IPL 2023 preview: big spenders, injuries, players to watch and the Impact Player rule

The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to get underway tomorrow, on the 31st March 2023, with defending champions Gujarat Titans hosting four-time winners Chennai Super Kings. IPL 2023 will feature a couple of tweaks to the rules and playing conditions, along with lots of fresh talent and dynamic match action. 

What is the Impact Player rule introduced for IPL 2023?

One of the new team-based factors introduced for IPL 2023 is the Impact Player rule. Similar advancements have been trialled in tournaments such as the Big Bash League and India's domestic t20 competition the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The Impact Player rule is centred around teams being able to replace one player from the first innings with another in the second innings. For instance, if a side bats first then they will likely field an additional batter with a view to replacing him with a bowler for the second innings when they are defending a total. 

Conversely, if a team bowls first then the chances are they will select an extra bowler and swap him out for a batter ahead of the second innings chase. One stipulation behind it is that it must be Indian player swapped for another Indian player, unless a side has started with three out of the four available overseas offerings. There are a few sides that could benefit hugely from this new rule, allowing them to use additional domestic talent in both facets of the match. It could also lead to more teams naming teams with fewer overseas players from the start, allowing them to switch in another later on.

While some players could benefit hugely from the introduction of the Impact Player rule, some may not be so fortunate. In particular, some all-rounders could be seen as a lesser option as a result, despite their traditionally sought-after profile. For example, a player like Delhi Capitals' Lalit Yadav could be one affected. While he has been effectively used as a floating option within the batting lineup while providing some useful off-spin with the ball, he is arguably not a specialist in either and so Delhi's strong depth in the batting and bowling departments could negate his previously effective usage. 

Useful all-rounders such as Delhi Capitals' Lalit Yadav could be less effective with the introduction of the Impact Player rule in IPL 2023 [CREDIT: IPLT20]

Another tweak made for this year's Indian Premier League is the introduction of the possibility for teams to name their XI after the toss. This change has been introduced to help reduce the importance of the toss, with sides able to adjust their XI for the conditions and react to whether they are batting or bowling first; it is particularly prevalent for venues that will generate dew towards the latter half of the match.

Eight players to watch in IPL 2023

Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings)

The return to full fitness for Super Kings' Chahar is a very welcome boost for a side who struggled in 2022. The India international's potency in the powerplay will add a different dimension to the CSK attack. Chahar can also provide some strong late hitting down the order which will always be useful, despite Chennai's traditionally deep batting lineup.

Sarfaraz Khan (Delhi Capitals)

2023 could well be the year that the hugely-talented Sarfaraz finally truly breaks through in the IPL. The 25-year-old has been playing in the competition since he was a teenager but, despite strong domestic showings, has never been able to make a strong enough case to become a regular in any of the franchises he has represented. This year, though, after some more strong domestic form and the devastating injury to captain Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz could be called upon to fulfil his skipper's role as aggressive 'keeper-batsman.

The talented Sarfaraz Khan may finally have an opportunity to truly show his ability, with the 25-year-old likely to be the stand-in for Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant [CREDIT: IPLT20]

Kane Williamson (Gujarat Titans)

The New Zealand legend had a shocking time in last year's IPL as he was unable to pick up any sort of form. In what was a strong summation of his struggles, the multi-format star's strike rate in 13 innings did not manage to rise above 100. Such a strike rate in such a run of games is almost unheard of for a player of Williamson's experience and quality. As a result, he was released from the Sunrisers squad, despite being captain. He has been picked up by defending champions Gujarat Titans and could fill the number three spot that Matthew Wade struggled in last year.

Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The uncapped Rinku burst onto the IPL scene last year with a series of impressive innings with the bat and performances in the field. That will likely have been enough to keep his place in the Kolkata Knight Riders side for the start of IPL 2023, particularly with captain Shreyas Iyer out initially through injury. The 25-year-old scored 174 runs in seven innings in 2022 at a strike rate of 148.7, including a couple of very useful contributions and he will look to continue that momentum this season.

Mark Wood (Lucknow Super Giants)

The England speedster has played just one game in the IPL, going wicketless and conceding 49 runs in his four overs in his sole outing for Chennai Super Kings. He missed out last season after being signed by Lucknow Super Giants but is all set to get his teeth into opposing batters in 2023. He will arguably be a slight upgrade on last year's main overseas pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera and it will be interesting to see how he goes with a sustained run of games.

