time: 7:30pm (IST).
  • For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

IPL 2023 Match 1: GT vs CSK Possible Playing XIs

Kane Williamson arrived in Ahmedabad early in the week ahead of the season opener. He may make the first playing XI with David Miller unavailable for the first match due to national duty.

Gujarat Titans: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3. Kane Williamson (OS), 4. Hardik Pandya (c), 5. Matthew Wade/Odean Smith (OS), 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Rashid Khan (OS), 8. R Sai Kishore, 9. Alzarri Joseph (OS), 10. Yash Dayal/Shivam Mavi, 11. Mohammed Shami

Mukesh Chowdhury is unavailable for CSK due to injury. Simranjeet Singh may take his place. Maheesh Theekshana is currently on Sri Lanka duty in New Zealand.

Big buy Ben Stokes is a fine top order player in T20s, so CSK may look to play him in the top three.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Ben Stokes, 4. Moeen Ali, 5. Ambati Rayudu, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Shivam Dube, 8. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 9. Mitchell Santner, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Simarjeet Singh/Tushar Deshpande

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Gujarat Titans:

  • Shubman Gill is a leading contender for the Orange Cap. He now has a T20I century to his name, achieved earlier this year on this ground against New Zealand.
  • Shubman has not had the best of times against CSK in the past. He does have two fifties in ten innings against them, but also has two ducks. He averages 21.78 overall, but he is in superb touch now.
  • Kane Williamson could be in for a big season. Expect the Titans to encourage him to play freely. He has an excellent career record against CSK, with 417 runs at an average of 41.70 and strike rate of 132.80.
  • Hardik Pandya scored the fourth-most runs in IPL 2022 (487) and took nine wickets. He strikes at 155.45 in 12 innings against CSK, with 171 runs at an average of 28.50.
  • Rashid Khan will be vital, as always. He is often a factor even with the bat against CSK, with a strike rate of 191.30 in four innings against them. With the ball, he has picked up 11 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 30.45 and strike rate of 26.18.
  • Rashid has dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad twice in 35 balls in T20s. He has conceded 53, however. The legspinner also has superb T20 numbers against Ben Stokes: 21 balls, 15 runs conceded, three dismissals.
  • Mohammed Shami is a genuine Purple Cap contender. He took 1/20 and 2/19 against CSK last season, and has dismissed Conway once in just three balls in the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings:

  • Devon Conway had a strong 2022 in T20 cricket. In 25 innings, he hit 901 runs at an average of 45.05 and strike rate of 129.27. Key player.
  • Ruturaj Gaikwad is also vital for CSK. He averages 57.07 in CSK victories and just 20.65 when they lose.
  • Gaikwad scored two half-centuries against GT last season. However, he often starts IPL campaigns slowly. He started with a duck in 2020, 5 in 2021 and another duck in 2022.
  • Ben Stokes is set to play as a specialist batsman due to a knee issue. CSK may look to bat him at three or four, given he often performs better up the order. He strikes at 126.22 at three and 135.28 at four in all T20s.
  • It is a big season for Ravindra Jadeja. Since the start IPL 2020, Jadeja has struck 575 runs at an average of 41.1 and strike rate of 147.8. He has also picked up 24 wickets in this period, striking every 29.6 deliveries.
  • CSK missed Deepak Chahar terribly in 2022. Since the start of 2021, he has taken 32 wickets in the powerplay at an economy of 7.69. Also, he has dismissed Shubman Gill twice in 33 balls (45 runs) in the IPL, so watch out for this battle.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 2, GT 2, CSK 0.
  • Kane Williamson has good numbers against Ravindra Jadeja in T20s (80 balls, 95 runs, one dismissal). He has also scored 63 off 48 against Deepak Chahar without dismissal.
  • Ruturaj Gaikwad finds it very difficult to get Mohammed Shami away. He has never been dismissed, but has only scored 37 off 52 balls.
  • Moeen Ali in T20s in 2022: 1,263 runs, avg. 26.31, SR 149.29. He also took 40 wickets at an economy of 7.98.

Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather

The Ahmedabad pitch for the recent fourth Test between Australia and India was a flat one. So, we could see a good batting surface to start with, before the pitches slow up more as the tournament progresses.

Earlier this year, India smashed 234/4 against New Zealand. Shubman Gill scored 126* off 63 balls in that match, followed by Hardik Pandya’s 4/16 in demolishing New Zealand for 66.

