Notably, the elite status of MS Dhoni and a pinch of his magic was sprinkled all over the IPL 2023 while the likes of Faf du Plessis, and Wriddhiman Saha exhibited youth-like exuberance despite being considered past their prime.
The final showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium largely belongs to the likes of Sai Sudharsan, Devon Conway, and Ravindra Jadeja hogging the limelight after the rain interruption that delayed the proceeding by more than 24 hours.
However, there were names, who slipped under the radar despite several key performances for the top three teams (Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians). MyKhel brings to you three such names, who didn’t get enough praises they deserves
Top 5 stars from underperforming franchises this season
Afghan teenager Noor Ahmad was among the breakthrough star of the season with 16 wickets to his name in 13 games. His match-winning spell of 3/37 against Mumbai Indians in the league phases was overshadowed by Abinav Manohar’s 21-ball 42 knock.
Mohammad Shami (28 wickets) and Rashid Khan (27) were the stars of the bowling team as they ruled the Purple Cap race. However, Noor Ahmad showed he was more than an understudy as the wrist spinner kept the batters guessing with his tricks.
He bowled at an average of 23 runs with an economy rate of 7.82 while one of his best spells came under pressure in the final as the youngster delivered a 2/17 (3 overs); removing both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway.
Tushar Deshpande (Chennai Super Kings)
Tushar Deshpande didn’t have the best of the IPL 2023 final as the pacer gave away 56 runs in his quota of overs as B Sai Sudharsan and Hardik Pandya went after him. The bowler, however, finished the season with 21 wickets and was CSK’s highest wicket-taker in the season.
His spell of 3/45 against Royal Challengers Bangalore shut down his trolls as the bowler was seen as a weakling in the CSK team, who struggled initially. The bowler led the Orange Cap early on while the side struggled with a flurry of injuries to their pacers in Deepak Chahar, Kylie Jamieson, Mukesh Chowdhury, Sisanda Magala and Simarjeet Singh. His importance was acknowledged by MS Dhoni too, who was pleased to see bring his domestic form to IPL.
Piyush Chawla (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai Indians bowling has been widely regarded as the reason behind their downfall for the season with pace bowling considered the prime suspect. Jofra Archer either bowled poorly or struggled with injuries while Jasprit Bumrah missed the entire season.
Their spin would have been equally woeful too if not for Piyush Chawla, who finished the season with 22 wickets in 16 matches. The experienced leg spinner achieved the unwanted distinction of becoming the first bowler in IPL to concede most sixes in IPL history but the 34-year-old veteran remains the third-highest wicket-taker in 16 seasons.
His bowling economy was respectable in IPL 2023 too at 8.11 and remained a regular wicket-taker throughout the IPL while finishing as the side’s highest wicket-taker and second-most successful spinner overall in the season.