IPL 2020: Studying the team dynamics and chances of success for the sides
2020 has been an eventful year if you are a fan of staying locked in and away from the buzz of crowded cities and places. However, the silver lining for every sports fan has been the resumption of sports, particularly cricket and football after a long hiatus after Covid-19 saw a major halt being enforced on sports worldwide.
For cricket fans, however, the biggest development has been that of the IPL being conducted, though it remains unknown if it will be conducted behind closed doors or with spectators in play. The very fact that the IPL will be played for a near 2-month period is a massive piece of news for any cricket fan. It won’t be the traditional, same-old tournament played across India but will be played in the UAE this time around.
While it was the only choice available, it makes this season’s marquee tournament even more interesting since it changes the complexion of a variety of factors. The main thing to be noted is that the conditions in UAE will force the team management of each team involved to think in a different way than what they usually would on their home turf, in India. In other words, team dynamics will need to be tinkered with and one will see their favourite team sporting a combination that is different than their usual one. Let us have a look at how the change in conditions might impact each team.
Also Read: IPL 2020: 3 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players who can win the Orange Cap in UAE | Most Runs
Expected Conditions – The tracks for this year’s IPL will be freshly laid and could well be drop-ins. The pitches would be flat early in the tournament but will get considerably slower and worn out as a result of heavy usage and a greater number of matches being played on the same surface. This will affect the team compositions and selection strategies.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
A team that is lauded for their effort with the ball, has got a revamped batting line-up for this season with some great additions to the squad. Mind you, they have a very good blend of young players who can carry this team in the future. The likes of Priyam Garg and Virat Singh justify that.
Their batting line-up looks a bit weak when it comes to the middle-order but the top-4 are dangerous players and can single-handedly topple any opposition on their day. They will need to rely on their Indian middle-order to do the job for them if things go haywire. The bowling line-up looks sorted as usual with the same attacking combination of bowlers to continue their fine run of form for the franchise.
How does playing in UAE affect the dynamics?
Two notable inclusions to their line-up this season has been that of Mitchell Marsh and Fabian Allen. While the former is unlikely to get enough number of chances, Allen will have a decent role to play in the later stages of the tournament while Marsh will miss the opening week of the league due to the limited-overs series between England and Australia.
Mohammad Nabi could have a huge role to play and it will be a fight between Allen and the Afghan veteran for a place in the squad, but Nabi is expected to pip the West Indian. Sunrisers Hyderabad have also got an additional spinner in Shahbaz Nadeem and he could be played alongside Rashid Khan in case they want Williamson to stabilise the middle-order.
While they look prepared with the ball, their batting line-up is not known for their ability to play spin well. Williamson, by far is the best player of spin bowling in the squad and which is why Williamson’s place in the squad in the later stages of the tournament could be crucial. Can SRH complement their consistency with a title win?
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB is yet to win an IPL trophy and another promising season awaits them in 2020. Perhaps, they could be benefitted a lot more from the change in scenery as compared to the other teams and this is just because they possess a plethora of spinning allrounders which would just play right into their advantage. These are quality international spinning allrounders who are also known with their exploits with the bat. Moeen Ali, Washington Sundar and Pawan Negi are the all-rounders to be highlighted.
How does playing in UAE affect the team dynamics?
Yuzvendra Chahal will have a major role to play in the entire competition and will be Kohli’s go-to-bowler in crunch situations. He is a guaranteed starter in the XI while Ali could be seen occupying one of the overseas spots alongside AB de Villiers.
Washington Sundar has been good with the new ball for RCB in recent times and can be used as a floater for some pinch-hitting. The youngster is expected to remain in the good books of Kohli. However, the management will have a tough choice to make with Pawan Negi as he hasn’t fared well for the team in the past couple of seasons and this is going to be a make-or-break season for him.
This team combination will be in contrast with the one they would usually select while playing at the Chinnaswamy. While a squad along the similar lines can be expected early in the tournament, it is bound to change. Chris Morris is a regular shuffler and Dale Steyn will start in the XI unless he is injured, of course. RCB is one of the few teams who can make do with only 3 overseas players in their XI in the ending stages of the tournament. They are likely to be unfazed with this change as their batting line-up plays spin very well. The season is theirs to throw away. Can RCB manage to finally do justice to their fans?