In seven IPL matches since the start of 2021, the average first innings score is 154.14. The chasing team won six of the seven encounters, so expect the captain who wins the toss here to bowl first on what is set to be a clear and warm night.

IPL 2023 Match 1: GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today Match 31 March 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 1 | GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Ahmedabad Pitch Report | Dream11 picks for GT vs CSK | Best Dream11 prediction for IPL

Option 2:

GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 1 | GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Ahmedabad Pitch Report | Dream11 picks for GT vs CSK | Best Dream11 prediction for IPL
IPL 2023 Match 1: GT vs CSK Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Devon Conway
  • Batters: Shubman Gill
  • All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya
  • Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami

IPL 2023 Match 1: GT vs CSK Match Prediction – Who will win?

GT’s bowling attack can help them pick up a win and start their season a positive note.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Darpan Jain
-
0
SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Johannesburg Pitch Report

South Africa defeated the West Indies by six wickets in a high-scoring encounter in the second T20I. They chased down 259 runs in 18.5 overs – courtesy of Quinton de Kock’s magnificent century and a half-century from Reeza Hendricks. They will now look to win the third game and clinch the series.

The West Indies would be gutted to lose the match. They were flawless in the first innings, as most of their batters contributed, with Johnson Charles hitting the fastest-ever T20I century by a West Indian. But their bowlers were clueless on a batting-friendly surface. As a result, they couldn’t even defend a mammoth target.

With the series on the line, expect both teams to come hard at each other.

Match Details

  • Location: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
  • Time: 6:00 pm (local), 9:30 pm (IST).
  • For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Possible Playing XIs

South Africa might bring in Anrich Nortje for the decider in place of Sisanda Magala.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk) 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Rilee Rossouw, 4. Aiden Markram (c), 5. David Miller, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Wayne Parnell, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

The West Indies will be tempted to bring in Alzarri Joseph, who was rested in the last game.

West Indies: 1. Brandon King 2. Kyle Mayers, 3. Johnson Charles, 4. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5. Rovman Powell (c), 6. Jason Holder, 7. Romario Shepherd, 8. Odean Smith, 9. Akeal Hosein, 10. Alzarri Joseph, 11. Sheldon Cottrell

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

South Africa:

  • Quinton de Kock smashed a century in the last game. His overall record against the Caribbean nation is also top-notch. Expect him to score runs again.
  • Reeza Hendricks in T20Is since 2022: 412 runs, avg. 45.77, SR. 152.02. He has also made five half-centuries in nine innings.
  • Aiden Markram made 14(9) in the first T20I and 38* (21) in the second T20I. He will look to make another significant contribution in the third game. He can also bowl handy off-spins if required.
  • Marco Jansen snared three wickets in the last game. He bowled well in patches. The track in Johannesburg might suit him because Jansen can extract extra bounce. He is also a more than handy batter.
  • Anrich Nortje at The Wanderers Stadium in T20s: 9 wickets, avg. 16.33, SR. 12.67, econ. 7.73. He might have a good outing again with the ball.

West Indies:

  • Johnson Charles scored 28(14) and 118(46) in the first two games. With the kind of form he’s in this year, expect another good score from his willow.
  • Kyle Mayers has looked in good nick in the first two games. He even made a half-century in the last game. He will look to provide a brisk start to his team again in the third match.
  • Nicholas Pooran in third T20I of a series: 499 runs, avg. 45.36, SR. 136.71. He has also amassed five half-centuries in 15 innings. He can give a few fantasy points from keeping as well.
  • Odean Smith has a knack of picking wickets in this format. He can pick a few of them here and there. His batting might also fetch some points.
  • Alzarri Joseph didn’t play the last game but might return for the decider. He is easily the best West Indian bowler at the moment. Expect him to end the tour on a high note.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 18, South Africa 11, West Indies 7.
  • Reeza Hendricks has the most 50+ scores (5) among the Proteas batters in T20Is since 2022.
  • Johnson Charles has the highest strike rate (167.52) in the T20s this year (minimum 450 runs).

The Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at The Wanderers Stadium in the completed games of the recently-concluded SA20 was 164. The teams batting first here won 4 of the six games in the tournament.

The temperatures are expected to hover around 20°C on Tuesday.

