Gill, SKY, Shami, Boult Combine For Franchise Team of the Year 2023; Here's Entire XI
Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap in IPL 2023 (Source: x.com)
We are nearing the end of 2023. As far as Cricket is concerned, it has been a crazy year, and we have seen some dramatic performances. As the game evolves, the franchise leagues are becoming an integral part.
This article will try to form an ideal XI from the outstanding displays in franchise leagues worldwide. The leagues considered in this case are - the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Bangladesh Premier League, Major League Cricket, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, and the Lankan Premier League.
Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers)
Matt Short was the Player of the Tournament in BBL 2022-23 (Source: x.com)
BBL 2022-23
Matches: 14 Runs: 458 Average: 35.23 Strike Rate: 144.48 Wickets: 11 Economy Rate: 7.14
The Aussie all-rounder had a terrific BBL 2022-23 season. Matt Short did it all for his team with the bat and the ball. He scored 458 runs at an average of 35.23 and a strike rate 144.48.
He also helped his team with the ball as he picked up 11 wickets in the tournament, conceding runs at an economy of 7.14 and a bowling average of 22.82. This excellent all-round performance led him to win the Player of the Tournament award and also finds him a place as the first opener of this XI.
Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)
IPL 2023
Matches: 17 Runs: 890 Average: 59.33 Strike Rate: 157.80
The young Indian maverick was brilliant in the IPL 2023. Shubman Gill was consistent throughout and scored 890 runs in 17 innings. He scored the runs at a strike rate of 157.80, averaging 59.33. He emerged as the top run-scorer for the tournament, and he walks into this side without any question as the second opener.
Nicholas Pooran (WK) (MI New York and Trinbago Knight Riders)
Nicholas Pooran scored a century in the final of the MLC 2023 (Source: x.com)
MLC 2023
Matches: 8 Runs 388 Average: 64.66 Strike Rate: 167.24
Nicholas Pooran had a brilliant year in T20 cricket. He performed beyond excellence in the MLC 2023. Pooran stacked up 388 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 167.24 and an average of 64.66. He scored a brilliant hundred in the tournament's final, leading MI New York to the first-ever MLC title.
CPL 2023
Matches: 11 Runs: 291 Average : 32.33 Strike Rate: 155.61
Pooran carried his form from the MLC into the CPL. He emerged as an asset for the Trinbago Knight Riders team. In CPL 2023, Pooran scored 291 runs in 10 innings at an average of 32.33 and a strike rate of 155.61. His brilliant display in the two tournaments earns him a spot on this team as a top-order wicket-keeper batter.
Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)
IPL 2023
Matches: 16 Runs: 605 Average: 43.21 Strike Rate: 181.14
The Mumbai Indians did not have the best of IPL seasons. But Suryakumar Yadav was one of their biggest positives in the 2023 season. He began slowly but gradually picked up momentum with the bat. By the end of the tournament, Surya had scored 605 runs at an average of 43.21 and a staggering strike rate of 181.14. His presence in this team will add dynamism and flexibility to the team.
Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad and Durban's Super Giants)
IPL 2023
Matches: 12 Runs: 448 Average: 49.78 Strike Rate: 177.08
Heinrich Klaasen is going through a golden time in his career. He was above excellence in 2023 in the Indian Premier League and the SA20 league.
In the IPL, Klaasen was the lone warrior for the Sunsrisers Hyderabad in most matches. He scored 448 runs at a staggering strike rate of 177.08 and an average of 49.78.
SA20 2023
Matches: 10 Runs 363 Average: 60.50 Strike Rate: 164.25
Klaasen had a brilliant IPL, just an extension of the brilliant form from the SA20 2023. While playing for Durban's Super Giants, Klaasen amassed 363 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 164.25 and an average of 60.50. His excellent form in the T20 leagues around the globe makes him a profound member of this middle order.
Aiden Markaram (C) (Sunrisers Easter Cape)
Aiden Markram led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the first ever SA20 title (Source: x.com)
SA 20 2023
Matches: 12 Runs 366 Average: 33.27 Strike Rate: 127.97
Aiden Markram led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape from the front in their run to win the first SA20 2023 title. He scored 366 runs in 12 matches at an average of over 30 and a strike rate of over 120. Furthermore, Markam showed in the World Cup 2023 that he could be a deadly finisher. Hence, he takes his place as the skipper and a finisher in this team.
Markran can also be useful for the team with his off-spins, if and when required.
Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders)
IPL 2023
Matches: 14 Runs: 474 Average: 59.25 Strike Rate: 149.53
IPL 2023 was the breakthrough season for Rinku Singh. After an unbelievable feat against the Gujarat Titans, where he finished with five consecutive sixes off the last five balls in the match, the doors to the bigger stages started to open. But it was not a one-off show from the southpaw. He was consistent throughout the tournament, stacking up 474 runs in 14 matches at an average of 59.25 with a strike rate of 149.53. There is no way one can think of a T20 team for 2023 without Rinku Singh in it.
Wanindu Hasaranga (B-Love Kandy)
LPL 2023
Matches: 10 Runs: 279 Average 34.87 SR: 189.79 Wickets: 19 Economy Rate: 5.31
Wanindu Hasaranga had a dream Lankan Premier League 2023. He topped the charts in both the batting and bowling departments. While with the bat, he scored 279 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of over 180, with the Hasaranga picking up 19 wickets while conceding runs at a rate of 5.31 runs per over. His contributions as an all-rounder in the tournament make him an integral part of this XI.
Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers)
Sean Abbott was the highest wicket-taker of BBL 2022-23 (Source: x.com)
BBL 2022-23
Matches: 15 Wickets: 29 Average: 14.03 Economy Rate: 7.45
Sean Anthony Abbott had a brilliant outing with the ball in the BBL 2022-23. He picked up 29 wickets in 15 matches at a strike rate 11.31. Also, in The Hundred, Abbott showed his prowess with the bat. Thus, having him in the team adds depth to the batting while staying within the balance in the bowling department.
Trent Boult (MI New York)
MLC 2023
Matches: 8 Wickets: 22 Average: 10.36 Economy Rate: 7.39
Trent Boult looked unplayable in the MLC 2023. He picked up 22 wickets at a strike rate of 8.40 in just eight matches. Boult will be the new ball bowler of this team.
Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans)
IPL 2023
Matches: 17 Wickets: 28 Average: 18.64 Economy Rate: 8.03
The Indian pacer had a great 2023. Shami lit up the World Cup 2023 with his bowling efforts. But it started in the IPL earlier this year. He picked up 28 wickets in the tournament and emerged as the highest wicket-taker. Shami is a must-choice as Boult's partner in this team.
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
