IPL 2023: Best Indian XI after the third week

We just ended the third week of India's biggest cricket carnival IPL. The sixteenth season of the Indian Premier League has started on a bang and continues to be a blockbuster show. In this week's fixtures, we have seen some of the best games of this season. From high scoring innings to close quarter matches, this week has been nothing short of entertainment.

By the end of this week, each team has played at least 4-5 matches and they found their momentum going. Courtesy of some fine performances both by Indian and foreign players. Their individual brilliance complemented their team's performance to the victory. We have considered some individual performances by Indians and tried to make the best Indian XI possible.

We had to omit some names due to place constraints or someone has better records at that batting position. And we have tried to make a balanced team which can take on any team on its given day. We're going with 5 batters, 1 wicket keeper, 1 all-rounder and  4 bowlers.

Let's take a look back at CricTracker's this week's Best Indian IPL XI:

1) Ishan Kishan (wicket keeper) 96 runs off 56 balls, SR 171, 8×4, 7×6

The Jharkhand lad Ishan Kishan has been apple eyed boy for his franchise Mumbai Indians. Since making his debut for Gujarat Lions, he shifted his base to Mumbai Indians in 2018. He's one of the most costliest buy in the auction history of IPL. His batting flexibility gives him an edge over  most of his contemporaries.

But for quite sometime now, he has established himself as opening partner to his captain Rohit Sharma. The left hand bat is known for his attacking cricket. Due to Rohit Sharma's recent form, Ishan has taken the charge to give MI a good start. During this week, Kishan has scored runs at 171 strike rate. His 96 runs off 56 balls in two matches saw eight fours and seven sixes.

As the stat suggests he got 77% of his runs off boundaries, it indicates he made full use of the powerplay. And as opener, it's your first and foremost job to take the advantage. Besides, opening he also does keep the stumps. He's pretty good at keeping. As he made his way into the XI, we don't have to worry about another wicket keeper per se.

 2) KL Rahul 113 runs off 88 balls, SR 128, 12×4, 2×6

KL Rahul finds himself at non striked end to Ishan Kishan. KL has proved himself to be an IPL beast. Over the years, he has scored tons of runs for his franchises. Though he's strike rate, intent can be a big issue to discuss. But keeping that aside, you would like to have him in your side.

In this week's play, he has got 113 runs off 88 balls. 53% of runs came off the boundaries. It suggests that he doesn't relt on big shots that much. Incase boundaries aren't coming still you can ticking the scoreboard with singles and doubles. KL gives you that kind of advantage when he's in the middle.

He's technically sound, no doubt about that. When Ishan keeps hitting from one end, some needs to hold on the other end. KL does that job pretty well. Even if wickets keep falling from on end, you can be assured KL will bat through the innings to post a respectable total. And his vast experience will come into play at some point.

3) Virat Kohli 115 runs off 85 balls, SR 128, 12×4, 2×6

The former RCB captain makes his way into the XI at batting number three. He makes his cut into squad on the basis of runs this week. He got to play 3 matches this week which is most. He reached fifty twice.

He will be crucial in the middle phase, where it's hard to get boundaries easily as the field is spread out. Incase, an early wicket fells, he can go in the middle. Though he has played as opener only in this season, it may look hard to adjust at number three. But when the batter is Virat Kohli, you can expect that much from him, no issues.

Moreover he can accelerate later on, which KL lacks a bit. Sometumes, his presence on the field intimidates the fielding side. He has captained RCB for longer period, so he can help the captain. He's been a terrific fielder himself which is an added bonus.

4) Tilak Varma 67 runs off 42 balls, SR 160, 5×4, 5×6

South paw bat Tilak Varma is this team's number 4. One of the most promising performer in the last year and a half in the IPL. This uncapped Hyderabad born player plays for Mumbai Indians. Everyone are awestruck by his shots. He's orthodox, yet scores runs quickly and consistently.

His performance makes him an automatic choice in the playing xi. He gives righty lefty combo in the middle. The young agile fielder is in fine form. Hailed by Mahela Jayawardene himself as 'Massive Talent', Tilak is going strong.

If all goes right and he keeps on putting such impactful perfomances, we may get to see him in Bleed Blue sooner than expected. Even Rohit Sharma has indicated.  Moreover, he can bowl off break which is rare in India for a top order bat to roll arms. Hardik will keep an keen eye on his performance.

5) Nitish Rana (captain) 84 runs off 58 balls, SR 145, 6×4, 6×6, 2 wickets taken

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Nitish Rana has been pretty impressive as captain this season. He retains his captaincy role here as well. In this week, he has captained his team thrice, but won once. Though he didn't get results in his favour, he's going strong with his boys.

