Three Captains Who Might be Match-Winners in IPL 2023 


image-lfnqrnnbHardik Pandya applauding the crowd after wnning the IPL 2022 (Twitter/@IPL)

India's biggest cricketing festival - The Indian Premier League is set to unfold its 16th edition and with tournament back to its traditional home and away format, we are all set for a blockbuster event.

The magnitude of the competition makes the role of the captains, the leaders of the side very critical and let's now see which three captains can turn out to the match-winners for their side in the 2023 season.

Hardik Pandya - Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandya, the Gujarat Titans skipper was absolutely magnificent in his inaugural season as a leader of a new franchise and led them to a title win in the very first season with his all-round skills. Hardik's all-round skills were critical in Gujarat's victorious campaign last season and once again the all-rounder will be key to his side's fortunes.

In the 15 games he played in the IPL 2022, Hardik Pandya scored 487 runs with the bat with an average of 44.27 and backed it up with 8 wickets with the ball. He delivered his best in the final of the season with a brilliant spell with the ball by picking three wickets and then guided a tricky chase with calm and composed knock of 34 off 30 balls.


The biggest thing that makes Hardik a very important player for his side is his ability to take the responsibility. He will most likely bat at number 4 for his side and has the ability to mould his game according to the game situation. With the ball in hand, Hardik took the new ball on many occasions and bowled pretty effectively and has the knack of providing crucial breakthroughs in crunch situations. He has also been in top-notch form for India in last year or so and this makes the Gujarat skipper a top-candidate to be a match-winner for his side.

David Warner - Delhi Capitals

David Warner has been the most successful overseas batter in the IPL.  He has been named the skipper of Delhi Capitals for the 2023 season with Rishabh Pant missing out and we can expect the southpaw to make a huge impact both with the bat and as a leader.  He has led Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past and made them champions in the 2016 season by piling up 848 runs with the bat.


So, once again with an opportunity to lead the side, Warner might bring out his best with the Aussie Ricky Ponting alongside him as a coach. He was also in great touch last season as he scored 432 runs in just 12 games at an average of 48 and strike rate of 150.52 and formed a lethal opening pair with Prithvi Shaw.

Also, Warner seems to have a point to prove in this IPL. He was recently demoted down the order by the Aussies in the ODI series against India and his Test future also seems uncertain at the moment. He was also unceremoniously removed as a skipper midway in 2021 season by SRH and all this might pump up Warner to deliver something memorable this season.

Sanju Samson - Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson has been an enigma! The man has developed almost cult following in last couple of years and took Rajasthan Royals to the final of the 2022 season with his clever leadership. 

His batsmanship has always been impactful and in the last season too, Sanju scored 458 runs with a smashing strike rate of 146.79.  In the 2021 season too he scored 484 runs and once he gets going, he can win the match for his side almost single-handedly. Sanju is set to bat at number 3 or number 4 and will have a critical role to play in his side's bid to go one better in this season.

Also, all over social media, people are going wild for Sanju's inclusion in the Indian side and this is a perfect opportunity for the Rajasthan skipper to make his bat talk. We can expect Sanju Samson to be more determined than ever to make an impact with World Cup around the corner and this could well turn out to be a SANJU SAMSON SEASON.

These are the three captains that are most likely to be match-winners for their respective sides and it is now our responsibility to get behind our favourite captain and bring out the loudest cheer as another cricketing carnival awaits us...