Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians, the four teams in the playoffs, all have had a player aged 24 or below turbocharging their campaign.

For this XI, we have also adhered to IPL’s four-overseas-cricketers rule.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)

625 runs @ 48.08, SR: 163.61

Jaiswal enjoyed a breakthrough IPL campaign in 2023, often carrying an inconsistent RR batting unit. He scored his maiden IPL ton this season and produced the fastest ever fifty in IPL history, enhancing his already burgeoning reputation.

Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)

680 runs @ 56.67, SR: 152.46

Among the standout batters in IPL 2023, Gill sits second in the run-scoring charts at the time of writing. He has shed the conservatism that was a feature of his batting in his initial years in the competition, striking at over 150 this season. In 2023, Gill also became one of only four batters to reel off successive centuries in the IPL. A no-brainer to have him in this XI.

Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab Kings)

358 runs @ 25.57, SR: 150.42

Only 22, Prabhsimran was not as consistent as Gill or Jaiswal. However, he was a sight to behold when on song. He made a breezy fifty against the Rajasthan Royals, produced a stunning hundred on a difficult Delhi track to knock the hosts out of the playoffs race. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians) (wk)

439 runs @ 31.36, SR: 143.46

Kishan has opened the batting for MI this season, but has prior experience of playing in the middle order. He can take apart pace and spin, and has grown in importance as the campaign has progressed. This is already his second-best IPL season tally in terms of run-scoring. He will also keep wicket for this side.

Cam Green (Mumbai Indians)

381 runs @ 54.43, SR: 159.41; 6 wickets at 51.83, ER: 9.72

Green arrived with the pressure of a massive price tag, and lived up to those expectations. His best innings this season was a hundred against Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure MI’s qualification, but he also mustered a couple of fifties, struck at almost 160, and was also used with the new ball on occasions.

N Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians)

274 runs @ 45.67, SR: 158.38

Tilak set the IPL alight with an astonishing unbeaten 84 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in MI’s opening fixture, and continued his fine form, playing important cameos lower down the order in subsequent games. An injury has kept him out of action since May 3, when he helped MI hunt down a 200-plus score in Mohali. He can chip in with an over or two of off-spin as well, if required.

Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans) (c)

24 wickets @ 18.75, ER: 7.82; 95 runs @ 47.5, SR: 237.5

With 277.5 points, Rashid is third on the IPL 2023 MVP list, and the first among bowlers. Still only 24, he walks into this XI. Having led the Gujarat Titans in Hardik Pandya’s absence, he will led this XI as well. This is already his most productive season, in terms of wickets and runs scored. With at least two games left to play, those numbers are likely to go further north.

Noor Ahmad (Gujarat Titans)

13 wickets @ 22.15, ER: 7.96

Like Rashid, Noor has been superb for Gujarat, frequently keeping the batters guessing with his variations. He has handled the pressure of the big occasion well for an 18-year-old. With left-arm wrist-spin being a rare commodity, Noor adds variety to this XI, and will help dominate the middle overs alongside Rashid.

Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings)

15 wickets @ 19.33, ER: 7.56

Pathirana has been a revelation this season, enabling CSK to fill the massive void left after Dwayne Bravo’s retirement. He has been the standout bowler at the death in IPL 2023, picking up 14 wickets and going at 7.85 runs per over. A nailed-on selection for this XI.

Yash Thakur (Lucknow Super Giants)

10 wickets @ 25.5, ER: 9.16

Yash’s raw numbers might not seem very inspiring, but the 24-year-old Vidarbha lad has bowled some few tough overs. He allowed Lucknow to close out a one-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders to confirm a playoffs berth, and was also pivotal when Lucknow beat Mumbai at home in their penultimate fixture. An excellent death bowler, there is plenty more to come from the youngster.

Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)

17 wickets @ 29, ER: 9.69

Arshdeep was slightly more expensive in IPL 2023 than he would have liked. That said, he finished with 17 wickets – the most for Punjab – including a sensational last-over display against Mumbai in Wankhede. He will take the new ball in this XI, alongside Green.