IPL 2023

AHMEDABAD: There have been many batsmen who have surprised with unexpected performances in the IPL season. Many of them have never played a single match for the national team. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has picked the best batsmen of the season ahead of the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans on Sunday. However, it is interesting to note that Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill, who has been in explosive form this season, and Royal Challengers Bangalore superstar Virat Kohli, who has performed well, are missing from his list. However, Sehwag’s selection was before Gujarat Titans’ second qualifier against Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, Sehwag has his own explanation for his selection. The former player explained that he did not list more openers because they got a lot of opportunities.

Ringkusingh of Kolkata Knight Riders, Shivam Dubey of Chennai Super Kings, Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians, Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Yaswasi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Rolls are the best batsmen in Sehwag’s list. Although four of them are Indians, Yaswasi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh have not played for the country.

“Rinku Singh is the first batter that comes to my mind. I don’t think I’ll ask why. Never before has a batsman bowled five consecutive sixes to win a match. Only he did it. The second batsman is middle-order player Shivam Dubey. His strike rate is above 160 with 33 sixes. Dubey, who hasn’t done much in the past few seasons, came into this year with a clear intention to hit sixes.

Third Yashaswi Jaiswal is a good opener. His brilliant batting made me pick him. Then there is Suryakumar Yadav. Ethan did not perform well in the pre-IPL internationals and at the start of the IPL, but later he started to perform well. The other is Hentich Klasan of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sehwag said that he is one of the rare foreign players who has scored more runs in the middle order and can handle both spin and pace.