Best U23 IPL XI from current teams

It’s just been a week that the much-awaited Indian Premier League has hit the floors in the UAE and fans have already witnessed nail-biting finishes as matches have gone down to wires. With action-packed blockbusters guaranteed, nerve-wracking matches appear to be a delight for the eternal fans of the sport.

In what can be a sign of great future as far as the cricketing arena is concerned is the biggest revelations in the form of budding young talents. It goes without saying that players who could meet the expectations from the fans get an easy ticket to break into the national-side with their sheer performance.

On that note, this article attempts to pick up the best Under-23 players who are playing in the 13th edition of the cash-rich league. Making the fans and experts drool over their exploits on the 22 yards, these players hold the potential to shape the cricketing standards in the coming years. So, without further ado, let us get our eyes rolling down.

Here’s the best Under-23 IPL XI from the current teams:

1. Prithvi Shaw (C)

The rookie in the Indian cricket team holds special talent when it comes to delivering power-punch knocks when the team demands from him. Adding extra to Prithvi’s ordinary was the mentor of the Under-19 team, Rahul Dravid.

The Mumbaikar showcases the best skill-set and a rare cricketing brain whenever he walks down the dressing room. He scored the highest runs in the history of Under-19 cricket as far as Indian captains are concerned.

Breaking into the IPL for Delhi Capitals, the cricket prodigy has played 28 matches scoring magnificent 669 runs under his belt with an impressive average of 23.89. Off late, the right-handed batsman has played 3 matches and displayed his batting elegance as he scored 71 runs till now. Hence, Shaw justifies his position in the Under-23 team due to his wits and cricketing brain.

2. Devdutt Paddikal

The Karnataka-based cricketer rose to limelight due to his ballistic knock in the debut match against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he scored 53 odd runs, giving RCB a much-needed start which the star-struck team has been craving for years.

The 20-year old treasures immense skills when given a bat in his hands. With an ability to hit the ball from the first ball is what makes Devdutt special when compared to other batsmen.

The young gun has managed to score 111 runs in just 3 matches with a fantastic average of 37. The fact that the batsman just needs an opportunity to display a brilliant propensity of his prowess, he comfortable fits into the role of an opener.

3. Shubman Gill 

The Under-19 superstar, Shubman Gill, inked a lucrative deal with Kolkata Knight riders in the 11th edition of the IPL. The top-order decimator is always in the best tunes when he steps in the 22 yards. His batting aggression forces the bowler to think before throwing down a loose ball.

Till now, the optimistic batsman has been everyone’s delight to watch out. Shubman Gill fits accurately in the talent hunt contest. Having the potential to take control of the embroiling situation, the Punjab-born talisman rightfully received the emerging player of the tournament in IPL 2019.

Donning the purple-gold jersey in the 13th edition of IPL, Shubman showcased brilliant woodwork with crucial 75 runs on the board in the last match against heavyweight Sunrisers Hyderabad.  Thus, he can make his appearance as the No.3 position batsman in the squad.

4. Tom Banton

Desperate to take on the field for Kolkata Knight Riders, the champ is a rising star in the English cricket. The top-order decimator played for Somerset in the last domestic season which helped him get into the eyes of the team selectors.

Having the capacity to set the scoreboard on fire, he is a go-to man for any team as he can bail the team out from trouble with his swanky shots. The English cricketer will fill in the void of batting maestro Chris Lynn, who was also known for his similar batting forte. Banton has 623 runs in his cricketing bank at a glorious strike rate of 36.64.

Although Tom is yet to register his first match for KKR, the team management need not twiddle their fingers whenever they wish to change the squad. Trusting his domestic records, the gem perfectly will perform his roles and responsibility for his side.

5. Ishan Kishan (WK)

The wicketkeeper-batsman has a plethora of runs to his name. He holds the potential to deposit 30 odd runs extra in the team’s bank after the end of 20 overs. The Under-19 captain is the powerhouse of energy and the epitome of youth.

The aggressive middle-order batsman has played 38 matches in his IPL career. Amassing 794 runs with an impressive strike rate of 134.80, the swashbuckler renders full justice to his price money of whopping INR 5.5 crores. It is yet to be seen when this cricketing maestro dons the blue shirt and helps the team cross the line of triumph.