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 28 March 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Johannesburg Pitch Report
SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 28 March 2023

Option 2:

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Johannesburg Pitch Report
SA vs WI 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 28 March 2023

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran
  • Batters: Rilee Rossouw
  • All-rounders: Aiden Markram
  • Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Alzarri Joseph

SA vs WI 3rd T20 Match Prediction: Who will win?

The series has so far been high-scoring, and another similar game can not be ruled out. The batters of both teams are in good form, but the South African bowling line-up has more teeth than the West Indies. Hence, South Africa might win the game and series as well.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap

Tarkesh Jha
-
0
IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap | 5 players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2023

The 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will commence with the incumbent champions Gujarat Titans (GT) clashing with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 31. The tournament shifts to its original home-away format after three seasons where it had to take place in a restricted capacity due to rules and relegations pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Top contenders for Orange Cap in IPL 2023

On that note, batsmen from across the world will be delighting spectators in different cities with their incredible skillsets and here CricBlog predicts the five topmost contenders to win the Orange Cap in the coming campaign.

Shubman Gill

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap | 5 players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2023
IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap – Shubman Gill

The 21-year-old opener has been in sublime form this year, notching centuries at will and even bringing up his maiden ton in One Day Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand in January. He reached the three-figure mark in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad and will be heading into the IPL with supreme confidence on his calibre.

Gill played an instrumental role in steering Gujarat Titans (GT) to the IPL title last year and he will again be gearing to optimise his recent form and pull off something miraculous by winning consecutive campaigns with the franchise.

KL Rahul

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap | 5 players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2023
IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap – KL Rahul

Rahul is undergoing a patchy run of form presently but he always manages to turn up quite well for his team in the IPL. The 31-year-old scored 616 runs in the Lucknow Super Giants’ third-place finish in the league last year and he will be looking to spark a new turnaround in his international career through some defining performances in the IPL.

His match-winning half-century in the first ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium demonstrated that Rahul can gradually regain his touch back and the coming IPL presents him the ideal opportunity to do so and recover back his lost spot in the national team XI.

Virat Kohli

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap | 5 players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2023
IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap – Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli last won the Orange Cap in IPL 2016 when he had a record-breaking run, scoring 974 runs en route the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) runners-up finish in the season. Since then, the former India skipper has arguably blown hot and cold in the tournament. However, the 34-year-old has successfully managed to recover from his long slump in form with five international tons, spanning across all three formats, since September 2022.

Kohli appears to be in a very good space with both the bat as well as in his mind currently and could use that as a driving factor towards leading the RCB to their first-ever IPL title and even emerging as the prospective highest run-scorer in the coming campaign.

Jos Buttler

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap | 5 players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2023
IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap – Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler lit up the previous season by spearheading the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the finals. He scored four centuries and notched 863 runs across 17 innings in the season. Buttler dominated every bowling unit that came up against him and has since then gone on to even win the T20 World Cup with England.

Buttler is still at the prime of his career and there is no reason why he cannot replicate the season that he underwent last time around. It will be imperative that he commences the campaign on a strong note and builds up from there, something that he has done multiple times in the past already.

David Warner

Cricket News: IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap | 5 players who can win the Orange Cap in IPL 2023
IPL 2023: 5 top contenders for the Orange Cap – David Warner.

Champions often thrive when confronted with challenges. David Warner has not been in best of form for Australia in recent times. He even underwent a pretty disappointing tour to India and missed the last two Tests and most of the limited-overs leg due to an injury.

However, he has recently been elevated to the captaincy role by Delhi Capitals and Warner can very well use that as a stimulant to fire back in form with the bat.

He has arguably been the greatest overseas batsman to have graced the IPL with consistency that few others could boast of with the bat. He notched 432 runs last time around but will need to be around for his side in a greater capacity with the willow considering the absence of Rishabh Pant.

Will Warner add a fourth Orange Cap to his cabinet? Let us know by tweeting @cric_blog.  

IPL 2023 Predictions: Top 4 and who will win the title?

Charbel Coorey
-
0
IPL 2023 Predictions: Top 4 and who will win the title?

IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will make the playoffs & win the IPL? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will win the 2023 Indian Premier League?

It’s that time of year once again. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is upon us, with the 16th edition marking a return to a full home and away season for the first time since 2019.

As always, the IPL is difficult to predict. Every team is capable of beating another on a given day. Also, all ten are capable of finishing in the top four, and all ten have cases to lift the IPL trophy in May. Last season, many believed Gujarat Titans weren’t title contenders in their first season, but they went on to win in grand style. So, anything is possible.

