IPL 2023 predictions and suggested bets: Likely winners, top bowler, top batsman and wooden spoon
- Planet Sport writer
- 30 March 2023
The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League will start on Friday, March 31. The tournament is in its 16th season, as 10 teams chase the coveted title. Check out our suggested bets.
The Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in the history of the IPL with five titles. The Chennai Super Kings have four and the Kolkata Knight Riders two.
The Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings remain in pursuit of a maiden title.
The Gujarat Titans are the reigning champions on the back of a prolific maiden season. They will want to soon separate their legacy from the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, who also have one IPL title each.
Likely winners
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached three IPL finals, but never won. There is a solid balance to their squad this season, with the inclusion of England all-rounder David Willey and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood.
South African batsman Faf du Plessis took well to the Bangalore captaincy last season and can have another stab at the title this time. Virat Kohli will be by his side - and the Indian talisman looks primed for a big tournament with the bat.
Top bowler
Last season, two leg-spinners in Yuzvendra Chahal and Wanindu Hasaranga topped the wicket-taking charts. This season, a wrist-spinner will likely do the same. Rashid Khan looks a good pick for top bowler of the tournament.
He has been playing plenty of T20 cricket in domestic leagues around the world through the end of 2022 and opening three months of 2023. With the home-away format returning to the IPL, he will be able to exploit more conducive conditions, too.
The Gujarat Titans have an excellent acquisition in the Afghanistan all-rounder, who could be a solid choice for Player of the Tournament as well.
Top batsman
Australia's David Warner's Test career is likely nearing its closing throes, but he remains formidable in limited-overs competition, particularly in the T20 format - and especially at domestic level.
He has been appointed captain of the Delhi Capitals, where he will work alongside fellow Australian, mentor and head coach Ricky Ponting.
The additional responsibility of the captaincy and empowerment from Ponting could yield big success for Warner.
He has topped the run-scoring records in previous IPL seasons and, this time, looks set for more.
Wooden spoon
The Mumbai Indians have five IPL titles, but the last of those came in 2020. They've finished mid-table and last since - and are not looking as confident this season as they have in the past.
Mumbai will be without fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the entire tournament due to injury.
Their local batting resources are arguably thin, despite the presence of Rohit Sharma. The addition of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is promising, but he'll need to get a handle on conditions and the team culture quickly to have a genuine impact.
Suggested bets
Outright tournament winner: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Top tournament wicket-taker: Rashid Khan
Top tournament run-scorer: David Warner
Last in the standings: Mumbai Indians
