IPL 2023: Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee - Four New Zealand players to watch out for in IPL season 16

IPL 2023 is set to start within a week. The ten teams will battle it out for the glory as the two-month-long extravaganza starts with a blockbuster clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings.

In this edition of IPL, there will be some top names from New Zealand who will take part. The Blackcaps players have donned the IPL for many franchises over the years, and there are some key Kiwi names across all the teams this year as well.

New Zealand players have always been a key part of IPL. The tournament's blockbuster inception was courtesy of a Kiwi named Brendon McCullum, whose 158 runs in the first-ever IPL match is in the folklore of cricket's greatest innings.

Like other years, there will be some big Kiwi names this year as well. Here are the four players to watch out for in the IPL this year-

Kane Williamson (Gujarat Titans)

Kane Williamson was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad before the auction. The Kiwi batter didn't have the best of IPL last year and was released. In the auction, Gujarat Titans bought him at his base price. Williamson can be a superb addition for the champions as he provides much solidity to the batting.

The Kiwi batter also has something to proof on his own and will be aiming for a redemption with the bat this time around, with his new team.

Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Lockie Ferguson was part of the Gujarat Titans setup last year. But in the trading window, he made a return to KKR as the Knights traded him in for a whopping INR 10 crore. The pacestar will be a key part of their bowling unit and will have to fair much better than his 2022 numbers.

It is to be seen whether Ferguson's huge deal pays off for Kolkata, as the Kiwi bowler has been hot and cold so far in the IPL. But having said that, there will be definite eyes on him as KKR prepare for the season.

Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings)

Devon Conway was signed by Chennai Super Kings last year and played seven matches for them. The NZ batter had a decent season to be fair as he scored 252 runs at a strike rate of 145. CSK had a disastrous season but Conway was one of their bright sparks.

As they approach the new season, Conway will be expected to yield a bit more with the bat. The 31-year-old has had a decent outing with his national team and is expected to replicate that form in the IPL. With Chennai's not so prolific lineup at the top, Conway will be a key figure.

Michael Bracewell (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Michael Bracewell has been roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement of Will Jacks.Bracewell will provide a much-needed depth for them with bat and ball. The Kiwi player has a decent T20 career, scoring 2284 runs in 117 matches at a strike rate of 133.

He also is a decent bowler and has 40 wickets in the T20 format. The 32-year-old will take confidence from the recent India tour where he scored a fantastic century (140 off 78 balls) in the first ODI of the series in January.

He also finished the T20I series against India as the highest wicket-taker for the Blackcaps. He was signed by RCB for his base price of INR 1 crore, and there will be eyes on the player. Bracewell can become a fantastic addition for RCB as he provides depth in both departments.