JOE WILLIAMS reflects on another action-packed Indian Premier League campaign by selecting an all-star lineup from those who performed best over the course of the season. Do you agree with the selections?
Chennai Super Kings claimed the 2023 Indian Premier League crown with a dramatic win over Gujarat Titans.
But which players make up The Cricketer's all-star XI for the season just gone?
Read on and find out...
Shubman Gill
The Gujarat Titans' charge to a second successive final came on the back of Gill's efforts with the bat.
He was unstoppable with 890 runs to his name, the highest run-scorer in the tournament. That is almost double the amount of his previous best IPL season: he hit 483 in the 2022 edition.
With the season on the line in Qualifier 2, he hit an incredible 129 to lead the team to the final.
The first name on the Titans team sheet and an easy first choice for the team of the tournament.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal was the revelation of the tournament for Rajasthan Royals. After two modest seasons he kicked on this year and showed himself to be one of the most promising batsmen in India with a haul of 625 runs.
While some of his more experienced teammates failed to live up to their form of last year, he picked up the slack as the Royals narrowly missed out on the Eliminator.
The season was summed up by match 42. The 21-year-old showed poise and perfect timing as he hit 129 but his teammates weren't able to back him up as Mumbai Indians chased down their target of 213.
An incredible individual season from the youngster; this won't be the last time he is an IPL team of the tournament.
Faf Du Plessis
The explosive South African once again showed why he is so highly sought after in T20 cricket.
This was not only his best season in a Royal Challengers Bangalore shirt but his best season in the IPL when it comes to run-scoring.
In his second year as the Bangalore captain, he hit 730 as he and Virat Kohli took the team agonisingly close to post-season qualification. But no matter how good he was, Bangalore are going to Bangalore.
The perennial underachievers just missed out again, but no one can point to Du Plessis, who provided the fans with plenty to cheer about along the way.
Devon Conway
The New Zealand batsman had the type of season he has always looked capable of but has not always shown in franchise cricket.
He formed a formidable opening partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad as the two fired Chennai Super Kings to yet another final.
Conway's consistency in reaching 672 runs in the tournament sealed his place.
His knock of 92 not out may not have won the game against Punjab Kings last month but it was an impressive display that had pundits predicting he would be the Orange Cap holder by the end of the tournament.
While that award eluded him, perhaps a place in this team will be consolation.
Ishan Kishan
The 24-year-old had a good season with the bat and the gloves for Mumbai Indians.
Kishan seemed to be hitting form at the right time as Mumbai marched into the post-season with a string of impressive scores from the keeper.
The 'what if' moment for Mumbai came when Kishan collided with his teammate in Qualifier 2, which meant he could not bat.
However, with a record of 454 runs, 10 catches and three stumpings he has more than earned his place in this team.
Cameron Green
Some eyebrows were raised when Mumbai went all out in the auction to ensure Green would turn out for them this year.
The tall Aussie allrounder, who had little T20 match experience before, showed he could be relied upon in the big moments.
In a must-win match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Green almost single handedly pushed his team over the line. He hit his first T20 century in the match and then followed it up with knocks of 41 and 30 in the Eliminator and Qulaifier.
He hit 452 runs over the season and finished with six wickets. Green proved himself to be a top performer and one that his team looked to in the big moments.
Axar Patel
In an otherwise nightmarish season for Delhi Capitals, Axar Patel has been Mr Consistency with both bat and ball.
The experienced left-arm spinner took 11 wickets in the tournament but contributed with the bat more than he has done in his previous nine seasons in the IPL, hitting 283 runs.
He hit his first ever half-century against Mumbai Indians, his 54 runs turned a whitewash into a competitive game as he tried to keep his team afloat.
This may not have been Patel's most exciting season, but his consistency and his tenacity see him make into this team.
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja seems to have returned to the peak of his powers after a frustrating 2022 season.
The left-arm spinner has been a magnet for controversy and rumours since he stepped down from the captaincy last year. However, suggestions of a breakdown with MS Dhoni don't appear to have affected the trust the two have on the pitch.
Jadeja remains Dhoni's go-to bowler when a wicket is needed. He finished with 20 wickets with a solid economy below eight. And then came his epic contribution to the final with the bat, hitting 10 off the final two deliveries to secure Chennai Super Kings the title.
Rashid Khan
At 24 years old, the leg-spinner already has an impressive T20 franchise record behind him. But the Afghanistan bowler only seems to be getting better as he continues to give IPL batters nightmares in Gujarat Titans colours.
He finished with 27 wickets, and was the thorn in Mumbai Indians' side this year, taking 4 for 30 near the end of the season and 2 for 33 in Qualifier 2 to help his side back to the final.
Gujarat's bowlers have been electrifying this year and Khan has been a huge part of that.
Mohammed Siraj
Siraj has shown his pace and skill many times for both the Indian national team and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But this season he stepped it up a notch.
The fast bowler claimed 19 wickets at an impressive economy rate for a speedster of 7.52. He had an incredible performance against Punjab Kings where he took 4 for 21 in a 24-run win.
Bangalore will reflect on another disappointing season, but Siraj's trajectory still only seems to be going up.
Mohammed Shami
The experienced seam bowler was in scintillating form this year for Gujarat Titans. He led a stellar bowling lineup that holds the top three wicket-takers in the tournament.
Shami topped the lot, winning the Purple Cap for his 28 victims.
Gujarat were regularly able to lean on some big performances from the Indian international.
While he cleaned up against the teams at the bottom - 4 for 11 against Delhi and 2 for 21 against Hyderabad - he also dominated against the form sides.
In the post-season he took 2 for 28 against Chennai and 2 for 41 against Mumbai. Shami continues to set himself apart in T20 cricket.
Honourable mentions: Virat Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mohit Sharma
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