IPL 2023 : The Battle of the Captains 

IMAGE-AB de Villiers on the attack against Gujarat Lions. Photograph-BCCI

Are you ready for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) ?

The most awaited cricket tournament of the year, the 16th edition of the IPL is going to be bigger and better than ever before. The tournament will feature 10 teams playing 74 matches across 12 venues in India from March 31 to May 28. In this blog post, I will give you a sneak peek into what's new and exciting about IPL 2023 and why you should not miss it. If you're a cricket fan, you won't want to miss this amazing spectacle of cricketing action. 

First, let's take a look at the current activities going on in the IPL. The most recent media rights for the IPL were sold for a whopping $6.2 billion for the 2023-2027 seasons. This is a testament to the popularity and commercial success of the tournament. In addition, the digital streaming rights for the IPL have also been secured, which means that fans all over the world will be able to enjoy the tournament from the comfort of their homes.

One development that has been particularly exciting for fans is the potential expansion of the IPL to include new franchises. Although no official announcements have been made yet, there have been talks of adding two more teams for the 2023 season. This would bring the total number of franchises to 12, and create even more opportunities for players to showcase their skills.

Another area of focus for the IPL in recent years has been the development of women's cricket in India. The IPL has been a big supporter of women's cricket, and has taken significant steps to promote the game in the country. In fact, one of the new franchises that were sold for over $700 million in 2023 was exclusively for women's cricket. This is a huge step towards the growth and development of the game, and is sure to inspire a new generation of young cricket players in India.

The IPL has also been at the forefront of promoting sustainability in professional sports. In May 2022, the German Football League (DFL) passed a member resolution to promote sustainability among its members. The IPL has followed suit, and has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint by promoting environmentally-friendly practices in its stadiums and facilities. This is a positive step towards more sustainable and eco-friendly sports leagues.

In addition to the developments mentioned earlier, another exciting aspect of the IPL 2023 season will be the inclusion of international players. One of the reasons why the IPL is so popular is because it attracts some of the biggest names in international cricket. With a number of high-profile players from countries like Australia, England and South Africa among others, fans can expect to see some thrilling performances from these global stars.

Furthermore, one of the changes that are being considered for the 2023 season is to allow more teams to play in the tournament. Currently, there are ten franchises that compete in the league, but the league is exploring options to expand that number to 12. The addition of new teams will not only provide more opportunities for players to showcase their talent, but it will also increase the competitiveness of the tournament.

Another interesting development for the IPL 2023 will be the use of technology to enhance the fan experience. The league has always been at the forefront of technology adoption and this year will be no different. Fans can expect to see more technological innovations, including VR experiences, digital fan zones, and augmented reality elements in broadcasts.

What's new in IPL 2023?

IPL 2023 will mark the return of the home and away format after a long layoff. The teams will play their home games at their predetermined home grounds across the nation, giving them an advantage of familiar conditions and fan support.

IPL 2023 will also introduce some new rules and innovations to make the game more exciting and fair. The BCCI has introduced an Impact Player rule, which allows teams to name four substitutes or impact players in their squad for a match in addition to the starting XI. One of these may be used as a substitute during the match. Teams can also review wides and no-balls using DRS, as introduced in the Women's Premier League (WPL).

Who are the contenders for IPL 2023?

Captain      : MS Dhoni

Coach        : Stephen Fleming

Owner        : N. Srinivasan

Manager    : Russell Radhakrishnan

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. They have won the IPL title four times, and have the highest win percentage of matches among all teams in the IPL (58.98%). They hold the records of most appearances in the playoffs (eleven) and the Final (nine) of the IPL. 

Captain      : David Warner

Coach        : Ricky Ponting

Owner        : JSW Group, GMR Group

Manager    : Siddharth Bhasin

Delhi Capitals (DC)are one of the most improved teams in recent years. They reached their first- ever final in IPL 2020 but lost to Mumbai Indians by five wickets.

Captain      : Hardik Pandya

Coach        : Ashish Nehra

Owner        : CVC Capital Partners

Manager    : Satyajit Parab

Gujarat Titans (GT) are the defending champions, having won their maiden title in IPL 2022 by defeating Mumbai Indians in a thrilling final.

Captain      : Shreyas Iyer

Coach        : Chandrakant Pandit

Owner        : Red Chillies Entertainment

Manager    : Wayne Bentley

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have had mixed performances in recent years. They have won the IPL title twice, in 2012 and 2014, but later they failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2019 and 2020. However, they qualified for the playoffs in 2021 when they were 3rd runners up.