Jofra Archer (Mumbai Indians)

Another member of England's fearsome pace attack, Archer will finally turn out for Mumbai Indians this season. He, like Wood, was unavailable last year through injury after he was purchased with a view to pairing him with India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. In a cruel twist of fate, Bumrah will miss IPL 2023 through injury. Archer has made a successful return after his injury problems, turning out for MI Cape Town in the SA20 and for England in their recent tour of Bangladesh.

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Raj Bawa (Punjab Kings)

A prodigious young talent, Bawa has not managed to stake a claim for a sustained run of games in the IPL so far in his burgeoning career. Following the departure of last year's captain Mayank Agarwal and the general set-up of the squad, 2023 could be the year for the left-hander. He has good pedigree in domestic cricket and has batted throughout the order for Chandigarh. The 20-year-old actually made his t20 debut for Punjab in last year's tournament, but was trapped lbw by Mohammad Siraj first ball. He has only played five further t20 matches since then but is certainly a talent to watch.

Kuldeep Sen (Rajasthan Royals)

With the injury to Prasidh Krishna, Sen's route into the Royals team has become easier. That is not to say that he would not have got in on merit anyway, though. In IPL 2022, the pacer picked up eight wickets in his seven outings and the 26-year-old has since made his ODI debut for India towards the end of last year in Bangladesh. While he will face competition from the likes of Navdeep Saini, Prasidh's absence can help him stake a further claim for international honours.

Six key squad additions for IPL 2023

Narayan Jagadeesan (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Now well-known for his incredible 50-over exploits for Tamil Nadu in the 2022 Indian domestic season, Jagadeesan will likely get his chance in the IPL with KKR this year. The 27-year-old struck a record-breaking 277 during a run of five consecutive List A hundreds towards the end of last year. His exploits came shortly after he was released by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the 2023 auction, with Knight Riders all too happy to bring him to Eden Gardens. Like Rinku, Shreyas' initial absence should help him claim a starting berth.

Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians)

A known quantity at international level in Tests and ODIs, it wasn't really until a run in the Australia T20I side shortly before the t20 World Cup that Green's presence in the shortest format was truly announced. He produced some blistering innings at the top of the order and was immediately a wanted man at the auction. It was Mumbai Indians who duly shelled out for his services, adding him to a group of young and precociously-talented young players. 

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Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) 

The England all-rounder has already had stellar experiences in the IPL, but he missed out last season due to injury. His performances at the t20 World Cup led to him being named player of the tournament and, like Green, he was hot property at the auction. Indeed, Curran commanded the highest fee in IPL auction history as Punjab Kings secured his services in what looks to be a potentially pivotal signing for them within the context of their squad requirements.

Jason Holder (Rajasthan Royals) 

Talking of squad requirements, Rajasthan Royals were crying out for an all-rounder last season and they duly went and purchased one of the leading talents to fit that profile. Holder has been excellent with bat and ball in all formats for a while and adds a new dimension to the Royals' already excellent squad.

Harry Brook (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

One of the biggest international breakthroughs in recent memory, Brook has made a huge name for himself in the last 12 months. After a storming season in the 2022 Pakistan Super League, the 24-year-old broke through into the England team and was part of the t20 World Cup-winning team, though he has made most of his noise with his swashbuckling performances in England's Test team. His debut IPL season is set to be another landmark that the Yorkshireman is no doubt set to try and conquer head-on.

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Mayank Agarwal (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Another notable signing from Sunrisers Hyderabad, Agarwal was not retained by Punjab Kings after poor form in the 2022 season, despite leading the side. He is, though, a brilliant batter and his quality will no doubt come to the fore in what looks to be an exciting Sunrisers lineup. 

Who are the notable IPL 2023 absentees?

As is often the case with any franchise t20 tournament, there are a number of high-profile absentees for IPL 2023. The headline absentees are Pant and Bumrah. Prasidh is another big domestic blow, while England's Jonny Bairstow is also missing, along with his international teammate Will Jacks. Royal Challengers Bangalore have been particularly unfortunate with injuries, with Jacks being ruled out for the tournament and Rajat Patidar set to miss the first half of the season and Josh Hazlewood recently being ruled out for the initial part of the competition.

Shreyas will be a big miss for the first half of the season, while Mohsin Khan will be unable to build on his breakout season as he is set to miss the majority of the tournament. Fellow left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary will be hard to replace for CSK, while Mumbai's fast bowling woes continued with the news that Jhye Richardson would be joining Bumrah in missing the entirety of the season.