IPL 2023: Ranking the Retained Players Best Playing 11 for all 10 Teams

Royal Challengers Bangalore, the best team on paper as we look at the ranking and rating of the retained players best playing 11 of all 10 teams for IPL 2023. 

We are left with less than a month for the IPL 2023 Auction, and all 10 franchises are currently busy planning for the players that they would like to purchase. As a prelude to the IPL 2023 mini Auction, all teams have already submitted the list of players that they have retained. 

A total of 163 players including 50 overseas players were retained by the 10 teams. While the retentions were as per expected, a few teams had to majorly overhaul their squad by retaining only the core players who are expected to be a part of their first-choice playing 11.

So, in this article, together with experienced Betbarter India specialists, we explore the ranking of the current best possible 11 of all 10 teams from the list of retained players for IPL 2023. As always, the teams are ranked basis the cumulative player ratings. Whereas Players are relatively rated basis of their last three IPL’s performance and their current International or Domestic form.

#10: Mumbai Indians – 8.27

Unsurprisingly, Mumbai Indians are at the number 10 position in terms of their current best playing 11. But even with superstars like Jasprit Bumrah, Jofra Archer, and Suryakumar Yadav, how come Mumbai Indians are ranked 10? Well, this is mostly got to do with the experience in their lineup.

Their current best playing 11 have inexperienced players like Brevis, Tilak Varma, Hrithik Shokeen, and Kumar Kartikeya. It is their rating that reduces the overall rating for MI. Nevertheless, MI would need to work on getting experienced players who can replace at least Shokeen and Kartikeya as that would make their team more potent. 

Mumbai Indians Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Hrithik Shokeen, Jofra Archer, Kumar Kartikeya, Jason Behrendorff & Jasprit Bumrah 

#9: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.33

At number 9, we have SRH, who retained only 12 players ahead of the IPL 2023 Mini Auction. So, it is quite easy to choose their current best 11. The only debate was to choose one between Kartik Tyagi and Fazalhaq Farooqi, and the latter seems more potent at the moment.

The current SRH team has a few players who may not feature in the starting 11 after the Auction. The team needs to find good replacements for the likes of Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Only then, they will be more competitive for IPL 2023. They would also need a good Indian wicket-keeper in the Auction.   

Sunrisers Hyderabad Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Glenn Phillips (wk), Abdul Samad, Washington Sundar, Marco Jansen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, T. Natarajan & Umran Malik.

#8: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.41

At number 8, we have KKR, who also retained only 14 players ahead of the Auction. Even as KKR have only INR 7.05 crores going into the Auction, they retained a good starting 11. This is most likely going to be their playing 11 unless for injuries or they get a better Indian keeper in the Auction. They still have their limitations, but if Gujarat can do it with a similar squad in 2022, why not Kolkata Knight Riders? 

Kolkata Knight Riders Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav & Varun Chakravarthy

#7: Lucknow Super Giants – 8.42

Number 7 might surprise you, but Lucknow’s low ranking is a result of the decisions they made in the Auction. They let go of the likes of Jason Holder, Manish Pandey, and Evin Lewis, and now will have to rely on Kyle Mayers, Mark Wood, and Ayush Badoni. The team is still decent, but would like to have a strong Indian and overseas batter for Kyle Mayers and Ayush Badoni.  

Lucknow Super Giants Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Deepak Hooda, Kyle Mayers, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mark Wood & Avesh Khan

#6: Rajasthan Royals – 8.52

Number 6 in the rankings sees the IPL 2022 runner-up, Rajasthan Royals. They have the same playing 11 that played in IPL 2022, but they are relatively weaker on paper as compared to other teams. Again, one may argue that they reached finals with this playing 11. But the major contributors to their fabulous run were Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal.

The only drawback of this playing 11 is the inexperience of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Riyan Parag and a lack of proper all-rounders. While Yashasvi and Padikkal are improving year-on-year, If they can get a good all-rounder from the Auction as Parag’s replacement, it would mostly solve their purpose of making a complete playing 11.  

Rajasthan Royals Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c&wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Obed McCoy, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna & Yuzvendra Chahal

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ALSO READ: IPL 2023: Full Retained Players List and Purse Left for All 10 Teams

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#5: Chennai Super Kings – 8.55

Chennai Super Kings may have finished at 9th position in IPL 2022, but that doesn’t take away the fact they had and still have a strong playing 11 on paper. Their retentions are on point, and their current best playing 11 has batting depth till 9 and they have 7 bowling options to explore. With around 20 crores still left, MS Dhoni and team could look for replacement options for Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, and Dwaine Pretorius, if needed.

Chennai Super Kings Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Dwaine Pretorius, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana & Mukesh Choudhary 

#4: Punjab Kings – 8.62

The number 4 sees the powerhouse Punjab Kings. Except for Mayank Agarwal, PBKS retained a strong team ahead of the Auction. Their current best playing 11 is almost identical to 2022 with only Shahrukh Khan replacing Mayank Agarwal. The only thing they would now need is a good replacement for Harpreet Brar. Rest all seems sorted for now. 

Punjab Kings Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rishi Dhawan, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar & Arshdeep Singh.

#3: Gujarat Titans – 8.64

You might be surprised to see IPL 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans at the number 3 position. But honestly, with all the limitations the team had, they played way above their weight in 2022. It was proper teamwork with mostly everyone stepping in to help GT win the 2022 campaign. 

Their current best 11 is slightly different from 2022 with Lockie Ferguson not being there. Even as this team won the IPL, they would need experienced replacements for the likes of B Sai Sudharsan and R Sai Kishore. Also, If the pitch favors pace, Yash Dayal can play ahead of R Sai Kishore.

Gujarat Titans Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), B Sai Sudarsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Matthew Wade, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami & R Sai Kishore.

#2: Delhi Capitals – 8.69

The second-best playing 11 from retained players belongs to Delhi Capitals, and rightly so. The team retained almost all their first-choice players, and their playing 11 looks almost set even before going into the Auction. The only thing they could look in the Auction is to purchase a good Indian pacer as a replacement option for Chetan Sakariya. However, even if they don’t it, they are good to go. 

Delhi Capitals Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c&wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Chetan Sakariya, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje & Khaleel Ahmed.  

#1: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8.92

The best playing 11 on paper based on retained players goes to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The team has the same playing on paper that played Qualifier 2 in IPL 2022. What’s good is that their first-choice players have only got better over time.

They have 6-7 outright match-winners, and that is what differentiates them from others. The only thing RCB could look to do is find a good replacement option for Mahipal Lomror. Rest 10 seems sorted for IPL 2023 with amazing bowling as their main strength.   

Royal Challengers Bangalore Best Playing 11 of Retained Players for IPL 2023:

Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood & Mohammed Siraj

So, that’s about the best possible of retained players for all 10 teams. Overall, RCB, Delhi Capitals, and CSK look set with their 11 even before going into the Auction. However, with good Auction money left, many teams like PBKS, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals have a good chance to make their team stronger. 

Thanks for reading! Looking at the Retained playing 11 of all the teams for IPL 2023, which one feels the best? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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