Captain      : KL Rahul

Coach        : Andy Flower

Owner        : RPSG Group

Manager    : Avinash Vaidya

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was formed in 2021 and is owned by Sanjeev Goenka. In its debut season, LSG qualified for the playoffs.

Captain      : Rohit Sharma

Coach        : Mark Boucher

Owner        : Indiawin Sports 

Manager    : Rahul Sanghvi

Mumbai Indians (MI) are the most successful team in IPL history with five titles under their belt.

Captain      : Shikhar Dhawan

Coach        : Trevor Bayliss

Owner        : Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, Karan Paul 

Manager    : Vikram Hastir

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are another team that has undergone a major overhaul in IPL 2023. They have appointed a new captain in Shikhar Dhawan, who replaced Mayank Agarwal. They have made some big signings in the auction such as Sam Curran, who became the most expensive player in IPL history with a price tag of ₹ 18.50 crore ( US$2.3 million), Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and Rashid Khan.

Captain      : Sanju Samson

Coach        : Kumar Sangakkara

Owner        : Manoj Badale, Lachlan Murdoch, RedBird Capital Partners 

Manager    : Romi Bhinder

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have had mixed performances in recent years. In 2021, when the tournament was suspended due to COVID -19 outbreak, they were placed fifth on the table with three wins and four defeats from seven matches

Captain      : Faf du Plessis

Coach        : Sanjay Bangar

Owner        : United Spirits

Manager    : Soumya Deep Pyne

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has finished as runners-up on three occasions between 2009 and 2016. In 2022, under the leadership of Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson, Head Coach Sanjay Bangar, and captain Faf du Plessis, RCB made it to the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

Captain      : Aiden Markram

Coach        : Brian Lara

Owner        : SUN Group

Manager    : Vijay Kumar

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise is owned by Kalanithi Maran of the SUN Group and was founded in 2012 after the Hyderabad-based Deccan Chargers were terminated by the IPL. SRH won their one and only title in 2016 under the captaincy of David Warner. In IPL 2022, SRH failed to make it to the playoff stages.

IPL Schedule 2023

What to expect from IPL 2023?

IPL 2023 promises to be a thrilling and entertaining spectacle for cricket fans and players alike. The tournament will showcase some of the best talents from India and abroad, who will display their skills and passion for the game. The tournament will also witness some intense rivalries and nail-biting finishes that will keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.

IPL 2023 will also offer a platform for young and emerging players to showcase their potential and impress the selectors for national and international opportunities. Some of the players who can make a mark in IPL 2023 are Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Azharuddeen.

IPL 2023 will also be a great opportunity for fans to witness some of their favorite players in action. Some of the players who will be playing their last IPL season are MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Dale Steyn. These players have been legends of the game and have contributed immensely to the success and popularity of IPL. They will surely receive a grand farewell from their teams and fans.

M S Dhoni

How to book online tickets for IPL 2023 ?

If you are a cricket lover and want to experience the thrill of IPL 2023 live in the stadium, you can book your tickets online on Bookmyshow or Paytm or Ticketgenie. The tickets will be available for all the matches and venues at different price ranges. You can also check out the IPL schedule and fixtures to plan your visit accordingly .

Links :     Book My Show      - BookMyShow (Android and IOS)

                Paytm                     - Paytm Insider (Android and IOS)

                Ticketgenie            - Ticketgenie 

How to watch IPL 2023 live?

If you want to watch IPL 2023 live on your TV or online, you have many options to choose from. In India, you can watch IPL 2023 live on Star Sports Network in various languages like Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali. You can also stream IPL 2023 live for free on Jio Cinema and the Disney+ Hotstar app or website with a subscription.

If you are outside India, you can watch IPL 2023 live on different channels or platforms depending on your country or region. For example, you can watch IPL 2023 live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, Willow TV in the US and Canada, Fox Sports in Australia and New Zealand, SuperSport in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, BeIN Sports in the Middle East and North Africa, etc. You can also stream IPL 2023 live on the YuppTV app or website in various countries such as Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia.

You can also follow the live updates and results of IPL 2023 on the official IPL website or app. You can also read the latest news and analysis of IPL 2023 on various websites or blogs like Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, Sportskeeda, etc.

All in all, the IPL 2023 promises to be a fantastic season of T20 cricket, with exciting developments both on and off the field. Fans can look forward to some thrilling matches, the inclusion of more international stars, technological innovations, and an increased focus on the health and safety of everyone involved.

So what are you waiting for? Get ready for IPL 2023 and enjoy the best cricketing action in the world. 

Don't forget to share your views and predictions with us in the comments section below.

For more update on IPL 2023, hit the link to official website of  IPL 2023 .

Note : Images in this articles belongs to respective owners and names used  are based on information available.