The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, after witnessing numerous remarkable performances throughout the season, ultimately reached its business end on Monday (May 29). The event concluded in a perfect manner, with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeating the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in a thrilling final and securing their fifth league title.
After the tournament’s successful conclusion, many experts came up with their ideal playing XI for the IPL 2023, featuring players who they felt were the best performers in the league. Two former Indian cricketer siblings, Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan, also joined in the trend and presented their respective best playing XIs from the event.
Speaking of Yusuf’s team, the veteran all-rounder selected ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ Yashasvi Jaiswal as his opener alongside orange cap winner Shubman Gill. While Yashasvi scored 625 runs in IPL 2023, Gill finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 890 runs. The third spot in Yusuf’s eleven went to the renowned Royal Challenger Bangalore (RCB) batter Virat Kohli, who scored 639 runs for his team. In the meantime, Suryakumar Yadav occupied the fourth position, with young sensation Rinku Singh securing the fifth position in Yusuf’s team. Nicholas Pooran was chosen as the wicketkeeper by elder Pathan, supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Rashid Khan in the lower middle order, as he assigned the spin duo the pivotal all-rounders role. The seamers in the 40-year-old’s eleven consisted of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Mohit Sharma, with Matheesha Pathirana as the impact player.
My Best XI of #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/ulAaOln2ko
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) May 30, 2023
On the other hand, Irfan made a few changes to his team’s lineup as compared to Yusuf and selected Faf du Plessis as the opener instead of Yashasvi. He also opted for Henrich Klaasen as the designated wicketkeeper, replacing Pooran. Notably, RCB skipper Du Plessis hammered 730 runs in IPL 2023, whereas Klaasen 448 runs.
My playing 12 (feels different to say this now ) for IPL 2023. What’s yours ??
1) Faf Du plessis (C)
2) Shubman Gil
3) Virat Kohli (Top order)
4) Surya Kumar Yadav (middle overs)
5) Heinrich klaseen (WK) (finisher)
6) Rinku singh (finisher)
7) Ravindra Jadeja (AR)
8) Rasid…— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 30, 2023
Yusuf Pathan’s team of IPL 2023 – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Matheesha Pathirana (Impact Player)
Irfan Pathan’s team of IPL 2023 – Faf du Plessis (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Matheesha Pathirana (Impact Player)