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals have got a tough season up ahead and will have to take their game to the next level if they are to win the title. Their auction buys included building a young-winning team but that also included compromising on certain aspects; notably, experience in the spin department.
How does playing in UAE affect their dynamics?
Batting shouldn’t be an issue for the Rajasthan-based franchise as they have good players of spin, but they would prefer chasing owing to the lack of a stable bowling line-up. Jaydev Unadkat has been all-over the park since his magical season back in 2017 and this will be a make-or-break season for him which will decide his future in the league. In the spin department, apart from Shreyas Gopal, there isn’t an established spinner. The management could consider playing Mayank Markande, but the youngster does not have enough experience with him. Varun Aaron, and Ankit Rajpoot because of their high economy could be seen in a constant shuffle with either of Markande or Rahul Tewatia getting a look-in.
Also Read: 5 Rajasthan Royals (RR) Players to watch out for in IPL 2020
However, the fact to be noticed is that the team is filled with bowlers who are known to bowl good cutters, especially Unadkat. This is precisely why Unadkat will need to take charge of the bowling attack. Nonetheless, the team would prefer chasing as defending would put a considerable amount of pressure on their bowling line-up. Can Rajasthan emulate their 2008 heroics?
Mumbai Indians
The defending champions have got all the resources they need for another successful season and will have to be playing from the point that they left off. Though their run in the UAE is not something to be proud of – when the league was held for a few weeks in the country in 2014, one can count on MI to turn things around; they always do.
How does this change affect their dynamics?
Mumbai Indians are one of the few teams who haven’t got much to worry about as their usual line-up could very well win games for them. Their spin attack will consist of Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar who were good for them in the last year’s edition. While some pundits might argue that their spin attack is rather one of the weaker attacks in the tournament, their overly strong pace attack consisting of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah will manage to compensate for their spinners’ shortcomings.
The Mumbai-based franchise need not break their heads over team combinations as they have a settled team for the UAE challenge. Can MI add on to their growing list of trophy count in IPL 2020?
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR, like MI, have a team in their ranks that is suited to the conditions in the UAE. They have a team that is suited to win the title in UAE where conditions are basically a mix of that found at Eden Gardens and the Chepauk stadium.
How does this change affect their dynamics?
KKR need not tinker much with their team dynamics as their preferred combination looks suited enough to flourish in flat as well as turning tracks. Their batting line-up core has always been predominantly Indian, which marks one of their greatest strengths. A good mix of radical and brute hitters makes them strong as it is if not the presence of two potent spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine.
Kuldeep and Narine are guaranteed starters unless injuries peg them back. What’s more interesting is that the fans will get to see more of Varun Chakravarthi who shows a lot of promise. While he hasn’t established himself in the IPL, this could well be his season. Nitish Rana could also chip in with some valuable contributions with the ball and that is certainly a boost for them.
Also Read: Is KKR a shadow of a team without Andre Russell?
Their pace attack, however, lacks enough depth but will prove to be one of the most lethal attacks in the future. This will mean that they will have to rely more on their spinners more in UAE than they usually would have at the Eden Gardens. They have got quality all-rounders in their squad but will prefer to stick to a stable combination rather than changing it every now and then. Rinku Singh is a back-up for Rana in the squad and can prove to be a trump card. Having said that, KKR has a lot of Indian players they would like to test out as and when they are sure of a playoff spot.
Can KKR end their trophy drought of 5 seasons in IPL 2020?
Kings XI Punjab
Like RCB, Punjab have always given indications that they are in it to win it but always manage to fall short of the ultimate prize. This promises to be an exciting season for them since the change in venue could play into their advantage as well. They have got one of the better spin attacks in the competition with Murugan Ashwin Krishnappa Gowtham, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ravi Bishnoi but the departure of Ravichandran Ashwin makes them slightly weak on the experience front.