CricBlog’s IPL 2023 Predictions

What does IPL 2023 have in store? In this article, we will use both logic and gut feel in attempting to pick the top four teams and title winner, whilst also touching on the Orange and Purple Cap winners.

Orange Cap winner: Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)

IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will make the playoffs & win the IPL? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will win the 2023 Indian Premier League? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will make the playoffs & win the IPL? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will win the 2023 Indian Premier League?
IPL 2023 Predictions: Shubman Gill to win the Orange Cap.

Shubman Gill is in magnificent form. He recently joined a select few to score a century in all three formats for India, and he is just getting started.

In IPL 2022, Gill enjoyed his most prolific season to date. The Gujarat Titans opener hit the fifth-most runs in the tournament (483) at an average of 34.50 and strike rate of 132.32. He now has the form and pedigree to take that to another level.

  • Other leading contenders: KL Rahul (LSG), Jos Buttler (RR) & Virat Kohli (RCB).
  • Dark horses: Abhishek Sharma (SRH), Devon Conway (CSK), Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR).

Purple Cap winner: Jofra Archer (MI)

IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will make the playoffs & win the IPL? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will win the 2023 Indian Premier League? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will make the playoffs & win the IPL? | IPL 2023 Predictions: Who will win the 2023 Indian Premier League?
IPL 2023 Predictions: Jofra Archer to win the Purple Cap.

Archer is now the leader of the MI attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He will be vital upfront and also in the death overs. Importantly, Archer seemed to have found his rhythm and top pace in England’s recent tour of Bangladesh. He took nine wickets in five white-ball matches in that tour, after picking up 6/40 in an ODI against South Africa and ten wickets in six matches in SA20 2023.

However, there is the question of whether Archer will play every game due to fitness and management. Even then, his wicket-taking ability makes him very difficult to ignore for the Purple Cap.

  • Other leading contenders: Mohammed Shami (GT), Yuzvendra Chahal (RR), Kagiso Rabada (PBKS).
  • Dark horses: Maheesh Theekshana (CSK), Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Umran Malik (SRH).

Playoffs (no particular order): SRH, RCB, RR, GT

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

SRH have put together an outstanding squad. Their likely top three of Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi has a mix of intent and technical ability that will help SRH get off to strong starts more often than not.

Then, it gets really exciting. New skipper Aiden Markram, who led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to glory in the inaugural SA20 earlier this year, is set for a massive season. Last year, he scored 381 runs at an average of 47.62 and strike rate of 139.05, and that is even after SRH were hampered by slow starts. Alongside him in the middle order is the incredible Harry Brook, with either Glenn Phillips or Heinrich Klaasen also slotting in. That’s some top six.

On the bowling front, SRH are well equipped to cover all three phases of an innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Washington Sundar are powerplay specialists. Umran Malik’s fire and Adil Rashid’s wile in the middle overs is something to look forward to, and T Natarajan’s exploits at the death will hold SRH in good stead.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

RCB have qualified for the playoffs in each season since the start of 2020. They will enter this campaign with a very settled squad; an attribute we don’t often associate with the franchise.

Rajat Patidar finished IPL 2022 as one of RCB’s crucial players. He has plenty of experience around him, including Virat Kohli who has found form in recent months, including notching off that much-awaited 71st international century.

A key question for RCB is how their bowling will fare in their return to the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy Stadium. But, their attack is far superior now to what it was pre-2020. Even with Josh Hazlewood in doubt for some games due to injury, Reece Topley is an apt replacement along with the excellent Wanindu Hasaranga as the key overseas bowling options. Also, back Mohammed Siraj to have an improved season, with his powerplay exploits key to RCB’s fortunes.

Rajasthan Royals:

A team filled with cricketing smarts and know-how. This season, they have added Jason Holder to fill that bowling all-rounder gap at number seven which was a bit of an issue for them last campaign. Also, the addition of Joe Root, who is a better T20 player that people give him credit for, can serve the franchise well throughout a lengthy campaign.

Of course, it is unfair to expect Jos Buttler to emulate his 2022 campaign. But, if he even comes close, it will hold the team in good stead. It could be a big season for Yashasvi Jaiswal, while leadership brings the best out of Sanju Samson.

However, the finishing department and sixth bowling option will be under the spotlight, especially with Prasidh Krishna out of the tournament. But, we can expect RR to nail the Impact Player rule, as their team has been built perfectly for it.

