The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League will get underway on the 31st of March with the defending champions Gujarat Titans locking horns against Chennai Super Kings at Ahmedabad. The Final league game of the competition will be played on the 21st of May in Bangalore
There will be 10 teams participating in the competition namely Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans.
All the teams look competitive, on paper, however, there are a few niggles and you can check out all the IPL odds before analysing the perceived weaknesses of each of the playing squads participating in IPL 2023:
1. Mumbai Indians:
The Ace bowler for Mumbai Indians, Jasprit Bumrah is sustaining an injury that has kept him away from action for a while. He is doubtful for the upcoming IPL season and it is a worrying sign for Mumbai Indians. Bumrah is a top player who can break the back of an opposition with accuracy and precision. His injury has definitely been one of the weaknesses for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2023. Apart from this concern, another weakness in Mumbai Indians squad is their consistency. They performed poorly in the previous edition of the mega event and will have to bring in their best game to give a tough competition to the other teams.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders:
Their bowling seems to be a little concern. Apart from Shakib Al Hasan and Sunil Narine, none of the other bowlers form a dangerous attack. Shardul Thakur hasn’t been in the best of form and Umesh Yadav’s record with the white ball isn’t the greatest. Tim Southee can definitely provide breakthroughs, but he can be expensive during the powerplays. Bowling is certainly Kolkata Knight Riders weakness in the upcoming IPL 2023.
3. Punjab Kings:
One of the most prolific batters of this era, Jonny Bairstow was injured in a Golfing incident in September last year, due to which he missed out on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. There are doubts about his availability for IPL 2023 and it may be a big loss for Punjab Kings if Bairstow doesn’t feature in the mega event. It is certainly a matter of concern for the Franchise.
4. Chennai Super Kings:
Kyle Jamieson is one of the best all-rounders in cricket circuit. However, the Chennai Super Kings star has had a tough 2 years coping with an injury. His presence with the ball can be handy for the Franchise but there are still doubts about whether he is fully fit to give in a good performance.
5. Delhi Capitals:
Delhi Capitals will be missing the likes of Rishabh Pant who got injured in a car accident recently. Rishabh Pant is an indispensable member of the Delhi Capitals squad and his absence may hurt the prospects of his Franchise. It is certainly a weakness that Delhi Capitals will have to cope up with.
6. Gujarat Titans:
Gujarat Titans have persisted with Vijay Shankar and also added the big hitter Odean Smith in their squad. Both these players have failed to garner big returns in the previous IPL edition. We will have to wait and see if both these players will feature in the Titans line-ups but their form is definitely a worry for Gujarat Titans.
7. Lucknow Super Giants:
The Franchise performed well in the previously conducted IPL. However, their skipper KL Rahul has been in a horrible form in white ball as well as red ball cricket. For him to lead the side into playoffs, he will have to bring in his A game to play. He bats in the upper order and if he fails to fire in the powerplay overs, Lucknow Super Giants will be in for a trouble. Apart from him, the current form of Quinton de Kock is also a great concern. He didn’t perform according to the expectations in the recently concluded SA20 tournament and hopefully he can turn the tables in IPL 2023.
8. Rajasthan Royals:
The main concern for Rajasthan Royals is the lack of strike bowlers. Picking up wickets in the powerplay overs sets the tone of the game. Rajasthan Royals have included the likes of Obed McCoy and Kuldeep Sen in their squad but neither of them have proved their mettle at the top level competition yet. Apart from Trent Boult, no other fast bowler looks threatening to jolt the opposition in the upcoming IPL 2023.
9. Royal Challengers Bangalore:
RCB are lacking all rounders in their squad. The only all rounders featuring in the RCB squad are Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahipal Lomror. There is great importance for an all rounder in T20 cricket and this is one place where Royal Challengers Bangalore will be struggling in the upcoming competition.
10. Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Sunrisers Hyderabad have only named one specialist opening batter, Mayank Agarwal in their squad. Most of the batters in their lineup are middle order players including the likes of Harry Brook and Aiden Markram. Sunrisers Hyderabad should have looked for a specialist opening batter for the IPL 2023.