Ricky Ponting, the former captain of the Australian cricket team and current head coach of Delhi Capitals, has revealed his choice for the team that could potentially win the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, besides his own team, Delhi Capitals.
During an episode of The ICC Review show, Ponting was asked to name the team that he thinks will come out on top in the tournament. He selected Rajasthan Royals, stating that the team has a strong squad and the potential to emerge victorious in the competition. Rajasthan Royals were the winners of the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
On The ICC Review show, Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and current head coach of Delhi Capitals, was asked to name his favourite team besides his own, which he thinks could win IPL 2023. Ponting chose the Rajasthan Royals, saying that the inaugural champions have a good squad.
He further added that Gujarat Titans were impressive last year, as they won the tournament as a brand new team, and Rajasthan Royals, the other finalist last year, have only built on their good squad from the previous year. Ponting believes that Rajasthan Royals will be a contender in this year’s tournament.
“Obviously Gujarat (Titans) last year were amazing, a brand new team and were able to win the tournament. The other finalist last year, Rajasthan Royals, I think have got a really, really good squad,” said the former Australia captain. “They’ve only built on that again this year. I think Rajasthan will be there, thereabouts,” he further said.
Rajasthan Royals had a successful IPL 2022 as they reached the final of the competition alongside Gujarat Titans. However, the Sanju Samson-led team failed to put on a good performance in the summit finale, losing the cup to the newly-launched franchise at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat.
While Jos Buttler finished as the highest run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals, the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets was won by Yuzvendra Chahal, also a Rajasthan Royals player.
This year, the Rajasthan Royals have once again got off to a good start. They won their opening match of the tournament vs Sunrisers Hyderabad but went on to lose their 2nd match against Punjab Kings in a close call thriller match.
This year, it will be interesting to see if the Rajasthan Royals team can replicate their performance from last year’s IPL.