Countdown Towards IPL 2023

10 Days to go, 10 Things to watch out for

The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is just 10 days away and the excitement among fans is hitting the next level as the D-Day inches closer. With fans round the globe waiting for the calendars to turn to 31st, the players have started gathering at their home grounds and the dress rehearsals for the final showdown have been started off. With only 10 days to the 1st match of Tata IPL 2023, here’s a list of 10 things that fans are eagerly waiting to witness as the new season inches closer –

1. The Return of Thala on the Battlefield –

M.S. Dhoni is set to take field as the skipper of Chennai Super Kings after missing out on cricket action for one whole year and fans are eagerly waiting to witness ‘Vintage Mahi’ on the cricketing ground once again.

2. The Impact Player Rule –

The Indian Premier League has got more interesting than ever this time around with teams allowed to use the Impact Player rule. It means a team can substitute any one player from the Playing 11 with one of the 4 named substitutes. However, a foreign player can be used as an impact player only if the Playing 11 consists of less than 4 foreigners.

3. New Captains Taking Charge –

Shikhar Dhawan, Aiden Markram and David Warner are set to lead Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals for the first time and excitement among the home fans is at peak to witness new leaders take charge and march their team towards glory.

4. The OG Home-Away Format –

After a gap of years, the IPL is back to its original Home-Away format and fans are about to witness their favourite teams take field on their home turf in front of the home crowd.

5. Ben Stokes joining forces with MSD and Jaddu –

The arrival of Ben Stokes at Chennai Super Kings joining forces with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja has been making headlines since the auctions and not on CSK fans, but cricketing fans around the globe are eager to witness the troika take field together.

6. Sam Curran’s arrival at the Lion’s Den –

Sam Curran is back at the Punjab Kings for a record-breaking 18.5 crores and is expected to join forces with Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh. The pace-bowling troika is something that has been exciting the cricketing fraternity lately and is one of the sights to witness.

7. Kane Williamson joining Hardik Pandya and Ashish Nehra at GT –

Kane Williamson’s arrival at GT with Hardik Pandya and Ashish Nehra is something to watch out for because of the contrasting nature of the three. Captain Hardik and Coach Nehra have similar approaches and mindsets as seen in the previous season, but Williamson brings in a new dimension all together and is something exciting to watch out for.

8. Cameron Green replacing Pollard at MI –

Cameron Green was brought in by the Mumbai Indians at the last auctions and is considered as the successor of Kieron Pollard who had retired ahead of the auctions. Will Green be able to fill the huge boots of Kieron Pollard? Only time will tell.

9. Harry Brook – That’s it, that’s the attraction –

A name which has been doing lots of rounds lately around the cricketing globe for his power hitting ability and high strike rate, Harry Brook has joined the Sunrisers and his power hitting ability in the middle and slog overs is something which everyone is eagerly waiting to watch.

10. IPL or the World Cup dress rehearsal?

The 2023 ODI World Cup is set to take place in India and the IPL serves as a ground practice for the overseas stars ahead of the marquee event. Considering the same, it will be interesting to witness how the stars perform on the same battlefield where a mightier battle is set to take place in coming months.