Gujarat Titans:

Wll organised, well planned. The defending champions will be tough to beat once again, with a few strong additions to their squad.

The purchase of Kane Williamson can prove to be a stroke of genius. Expect Hardik Pandya to encourage Williamson to play with freedom, which can see the New Zealander show glimpses of his 2018 form. Also, the addition of Josh Little gives an already potent GT attack an extra dimension.

However, it must be remembered that GT pulled off some improbable wins in 2022. Whether they can achieve those kinds of wins again remains to be seen, but in David Miller, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan, they have a middle-lower order that means GT is never out of the running.

Who misses out?

LSG was arguably the most difficult team to leave out. They have an excellent squad, but the absence of Mohsin Khan could prove vital. Also, a lot may depend on the form of Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis, who can both blow hot and cold. However, no one can be surprised if the franchise does indeed qualify for the playoffs.

CSK is another that was difficult to leave out. The return to Chepauk is a major boost, but questions around the depth of their pace stocks are sure to arise throughout the season. This is especially the case with Mukesh Chowdhury a chance to miss the bulk of the campaign due to injury. Also, given they are without an experienced wristspin option, how they perform on good batting pitches away from home remains to be seen.

DC are also a great chance, but how will they fare without Rishabh Pant? Also, will they be relying on the top three too much as a lot seems to depend on Rovman Powell in the finishing department?

MI can make massive totals, but they can concede them too. Jofra Archer’s return to bowling can offset Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, but can he play all games? Also, does he have enough support?

PBKS could have a similar season to 2022, where they went on a win-loss pattern right the way through. They lack a strong core, with questions as to how their stars will gel together as a unit. They are the kind of team to score 220 one day, but get bundled out cheaply the next.

The absence of Shreyas Iyer for a decent chunk of IPL 2023 can also be pivotal for KKR. However, there is still great talent in the franchise, including Rinku Singh who is a player to watch this season. But, as great as they are, how much more can Andre Russell and Sunil Narine deliver? There are more questions than answers for KKR in IPL 2023, so we’ll see how they fare.

Winner: Sunrisers Hyderabad

It’s the year of the orange. SRH have what it takes to go all the way, with a mix of explosive talent and reliable experience. They were good for the first two-thirds of IPL 2022, before falling away late. This season, they have the squad, depth and quality to go the distance.

Do you agree with our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter @cric_blog. Here’s to a great IPL.

WPL 2023 Final Twitter reactions: MI seal title

Charbel Coorey
-
0
WPL 2023 Final Twitter reactions: MI seal title

Cricket News: WPL 2023 Final Twitter reactions: MI seal title | MI-W vs DEL-W Twitter reactions: Sciver-Brunt, Mathews seal win

Mumbai Indians (MI) have written another chapter in their wonderful T20 story, with their brilliant women’s team winning the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). Their talent shone through against a spirited Delhi Capitals (DC) side, led by player of the tournament Hayley Mathews’ 3/5 and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s composed 60* off 55 balls.

DC fought hard after Shafali Verma’s controversial dismissal and plunging to the depths of 79/9. Shikha Pandey (27* off 17) and Radha Yadav (27* off 12) gave DC something to bowl at, and they were then right in the game after reducing MI to 23/2 in the fourth over.

Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt steadied things, but a Kaur run out threatened to become another deja vu moment. 37 were still required off 23 balls at that point, before Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr’s heorics in the penultimate over ensured MI could seal it comfortably in the final over.

The winning runs sparked jubilant celebrations. MI held their nerve brilliantly at the backend of the tournament after losing two consecutive games, winning both the Eliminator and Final thanks to strong, efficient displays.

WPL 2023 Final Twitter reactions: A big win for Mumbai Indians & women’s cricket

Victory would taste particularly sweet for captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Often left heartbroken after knockout matches in recent years captaining the India team, Kaur, who was excellent throughout the tournament, can now savour this terrific moment.

“Post-match press conferences after knockouts haven’t always been a happy place for Harmanpreet Kaur,” one tweet read. “For a change, here she is with a big smile as the winning captain of the inaugural @wplt20 alongside the trophy.”

The WPL was also a big win for women’s cricket. The game continues to go from strength to strength, and the WPL is just the beginning of what is set to be a very exciting growth period worldwide over the next five years.

1...166167168...497Page 167 of 497