IPL 2023 - The West Indian report
Saathvik Bhat assesses the impact of West Indians in the 2023 edition of the IPL
It's that time of the year when eyes turn to the IPL to assess how our men from the Caribbean are holding up. Who is hot and who is not?
The 2023 edition has been a mixed bag for those involved with some even questioning if this is the end of the IPL road for some of the GOATs of West Indies T20 cricket.
Saathvik Bhat takes a look at the report card for all the Caribbean players playing in India.
1. Shimron Hetmyer (RR)
Rating- A
Stats-
10 innings, 211 runs, HS 56* VS GT, Ahmedabad, 35.16 Average, SR 145.51
IPL's million-dollar Caribbean boy Shimron started his IPL season for Rajasthan, with an absolute bang, finishing the innings for Rajasthan Royals in some of the tense chases against Punjab and Gujarat.
Whilst he has tapered off since his overall impact has ensured the Royals are in the top four.
2. Nicholas Pooran (LSG)
Rating- A
Stats-
10 innings, 245 runs, HS 62 VS RCB, Average: 27.22, SR: 164.42, 1 × 50s
Keeping- 3 stumpings, 3 catches
One of the four players to breach the 15-crore rupees mark in the IPL auction, Nicholas Pooran, repaid the trust by smashing the fastest fifty of IPL 2023 against RCB at Bengaluru.
Outside of that knock, he has also helped LSG get strong finishes at the back end of the innings, getting runs at a strike rate over 150.
Also, he has been decent behind the stumps, taking three catches and three stumpings.
3. Kyle Mayers (LSG)
Rating- A
Stats-
10 innings, 311 runs, HS 73 VS CSK, Average: 31.10, SR: 152.45, 4 × 50s
Bowling- 5 overs, 0 wickets, 6.40 Economy
After enjoying a golden run of form in the SA20 for the Durban Supergiants, Kyle Mayers got the opportunity to bat in the IPL, for the very first time and Kyle Mayers did what he did the best.
He showed the people his magic upfront by smashing the DC and CSK bowling attacks apart at a high strike rate on two slower surfaces in Lucknow and Chennai, respectively.
Since then his batting has slowed some what hitting only two 50s in his next eight innings.
He has also opened the bowling once or twice but is yet to get any wickets.
4. Alzarri Joseph (GT)
Rating- B
Stats-
5 innings, 7 wickets, BBI 2/27, Eco 8.84, SR 16.2
One of the most improved fast bowlers on the circuit Joseph was good in his first four outings for the Gujarat Titans side. But in a game versus Rajasthan Royals he conceded 47 runs in three overs and since then he has been replaced by Afghani spinner Noor Ahmad in the GT side. Considering the fact that the Ahmedabad surface will slow down considerably it will be hard for Joseph to receive a lot of chances going forward.
5. Andre Russell (KKR)
Rating- C
Stats-
Batting- 10 innings, 166 runs, HS 38* VS PBKS, Average- 20.75, SR: 148.21
Bowling- 10 innings, 7 wickets, BBI- 3/22 VS SRH at Kolkata, Eco 10.70, SR 11.28
One of KKR's iconic players, Andre Russell looks to be at the fag end of his wonderful T20 career.
His ball-striking power looks to be a lot more limited. His weaknesses have been exposed big time especially against leg spinners with great googlies. Also the fast bowlers are targeting him with leg stump yorkers or wider lines.
His bowling also isnt inspiring much confidence aside from a 3-for where he bounced the Hyderabad batters at Eden Gardens.
6. Sunil Narine (KKR)
Rating- C
Stats-
Batting- 8 innings, 14 runs, HS 7*, Average 2.80, 77.77 SR
Bowling- 10 innings, 7 wickets, BBI 3/33 VS GT at Ahmedabad, 8.76 Eco, SR 29.14
Sunil Narine is having one of his worst IPLs ever, arguably his bowling is the least effective it has ever been.
An economy of 8.76 runs/over represents his highest return since joining the IPL.
With the bat in hand, Narine the opener experiment is done and dusted, leading to Narine batting at no. 8 most times. This move has also not reaped any rewards.
7. Jason Holder (RR)
Rating- C
Stats-
Batting- 3 innings, 12 runs, Average 6.00, 109.09 SR
Bowling- 8 innings, 4 wickets, BBI 2/29 VS PBKS, Guwahati, 9.96 Eco, 42.75 SR
One of the best T20 all-rounders between 2020-21, Jason Holder was released by LSG and bought by RR for Rs. 5.5 Crores.
But, Jason Holder appears to have lost his midas touch, where he once used to not allow the batters at the death to get easy runs.
In the last two seasons, his death bowling economy has been over 9 runs per over, affecting his value as a T20 bowler.
Also, he has been demoted to no. 8 as a batter, below Ravichandran Ashwin, which shows how much the Royals have lost trust in his batting.
8. Rovman Powell (Delhi Capitals)
Rating- E
Stats-
Bat- 3 innings, 7 runs, HS 4, Average 2.33, SR 77.77
Ball- 1 innings, BBI 1/18, Eco 9.00, SR 12.00
The current West Indies T20i captain had a fantastic 2022, excelling in most of the T20 tournaments.
However the 2023 IPL hasn't been a great campaign.
His team Delhi Capitals has not been able to utilize him effectively often sending him out against spinners. This has lead to him getting out against the leggies and not being able to smack the sixes against the pacers.
Now he is out of the side and hasn’t been able to win his place back.
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The following players have been on the bench for whole of the time or received less game time:
● Akeal Hosein (SRH)
1 match VS Delhi Capitals at Delhi
- 1 wicket, 10 Eco
- 16 runs, SR 160.00
● Romario Shepherd (LSG)
● Odean Smith (GT)
● Obed McCoy (RR)
Thank you to Saathvik Bhat for the guest article you can find him on Instagram @thestatsman137
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