IPL 2023: Ranking the Best Openers of All 10 Teams

Royal Challengers Bangalore, the standout as we look at the ranking and rating of the openers of all 10 teams for IPL 2023. 

When we talk about the most important players in any batting lineup, openers would always gain the topmost position. They are the ones, who not only face the powerplay but also get to play the maximum number of balls. Hence, needless to say, the teams invest a lot in openers in a bid to have at least two solid options. 

The IPL 2022 had seen the teams settling for 2-3 options in the openers category. While 2022 was the starter to say categorically, 2023 shall be considered as a main course with almost all teams having a settled opening pair. Only a few teams have a slightly disturbed opening combination after having released the non-performing ones.  

So, in this article, we take a look at the rating and ranking of the openers of all 10 teams for IPL 2023. As a standard criterion, every team needs two solid openers, one good primary backup opener, and at least one decent secondary backup opener. Here’s the unique methodology that would help us arrive at the ratings. 

Methodology:

• Openers are classified as two first-choice good openers, primary backup opener, and secondary backup opener. 
• All openers are relatively rated on a scale of 10 against the benchmark opener, basis their last three IPL’s performance, and their current International / Domestic form with weightage being given to their IPL performance.

Benchmark Opener for IPL 2023: KL Rahul

Openers Ranking and Rating for IPL 2023: 

#10: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 7.60

Two Solid Openers: Mayank Agarwal & Abhishek Sharma 

Primary Backup Opener: Heinrich Klaasen

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Anmolpreet Singh & Rahul Tripathi

At number 10, we have the SRH with a rating of 7.6 in the openers category. It isn’t a surprise to see their name at this position as opening isn’t their strength. Mayank Agarwal is their best opener with a rating of 8.25, which is decent. We have considered Rahul Tripathi in the middle-order, hence Abhishek Sharma is their second-best opener with a rating of 7.25. In terms of backup, Henrich Klaasen and Anmolpreet Singh make up a rating of 8.25 and 6.75 respectively. 

#9: Kolkata Knight Riders – 7.65

Two Solid Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Litton Das

Primary Backup Opener: Venkatesh Iyer 

Secondary Backup Opener(s): N. Jagadeesan & Suni Narine

At number 9, we have Kolkata Knight Riders with a rating of 7.65 in the openers category. Quite surprisingly, KKR have 3 wicket-keepers in their top 4 openers’ choice. Neither are they extremely powerful openers nor they are mediocre. All their top openers bear almost the same rating. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is KKR’s best opener with a rating of 8. He is followed by Litton Das at 7.75, Venkatesh Iyer at 7.5, and N. Jagadeesan at 7.

#8: Gujarat Titans – 7.98

Two Solid Openers: Shubman Gill & Wriddhiman Saha

Primary Backup Opener: KS Bharat

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Matthew Wade & Kane Williamson 

Number 8 sees Gujarat Titans with a rating of 7.98. Shubman Gill remains Gujarat Titans’ key opener with a rating of 8.75. Unfortunately, apart from Gill, Gujarat have to rely on wicket-keepers Wriddhiman Saha and KS Bharat, who have a rating of 8 and 6.75 respectively. GT does have Matthew Wade as a backup option with a rating of 8.5, but he is better off playing as a finisher.

#7: Rajasthan Royals – 8.19

Two Solid Openers: Jos Buttler & Yashasvi Jaiswal

Primary Backup Opener: Devdutt Padikkal

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Dhruv Jurel & Joe Root

At number 7, we have defending champions Rajasthan Royals with a rating of 8.19 in the openers category. They are purely riding on Jos Buttler’s excellence, who is the second-best opener overall with a rating of 9.75. But apart from Buttler, RR have Yashasvi Jaiswal as the primary option with a rating of 7 and Devudtt Padikkal as a backup with a rating of 8. Apart from these three, RR can fall back on Joe Root (7.75) and Dhruv Jurel (5.5). 

#6: Chennai Super Kings – 8.27

Two Solid Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad & Devon Conway

Primary Backup Opener: Ambati Rayudu

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Ajinkya Rahane & Ben Stokes

Number 6 could surprise you seeing CSK’s name with a rating of 8.27 in the openers category. Honestly, CSK are better than the rating they have here. Devon Conway (8.5) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (8.5) are CSK’s best openers. They also have good backup options in the form of Ambati Rayudu (8) and Ajinkya Rahane (6). Ben Stokes (9.0), who is primarily a middle-order player can also be considered for the opening role if needed. 

#5: Mumbai Indians – 8.31

Two Solid Openers: Rohit Sharma & Ishan Kishan

Primary Backup Opener: Dewald Brevis

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Ramandeep Singh & Suryakumar Yadav

At number 5, we have Mumbai Indians with a rating of 8.31 in the openers category. MI have Rohit Sharma (9.0) and Ishan Kishan (8.75) as their two best openers. Apart from these two, MI does have Suryakumar Yadav and Dewald Bevis (7.5). But these two are better off playing in the middle-order. In addition, Ramandeep Singh (5.25) and Tristan Stubbs (7.25) can also take up the opening role, if required. 

#4: Lucknow Super Kings  – 8.37

Two Solid Openers: KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock 

Primary Backup Opener: Kyle Mayers 

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Manan Vohra

Number 4 sees Lucknow Super Giants with a rating of 8.37 in the openers category. Lucknow are once again a big name if we only consider the top 2 openers. KL Rahul is the benchmark opener with a rating of 10 and Quinton de Kock isn’t bad either with a rating of 9. Barring these two, LSG have decent options in the form of Kyle Mayers (7.0) and Mana Vohra (6.25). 

#3: Punjab Kings – 8.65

Two Solid Openers: Shikhar Dhawan & Jonny Bairstow

Primary Backup Opener: Prabsimran Singh

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Sam Curran

Coming to number 3, we have Punjab Kings with a rating of 8.65 in the openers category.PBKS have Shikhar Dhawan (9.50) and Jonny Bairstow (9.25) as two solid opening options. However, barring these two, PBKS have to rely on Prabsimran Singh (5.5), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (7.5) and Sam Curran (7) as decent backup options.  

#2: Delhi Capitals – 8.71

Two Solid Openers: David Warner & Prithvi Shaw

Primary Backup Opener: Phil Salt

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Rille Rossouw

At number 2, we have Delhi Capitals with a rating of 8.71 in the openers category. They have four solid openers in the form of David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Phil Salt, and Rille Rossouw. While there are three overseas options, it shouldn’t be a problem as DC can strategize accordingly. David Warner (9.5) and Prithvi Shaw (8.5) form two solid opening options. Whereas Phil Salt (8.25) and Rille Rossouw (8.25) form two good backup options.   

#1: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8.73

Two Solid Openers: Faf du Plessis & Virat Kohli

Primary Backup Opener:  Finn Allen

Secondary Backup Opener(s): Anuj Rawat

Finally, at the summit, we have Royal Challengers Bangalore with a rating of 8.73. RCB have two outstanding openers in the form of Virat Kohli (9.75) and Faf du Plessis (9.25). Complementing these two solid openers, we have Finn Allen (8.0) as a good backup option. Whereas Anuj Rawat (6.25) makes things only better for RCB in the opening area. 

So, that’s about the openers’ rating and ranking for IPL 2023. Overall, RCB does stand out in the opening department. In terms of the top five openers for IPL 2023, we have KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, David Warner, and Shikhar Dhawan.  

Thanks for reading! Which team has the best openers in IPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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ALSO READ: IPL 2023: Strongest Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

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