This season of the Indian Premier League 2023 has been full of surprises. From Ajinkya Rahane’s rapid turnaround that propelled him into contention for the WTC Final to Ishant Sharma’s brilliant return to IPL after more than two years, the IPL 2023 season has exceeded expectations. Let’s take a look at how experienced players have turned back the clock and stunned everyone this season:
Ajinkya Rahane (Chennai Super Kings)
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(Photo: ANI)
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Ajinkya Rahane has had a difficult couple of years, going from a high of leading India to one of the best comeback victories in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 to being sacked from the Indian national team. Rahane had struggled to keep up with the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, striking at 100-105 in his last three IPL seasons.
Rahane was acquired by CSK for just 50 lakhs this season after a disastrous season for KKR in 2022 that was cut short by a hamstring injury. Rahane only scored 133 runs in seven innings and struck out 103.91 times.
Rahane was brought into the team when Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali were unavailable, and he hasn’t looked back since. He now has the highest power play strike rate of 222.22 among those who have scored at least 100 runs. Rahane is attempting to replicate what Robin Uthappa done for CSK in previous seasons before retiring from cricket.
Sandeep Sharma (Rajasthan Royals)
(Photo: BCCI/IPL)
Sandeep Sharma had placed in the IPL every year since 2013, but went unsold in the IPL 2023 auction. However, because Prasidh Krishna was ruled out for the entire season due to a stress fracture, Sandeep joined the Rajasthan Royals as his substitute and has been a reliable choice for the power play and death overs.
Sharma had an unforgettable season last season, picking only two wickets in five matches and so being passed over by every franchise. Sandeep demonstrated his worth by defending 7 runs from 3 balls in the final over against Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease. After giving up 13 runs in the first three balls, Sandeep battled back to win by three runs.
Sandeep had taken crucial Royals wickets. So far, he’s taken the scalps of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and David Miller to help RR win against CSK and GT.
Ishant Sharma (Delhi Capitals)
(Photo: ANI)
Ishant Sharma, a veteran bowler, was selected by his local team, the Delhi Capitals, for merely INR 50 lakh. The veteran fast bowler, 34, returned to the lineup after a 717-day absence since his last appearance in 2021. Ishant, on the other hand, did not disappoint. His brilliant spell of 2/19 in 4 overs kept KKR at bay as they scored 127 runs from 20 overs. Ishant has only played one game so far, but he may be deployed as both a regular and an impact sub depending on the field and conditions.
Ishant was named ‘Player of the Match’ in DC’s win against Kolkata Knight Riders and bowled a brilliant stint against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday.
Mohit Sharma (Gujarat Titans)
(Photo: BCCI/IPL)
Mohit Sharma’s last season as an IPL regular before IPL 2023 was in 2018. Prior to it, he won the Purple Cap in 2014 and was a member of India’s ODI World Cup semi-final side in 2015.
Injuries then decimated his career, but a net-bowling spell with the eventual champions Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 paved his road back. Ashish Nehra, the Titans coach who had worked with Mohit at Super Kings, liked what he saw in the nets and purchased him at the IPL 2023 auction for INR 50 lakh. After Yash Dayal was thrashed for five sixes in the final over of the match by Rinku Singh, he was promoted to the XI ahead of Shivam Mavi and R Sai Kishore.
Mohit returned with into-the-pitch offcutters and back-of-the-hand slower ones that had previously impressed Dhoni at both CSK and India. In a Player-of-the-Match effort, he allowed only 18 runs in four overs while also dismissing Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran. It doesn’t get much better than this in terms of comebacks.
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Piyush Chawla (Mumbai Indians)