He can hit big shots off the spinner in the middle phase. The week he has scored 71% runs off boundaries which is a positive sign according to the situation he plays in. He can be handy with the bowl in hand as well. Against Delhi, in a low score affair we have seen that.

He's aggressive on the field. Rotating his bowlers to get the outcome. Sadly most of the times, he got close to winning the match but ended on losing side. And his spirit keeps the team environment healthy in the defeats. He's a young blood driving the team.

6) Rinku Singh 82 runs off 57 balls, SR 128, 7×4, 4×6

This has been Rinku' IPL and all other teams are playing in it. From his heroics against Gujarat, he's become a threat to the opposition much like Rahul Tewatia did. There's a fear in the bowlers eyes, no matter how much run they need if Rinku is there anything can happen. To instil fear, Rinku has hitting the bowl high enough to clear the ropes.

He comes at bat at 6 or 7, which is hardest in T20 cricket to go from ball one. He hits the ball hard and finds the gap. You need someone to finish strong to cross the par score. Rinku is the man. He can get you the 15-20 extra.

He may be close to India call-up in T20s. India need a powerful hitter who can finish well. They may find one in Rinku. He's seen a lot in life before reaching where he's today. Now, life will take him up and up.

7) Axar Patel 40 runs off 36 balls, SR 111, 4×4, 0×6

Axar Patel is the man in Indian Cricket, no matter what the format or jersey he does play for. He's always finds success. His hardwork paying off at right time. Carrying his team india form into the IPL, he's getting runs here as well, taking wickets. He makes his way as the sole all-rounder in the team.

The only win his franchise had this season is due to him. He took out his team from a tricky position against KKR. He can hit those big shots, improved his long range shots. He bowled accurately stumps to stumps. He does change variation to deceive the batter.

He's one of the best AR going in India at present,if not better than Jadeja but par atleast. He's young, experienced person. Understands his game well and play according to the situation. He comes in the squad as an automatic choice.

8) Kuldeep Yadav 7-1-38-2, ER 5.43, SR 21

One of the much improved bowlers in recent times is Kuldeep Yadav. The left arm chinaman was once KKR's first choice player, since there from getting dropped, out of his rhythm, lost India place then DC comeback. He has seen a lot, now we're seeing a matured Kuldeep. As they say spinners get stronger as they age.

He's pitching it up, varying his pace. Hitting the right length was one of his major issue, he overcame that. Now, he has started deceiving batter in the air, off the pitch. He's been performing well for DC, but getting unnoticed because of defeats.

Mostly he has bowling throughout the innings. Warner has brought him in all phases of the match. It makes him more lethal, seasoned campaigner. Kuldeep has made into ODI side and seems he carries the confidence into IPL as well.

9) Mohammed Shami 4-1-25-3, ER 6.25, SR 8

Team India's leading pacer Mohammed Shami finds his name into this playing XI as well. This week he has played only one match for Gujarat Lions. But still got 3 wickets for his side, though it was in defeat. He pulled the match almost for them, but it was Hetmyer's night. 

He can give you the early breakthroughs. It takes your team ahead of opponent. His upright seam movement, control, accuracy set him apart from his colleagues. He's much improved T20 bowler now.

He is an integral part of Gujarat's success in IPL. His experience helped Hardik a lot. And in the eleven, he will get Nitish Rana. He's a smart weapon, captains just need to utilise him properly.

10) Sandeep Sharma 8-0-57-3, ER 7.125, SR 16

Sandeep Sharma is a legend himself. He's been unfortunate to not play for team India. But his perfomance hasn't been below par since he made his debut. This year he's playing for Rajasthan Royals. And he along with Trent Boult is cleaning up the top orders.

He bowls inswinger and outswinger which still troubles the batter. Now days, he's coming handy as a death bowler as well. Special mention to the Dhoni over. He's happy to go person, which keeps the team mood lite.

He can add runs with bat as well, incase you need some at end. He has credited Lasith Malinga for his yorker success. And he's been executing his guru's weapon smartly. Rajasthan is getting benefitted from him.

11) Mohammed Siraj 12-0-74-7, ER 6.17, SR 10.30

In Jasprit Bumrah's absence, if one bowler is coming to through the ranks and makes us not missing him, it's Mohammed Siraj. He's grown leaps and bounds. The way he's been performing for last year and a half is nothing short of a dream. He's delivering performances consistently. 

This season, he's on another planet. In third week itself he picked up 7 wickets conceding less than 75 runs. He bowls upfront in powerplay and then at the end. He's been successful at both places.

When he was retained ahead of Chahal, RCB received lots of criticism, now they're getting the praise. His wobble seam, inswinger coming off the hands really well. He's grown to be a smart bowler. He's flying like a beast for team India as well as for RCB.