After a lot of hullabaloo, the Indian Premier League’s 13th edition is set to take off in United Arab Emirates on September 19. The longest version of the tournament (when playing with eight teams), IPL 2020 promises much with new players, different conditions and the pandemic posing various challenges for the franchises. Here, we look into which four franchises are best placed to thrive in UAE and make the play-offs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Before you run out of this article, let’s rush by the facts. Royal Challengers Bangalore have two of the most adaptable batsmen in the competition in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Sure, they have had them for a while and still finished bottom of the pool. But unlike before, they have made a few excellent additions to the squad in Aaron Finch, Chris Morris and Dale Steyn. Devdutt Padikkal is peaking as well and there’s more promise in the back-up overseas players. The adaptable players in the squad make RCB dark horses this time around.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals have a young brigade they have built over the last couple of years. The quality of the Indian players in the squad make Delhi Capitals one of the most dangerous sides in the competition. In Ravichandran Ashwin, DC made another solid signing before the auction last year. They also acquired key foreign players in Jason Roy, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer and Alex Carey. The issue with DC is the overload of top-order batsmen in the side. Their fortunes could depend on how these players are managed and if they pick the right top 4 at least 90% of the time.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
A quality line-up in any condition, the brilliant bowling attack makes Sunrisers Hyderabad one of the favourites yet again this year. David Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Kane Williamson are backed by some solid, young middle-order signings in the auction. The bowling is well rounded and should be a handful in any condition. Expect Sunrisers to yet again test the best teams in the competition. Their key could be identifying the right fourth overseas picks.
Kolkata Knight Riders
On paper, Kolkata Knight Riders have a dream T20 batting line-up. Shubman Gill and Tom Banton form the young batting duo while Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik form the best T20 middle-order in the tournament. They made a massive splurge in the auction for Pat Cummins but the Aussie pace bowler isn’t a typical T20 bowler. Bowling, barring Sunil Narine, is their weak point, but again in Harry Gurney and Lockie Ferguson they have global T20 stars who haven’t quite clicked in India. Things could change as the action shifts to UAE.