As the dust settles on the second week of high-octane 2023 Indian Premier League action, who makes The Cricketer's team of the week?
Dhawan, as holder of the coveted orange cap, slots into the top order in our team of the week. His unbeaten 99 against Sunrisers Hyderabad may have been bittersweet given their eventual loss, but it only consolidates a prolific start to this year's competition for the PunjabKings opener, scoring 233 runs from three matches at a healthy strike rate of 146.54.
While his scores of 52 and 79 against Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals alone make him worthy, it is his consistency of performances that secured his spot in this week's team. He's now averaging 51.00 at a strike rate of 170.00, and with no signs of slowing down, Buttler and the Royals will surely have their sights on going all the way this year.
No one was putting more pressure on Harry Brook than Harry Brook ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad's showdown against Kolkata Knight Riders, with the batter admitting to checking the response on social media following scores of 13, 3, and 13 in his first three IPL outings. Some were questioning his 13.25 crore price tag, but all questions were put to bed as Brook smashed his maiden IPL century in just 55 balls, with the Yorkshireman saying of his critics: "I am glad that I could shut them up."
Krunal Pandya smashed 34 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)
Dynamic and destructive, Pandya makes the cut for his match-winning performance against Sunrisers. Decisive figures of 3 for 18 and a quick-fire 34 from 23 were instrumental in Lucknow Super Giants' victory and saw them move level on points with league leaders Royals.
We can only assume Singh had one eye on making the cut this week. A now well-documented but no less remarkable display of hitting makes him a shoo-in, smashing the required five sixes off the last five balls of the match versus Gujarat Titans, clinching an extraordinary if unlikely victory. Carlos Brathwaite move over, it's time we remembered Rinku Singh's name.
Once a Chennai fan favourite, you'd be forgiven for thinking he's fallen out of favour after orchestrating the Royals' victory over the Super Giants. Ashwin contributed with both bat and ball, scoring a useful 30 off 22 balls and returning match figures of 2 for 25.
Rinku Singh in action for Kolkata Knight Riders (DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
One performance alone was enough to secure Pooran his place in this XI. A sensational display of power saw him clatter 62 at an incredible strike rate of 326.31, including seven sixes. This helped Lucknow overcome Royal Challengers Bangalore's daunting total of 212, the highest successful chase of this year's competition so far.
While it didn't quite see Chennai over the line against Rajasthan, Jadeja gave his team the most precious of cricketing commodities: hope. Excellent match figures of 2 for 21 and a blazing 25 from 15 at the back end of the innings means he makes the cut.
Making this list will be little consolation for a man who ought to have had the headlines this week. Thanks to one Rinku Singh, Khan securing of the first hat trick of this year's competition has gone somewhat under the radar, but that doesn't mean it's any less impressive. The leg-spinner registered his fourth hat-trick in T20s - the most by any bowler - by dismissing Andre Russell Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur off consecutive deliveries in the 17th.
Mohit Sharma hit form against Punjab Kings (PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)
Sharma excelled on his first professional appearance since November last year, frustrating Punjab Kings’ middle order with his medium pace. He returned impressive figures of 2 for 18, conceding just two boundaries during his four overs, putting on a squeeze in the middle of the innings as Kings were limited to 153 for 8.
The purple cap holder sneaks in at No.11 this week. Not only has he maintained his prolific start to this year's competition, but the attacking leg spinner has consistently picked up vital wickets at crucial points in the game, this week dismissing both Devon Conway and David Warner this week when they looked put the game beyond the Royals' reach.
Additional reporting by Seth Nobes
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