Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Predictions: 5 big predictions for the tournament | Who will win IPL 2020? | 5 predictions for Indian Premier League 2020

After months of planning, speculation and anticipation, the world’s premier T20 league is upon us. Although it will be held in a bubble in the UAE instead of India, where the incredible atmosphere at each and every game can be felt in your living room, this tournament has the makings for a classic one. All eight teams are capable of achieving great things, which makes IPL 2020 arguably the most competitive in quite some time.

So, putting together predictions for such a competitive and highly anticipated tournament is some challenge. Good luck in choosing a winner. It’s the kind of tournament where you need comprehensive predictive cricket analytics to feel confident in making a call. In an unprecedented year, will we see a new champion? Which youngsters will light up the tournament? Will Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians dominate once again?

These questions, as well as many others, will be answered in the coming six weeks. In this article, I will paint a little picture as to how I think the tournament will transpire, namely:

• Orange Cap winner
• Purple Cap winner
• Most improved team
• Four teams to make the playoffs
• Winner

Here goes.

Also read: Key things to keep in mind when betting on IPL

1. Orange Cap winner: KL Rahul

Plenty of attention will be on the talented KL Rahul in IPL 2020. Now skipper of Kings XI Punjab, Rahul has taken his white-ball game to another level for country and franchise over the past two years. In his last two IPL campaigns, Rahul has struck 1,252 runs (avg. 54.34, SR 146.60), finishing in the top three run-scorers twice. This season, he has what it takes to finish top, given he has the chance to play with even more freedom as KXIP have reinforced their middle order.

Other great contenders for Orange Cap: David Warner, Quinton de Kock, Shubman Gill & Virat Kohli.

Also read: Kings XI Punjab analysis – Can KXIP go all the way in IPL 2020?

2. Purple Cap winner: Kagiso Rabada

A tough one to pick, given there is a plethora of quality pace and spin options in IPL 2020. However, Kagiso Rabada comes to mind as a leading contender to win the Purple Cap, particularly as pace bowling will still have a key role to play in the UAE.

Rabada has a massive role to play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020. He is their lead pacer, and will be required to deliver at all stages of an innings, particularly at the death. The superb South African pacer finished second for wickets in 2019, with a remarkable 25 wickets in 12 games. Given his incredible wicket-taking ability, variations, and the fact he will be doing lots of death bowling, Rabada is a strong chance of winning the Purple Cap in 2020.

Other great contenders for Purple Cap: Yuzvendra Chahal, Imran Tahir, Jasprit Bumrah & Rashid Khan.

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a much-improved season

Royal Challengers Bangalore underachieved yet again in 2019, finishing bottom. It was an awful season for the franchise, losing their first six games to all-but-fall out of playoffs contention early in the race.

However, they have made some positive changes this season. Firstly, they have brought in Mike Hesson and Simon Katich – two good cricketing minds. Secondly, they have bought better, purchasing players who can provide value throughout the campaign. The likes of Chris Morris, Aaron Finch and Adam Zampa can complement what looks to be a stronger Indian core, particularly with the very talented Devdutt Padikkal in it. Key questions:

• Can RCB rely less on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers?
• Will they back players for a longer period of time?
• Will they benefit from being away from the high-scoring M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2020?

There is a strong chance that the answer can be yes to all three questions. So, expect RCB to have a much improved season. However, whether that translates to a playoffs appearance remains to be seen.

Watch: I recently caught up with Cricket with Sparsh to discuss RCB’s chances in IPL 2020. Watch here.

4. Final 4

All eight teams are capable of reaching the playoffs in what looks to be a competitive league. So, picking four teams who will make the playoffs is a tough task. After much deliberation, here is my top four for IPL 2020 (no particular order):

Mumbai Indians: 2019 champions MI look incredibly strong once again. A strong top order is complemented by a superb middle order full of power and experience. With a pace attack that is the envy of most teams, along with the talented Rahul Chahar, you would be a brave person to bet against the Rohit Sharma-led franchise making the playoffs.

Chennai Super Kings: CSK have had nothing but challenges thrown their way, but they can never be written off as long as the great MS Dhoni is at the helm. Recently retired from international cricket, MSD has always proven the doubters wrong, getting the best out of his players time and time again. While CSK won’t have the luxury of Chepauk, their battery of spinners, smart seamers and experienced batsmen will still play a key role in the UAE.

Kolkata Knight Riders: A top six to die for. Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana (or Rahul Tripathi), Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell is some lineup. In a tournament where run-scoring may be challenging, particularly towards the backend, KKR have excellent players of spin to counter those middle overs.

However, much does depend on how Kuldeep Yadav and Pat Cummins perform. Along with Narine, they are the big guns of the KKR attack, and can lift others with them. The likes of Cummins and Prasidh Krishna will be key at the death, but they are capable of doing a job when required.

Kings XI Punjab: KXIP had a superb auction. They strengthened their middle order, added a bit of T20 know-how to their bowling attack and look an all-round good side. If KL Rahul fires, it sets the tone for a very dangerous middle order to perform – an area where KXIP have really struggled in recent years.

With the ball, KXIP will be banking on the likes of Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Sheldon Cottrell and Mujeeb ur Rahman throughout the campaign. The ingredients are there, and it could be the year where KXIP finally achieve better than what they have done over the past few years.

It was tough to leave the other four teams out. Royal Challengers Bangalore still have question marks around reliance on overseas players, including Chris Morris at the death. Delhi Capitals look to have an overload of openers, and might rely too much on Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer, two talented but unfinished packages, for big totals. Sunrisers Hyderabad are top-heavy once again, even though the likes of Abdul Samad are talented additions. Rajasthan Royals will fight hard, but a lot will depend on their overseas stars delivering the goods.

5. Winner: Mumbai Indians

Yes, MI struggle in even years. However, given that IPL 2019 feels so long ago, that factor feels almost irrelevant!

On a cricketing note, MI have most bases covered. They often start IPL campaigns slowly and their spin attack is perhaps a little light for the UAE, but their extraordinary pace attack, even without Lasith Malinga, makes up for that. Jasprit Bumrah is capable of producing on any pitch at any stage. Trent Boult is an outstanding addition. Mitchell McClenaghan is a proven IPL performer, and Nathan Coulter-Nile can offer value throughout the campaign. So too James Pattinson.

This is before mentioning the contributions of Hardik and Pollard.

The beauty of MI is that they are a team who can turn to a number of players in crucial situations. Kieron Pollard delivered crucial runs last season, and Bumrah crucial overs. Rohit Sharma, a superb captain and batsman, will be sure to lead from the front, with QdK by his side. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are as underrated as they are talented, and fit well in an excellent top six.

With the talented Rahul Chahar and consistent Krunal Pandya leading the spin ranks, MI possesses a superb attack. Should they wish, they can turn to the services of Jayant Yadav or Anukul Roy throughout the season, who will be buoyed by the quality around them.

There is talk about a potential new champion in 2020. It could very well happen, but MI look good to push ahead with a fifth IPL Title. They have qualities that other franchises dream about, and will be lifting the trophy come November.

So, there are my five predictions for IPL 2020. Are yours different? Have your say.

Thanks for reading!