How does this change affect their dynamics?
Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman will be their key player heading into the competition and he will be accompanied by Krishnappa Gowtham. We could also see the likes of Jagadesha Suchith playing a part in their journey in the upcoming season. Suchith hasn’t featured much in the IPL ever since his stint with CSK a few years back. He is a decent spinner with a considerable economy. He has the potential to be the X-factor in IPL 2020.
Murugan Ashwin, though expensive, can come in handy in crunch situations, especially when KXIP have got a big total to defend and are in search of wickets. Their bowling attack is predominantly that of Indians, but it will be their batting that will concern them. The top three will be the key for them as usual with the major onus on Chris Gayle and KL Rahul. They could also consider bringing in Nicholas Poooran. Glenn Maxwell could have a mighty role, given his run in the UAE in the 2014 edition of the IPL. The all-rounder was one of the main reasons why KXIP made it till the finals, only to lose to KKR in the end. KXIP sure do have enough options in their saddle but will have to think wisely before launching them or a combination. Can KXIP loge their maiden title win this time around?
Delhi Daredevils
The arrival of Ashwin couldn’t have come at a better time for the Delhi-based franchise as the squad has always been dubbed as one lacking enough experience in the bowling front. They also have Amit Mishra who is a valuable leg spinner as any and a lethal batting combination to go with.
How does playing in UAE affect their dynamics?
The ball is in their court for the taking. They could choose to play Shimron Hetmyer for a major part of the competition as he is a good player of spin. Keemo Paul could come in due to his slower deliveries which will be beneficial if they are bowling second.
Sandeep Lamichhane, however, should be their first-choice leg-spinner as he touted to be an upcoming prospect. His quick-arm action makes him a tough to read, just like Rashid Khan and which is why he is a bonus for any team. Delhi Capitals should look to groom him and make him an integral part of their set-up in the future. Axar Patel is a handy all-rounder and he is a near-guaranteed starter. He will have a huge role to play and most of it will include complementing the likes of Ashwin and Mishra. He can chip in with a few overs in the middle and can slog out in the end, with the bat which makes him a player to watch out for.
This team is suited for batting first owing to their relative inexperience that comes to the forefront when it comes to chasing.
While DC have a lethal pool of overseas players, this season will see them shift from their preferred combinations at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Chris Woakes could be seen left out for a handful number of games while the onus of the pace department would fall on Kagiso Rabada’s shoulders. Marcus Stoinis and Woakes will be in a constant tussle over the overseas all-rounder’s spot with Woakes predicted to come out on top owing to his exploits with the new ball. Could this year finally be the year when Delhi claim the ultimate prize?
Chennai Super Kings
CSK stands out as the team most benefitted from the venue shift. The conditions are near about like what they have at the Chepauk stadium (and we all know how they fare at the Chidambaram stadium) and more importantly, it suits their playing style and MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Dhoni has been more successful with spinners than he has been with the pacers and it should make it clear that all this just falls into his gloves.
They have got a winning squad, like always and CSK starts out as strong favourites to win the title this time around. They fell short by a whisker last time around and will look to not repeat it this year.
How does this change affect their dynamics?
The squad has enough quality to win games with their preferred combination. The spin department will be handled well by Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh. They could also choose to play Mitchell Santner and one should never count Imran Tahir out. The last season’s Purple Cap winner will be hungry for wickets as he would like to show the South African selectors back at home that he has got what it takes to go on till the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, despite his age.
Karn Sharma is another asset for them and it just shows the number of options that are available for the 4-time champions. They also acquired Piyush Chawla in this edition’s auction and he could be seen shuffling with Harbhajan Singh.
CSK need not make too many changes to their line-up but will need to rely heavily on their spinners to do the trick for them as their pace department does not have enough depth. The economy rates are not good enough to stem the run flow towards the fag end of an innings and they will need Lungi Ngidi to carry the attack. The pace department has always been an issue for them in the past and is set to accompany them into the 13th edition of the IPL. Can CSK ‘spin’ their way to another title?
Also Read: IPL 2020: Travelling schedule of IPL franchises to UAE announced