Scoring as many as 99 runs in the last match against Royal Challengers Bangalore has helped him hog headlines in the newspapers. The middle-order decimator always feels like he is one match away from setting milestones for the team. Hence, the 22-year-old Ranchi boy features into this list due to his phenomenal performance.

6. Sam Curran

The 22-year-old champion has donned the yellow jersey in the 13th edition of the IPL with sheer grace. Overall, the cricketing heartthrob has played 12 matches with an average of 21.83. With a glamourous strike rate of 189.85, the English superstar has scalped 15 wickets to his name.

Off late, Sam Curran has played three matches and has shown an enthralling display of his batting skills. The all-rounder has thrashed 36 runs so far and has grabbed five big wickets with ease.

Possessing an inherent quality to read the conditions of the match, he holds his complete right to be a part of this dream team. Featuring as an all-rounder, the talisman can change the course of the match with his mighty hands.

7. Shivam Mavi

Mavi holds one of the best potentials in the young lot to defeat the batsman with his pace. In December 2017, he was named in India’s squad for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He was eventually bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 IPL auction.

He made his Twenty20 debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 Indian Premier League on 14 April 2018. Recently, his performance against Rajasthan Royals proves his talent to take on bigger batsman with self-confidence.

Shivam has the capacity to lead the bowling department which can add pressure on the batsman and force him to throw a wicket by playing a shot out of desperateness. He perfectly fits into the shoes of T20 format as a result the tearaway all-rounder can come of great usage whenever the team needs him.

8. Rashid Khan

The 22-year old, joining hands with Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, can set the right tunes for any team. Adding the right balance to the squad, the duo gives confidence to the team that low-score can be chased if everyone performs their roles to perfection.

He is one of the most-wanted players in the money-induced tournaments occurring in different parts of the world. Having played 49 matches in the IPL, Rashid has scalped 59 wickets at a majestic economy of 6.51. Torpedoing opposition with the bat, Rashid has played the role of a finisher at times too.

The young maestro is a value-addition in any team. His outstanding performance in the cricketing field has helped him to etch as one of the best in the business players in the world.

9. Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi, the bowling sensation who grabbed attention due to his extremely fascinating performance in Under-19 World Cup, has been a talk of the town for months. Kings XI Punjab brought the young lad at a whopping price of INR 2 crore in the IPL auction 2020.

The 20-year-old has justified his hype in the cricketing arena with his brilliant performance. In only 3 matches, Ravi has scalped 4 major wickets at crucial moments, turning the tide on their side.

It is the mojo’s ability to make breakthroughs at the right time gives the side an extra-advantage who can bang the opposition with his street-smart bowling skills. Therefore, Ravi Bishnoi is one of the biggest revelations who will shape up Indian cricket’s future.

10. Kamlesh Nagarkoti 

His contribution was prominent in 2018 Under-29 World Cup in which India went on to cling the coveted trophy. The tearaway pacer can do wonders when given a ball in his rusty hands. However, he has been a victim of severe injuries which has affected the young gun’s career massively.

Kolkata Knight Riders showed their trust on Kamlesh which helped to etch his name as one of the youngest bowlers to feature in the world’s biggest cricket league– IPL. Till now, he has got an opportunity to don purple and gold only twice. However, the 20-year-old holds humongous talent to bring fears in opposition’s face.

Proving his mettle to be a part of the squad, Kamlesh adds another feather of dynamism in an already illustrious cap of greats. Hence, the 20-year-old makes the entire squad looks favourite to defeat any opposition in the world.

11. Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman

Afghan spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman brings energy and psychological advantage against the oppositions. The 19-year-old has played 16 matches as far as his IPL career is concerned. The spin king is a mystery bowler whose balls get unreadable for a batsman to figure out.

All in all, Mujeeb has scalped 17 important breakthroughs with an enthralling economy of 7.95. His brilliant record is suggestive of the lanky bowler’s bright future in the cricketing world.

Mujeeb quite passionately fits into the best XI due to his fantastic execution of plans and strategies at the ground. Also, he can keep the scoreboard in control as the courageous Afghani is known for trapping important wickets at the right time.