S Sreesanth, the former Indian pacer, picked his best XI from the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). Only one overseas player made it to the team. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the IPL 2023 title, defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in the final held in Ahmedabad on May 29.
Indian players dominated the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts in the tournament. Shubman Gill received the Orange Cap for the highest run-scorer, while Mohammad Shami claimed the Purple Cap for the leading wicket-taker.
In an interview, Sreesanth selected his team for the tournament. He named MS Dhoni as the captain and chose Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as the opening pair. Virat Kohli was picked for the crucial No. 3 position, and Ajinkya Rahane secured a spot at No. 4 based on his impressive performance.
For the finisher’s role at No. 6, Sreesanth suggested either Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh. He praised Suryakumar Yadav and included him as No. 5. Sreesanth’s team also featured Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the wicketkeeper.
Sreesanth’s bowling attack for his chosen XI consisted of a well-rounded combination, comprising two pacers and two leg-spinners. He specifically mentioned that his bowling unit would closely resemble the GT bowling lineup, featuring Mohammad Shami, Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal from the Rajasthan Royals, and another bowler, Mohammed Siraj.
Sreesanth presented a unique viewpoint on the matter of prioritizing domestic talent versus high-profile players, considering CSK and GT’s accomplishments in the IPL 2023. He emphasized that while domestic players hold importance, it is essential for them to acquire valuable experience through exposure to international players.
Sreesanth’s best IPL 2023 XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube/Rinku Singh, MS Dhoni (c), Mohammad Shami, Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj