The 2023 IPL has so far been everything we hoped it to be and more. With a number of scintillating innings that have proven crucial as to a match result, we highlight our top five individual innings of IPL 2023.
RINKU SINGH (48*) – GUJARAT TITANS VS KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS – MATCH 13 - 09/04/2023
There’s only one place to start and that has to be with the Kolkata Knight Riders lower order hitter, who pulled off the most incredible heist for his team in a knock that will be remembered forever in IPL history. With the game seemingly beyond KKR, needing 28 runs from the final five balls to win, Rinku Singh proceeded to hit a disbelieving Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes, thus single-handedly win the game for his side in extraordinary fashion.
AJINKYA RAHANE (61) – MUMBAI INDIANS VS CHENNAI SUPER KINGS – MATCH 12 - 08/04/2023
It’s incredibly fitting when taking into account all the ‘T20 stars’ on show for the ‘El Classico’ of IPL cricket, that it was an India batter more commonly known for his red ball exploits that stole the show at the Wankhede Stadium. Playing only due to an injury to big-money signing Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane came to the crease with Chennai Super Kings 0/1 needing 158 to beat Mumbai Indians. The 34-year-old then proceeded to take the game away from Rohit Sharma’s side, blasting 61 from 27 balls including 7 fours and 3 sixes, laying the foundations for a CSK victory. A superb knock in the biggest fixture of the group stage.
NICHOLAS POORAN (62) – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE VS LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS – MATCH 15 - 10/04/2023
To play the key innings that leads your team to victory against RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is always going to be an impressive feat. Nicholas Pooran however, took it to the next level for Lucknow Super Giants. Coming to the crease with his side needing 99/4, needing 113 more to win from 9.2 overs, the West Indian wicketkeeper-batters displayed a remarkable range of power hitting from ball one, striking a destructive 62 from just 19 balls with 7 sixes, his 50 having been reached after only 15 deliveries. It was the joint-third-fastest half-century in IPL history and played a big part in LSG reaching their 213-run target, the fourth-highest successful run chase since the IPL’s formation.
HARRY BROOK (100*) – KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS VS SUNRISERS HYDERABAD – MATCH 19 - 14/04/2023
After failing to make significant scores in any of his first three innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad, questions were already starting to be asked about Harry Brook by Indian cricket fans. Could he do it in the IPL? Has he been found out? Well, he answered the former question resoundingly against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. After being asked to open the batting, Brook responded emphatically, proving why SRH spent so much money on him at the auction. Playing sensibly against spin, the Yorkshire and England star took the quicker bowlers to the cleaners, becoming the first batter to reach three-figures in the 2023 IPL. His 100 came off 55 balls with 12 fours & 3 sixes and helped SRH to what was ultimately a winning score of 228/4.
SHIMRON HETMYER (56*) – GUJARAT TITANS VS RAJASTHAN ROYALS – MATCH 23 - 16/04/2023
Some will wonder why we have not included Venkatesh Iyer’s 104 for KKR against Mumbai Indians as our fifth choice in this article? Well as good as that innings was, it did not come as part of a winning effort. However, it was a different story for Rajasthan’s Shimron Hetmyer in a crucial top of the table clash between the Royals and reigning champions Gujarat Titans. The West Indian came to the crease at number six with his side 55/4 chasing 179 and in trouble. Hetmyer though, did what any world class finisher does. He ensured he was there at the end to take Rajasthan Royals home with a superb unbeaten 56. This innings came in just 26 balls, taking the fight back to Gujarat with 2 fours and 5 sixes. It was a victory of such importance, that Hetmyer’s contribution with the bat simply must be acknowledged.
