Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
5 big names that may warm the bench a lot in IPL 2021 | 5 famed overseas names who might not get many games in IPL 2021
Amidst the potential threat of cancellation/postponement due to the rise in the Covid-19 cases, the Indian Premier League is finally going to begin, which is great news for all cricket lovers across the globe.
As we all know, a team can play a maximum of four overseas players in an IPL match. Thus, there is a possibility of some really big overseas names missing out owing to the overseas quota. In this article, I am going to mention five such overseas players who are less likely to get many games in IPL 2021. Here we go.
David Miller (Rajasthan Royals)
A big hitter down the order having a plethora of experience, David Miller is an asset for any side in any format of limited overs cricket. In the IPL, Miller has played 80 games and has scored 1850 runs at a decent average of 33.64 and a healthy strike rate of 138.78.
He was an integral member of the Punjab Kings before being picked by the Rajasthan Royals. But sadly, he played just a single game for the Royals in 2020 and warmed the bench for the rest of the season. He is supposed to do the same this year as well because Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Chris Morris are certain starters for RR and with Jofra Archer being unavailable in the initial phase; they are more likely to go with one guy between Andrew Tye and Mustafizur Rehman as their fourth overseas player.
Another reason is the addition of Shivam Dube provides them the luxury of having Indian finishers in Dube, Riyan Parag and Rahul Tewatia. Therefore, it is very unlikely that they will go with a third overseas batsman compromising with their bowling in the absence of Archer. Things will become more difficult for him when Archer becomes available. Due to these reasons, I don’t think Miller is going to get many games for RR this season.
Imran Tahir (CSK)
Imran Tahir was CSK’s best bowler in the middle overs phase in IPL 2019. But in order to have the batting depth, CSK decided to bench him and go with Indian spinners in most of the games in IPL 2020, and play those overseas players apart from the fast bowlers who could provide the batting option.
The lack of acceleration in the middle overs was a big issue for them last season and therefore they have added Moeen Ali to their squad this time, who is supposed to play the role of an enforcer in the middle overs phase. I don’t think Faf Du plessis will be dropped because he had a very good season last year playing as an opener for them. The place of Sam Curran is almost certain.
Secondly, CSK are going to start their campaign by playing 5 games in Mumbai, where the wicket doesn’t provide much assistance to spinners. Also, they don’t have any games on the spin friendly Chepauk deck. In such a scenario, they are more likely to go with a seamer in Lungi Ngidi or DJ Bravo as their 4th overseas player. Therefore, it is very tough for Imran Tahir to get many games in 2021 as well.
Dawid Malan (Punjab Kings)
If a team gets the number 1 ranked T20I batsman in his base price, then it’s a steal; isn’t it? Among the several valuable additions, Malan was one of the best buys of the Punjab Kings in the mini auction this year.
But, Malan getting a game is going to be very tough due to the overall combination of PBKS. Chris Gayle was fabulous for them in the last season. They did a mistake by not including Gayle in the initial half and suffered the consequences.
They won 5 out of 7 games after including Gayle. So, they are supposed not to repeat the same mistake once again this year and start with Gayle straightaway. Nicholas Pooran is going to play a key role in their batting department like he did last year. Their other two overseas picks are supposed to be Fabian Allen and Jhye Richardson. Allen is going to be their finisher who can give some tight overs as well. They bought Jhye Richardson to solve their bowling woes; therefore he is going to start in Mumbai. So, there is a very slim chance of Malan getting a place in the starting XI. Unless an overseas player performs poorly, I don’t see Malan being preferred in the XI.
Mujeeb ur Rahman (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Mujeeb is one of those versatile spinners who can operate at any phase of the match. But, he has been a part of the teams relying on their overseas batting options; thus his chance of being included in the XI gets reduced (PBKS last year and SRH this season).
The SRH team relies heavily on its top order to do well in the batting department. Their top 4 is most likely to consist of Warner, Bairstow and Williamson; thereby reserving 3 out of 4 overseas slots. Even if they go with Saha in place of Bairstow to avail another overseas player down the order, they are more likely to go with an all rounder like Mohammed Nabi (on spin friendly wickets of Chennai and Delhi) or Jason Holder (on seamer friendly track of Kolkata) as these guys can provide the batting depth.
Secondly, they already have a very good bowling unit comprising of Rashid, Bhuvneshwar, Sandeep and Natarajan. So, I don’t think they need to go with an overseas pure bowling option compromising with their batting. So, it is very unlikely that Mujeeb will get a game in IPL 2021.
Sam Billings (Delhi Capitals)
Another brilliant T20 player who might turn out to be a victim of the “problem of plenty” is Sam Billings. Getting a finisher like Sam Billings in the auction was a great deal for the Delhi Capitals. But, in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, they are most likely to go with one between Steve Smith and Shimron Hetmyer at the top. Their other 3 overseas slots are reserved for Marcus Stoinis, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
Stoinis did tremendously well for them last season. He played some really good knocks at a rapid strike rate and offered some crucial overs with the ball as well. So, their primary plan is supposed to be using Stoinis as their prime finisher with guys like Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel supporting him with the bat.
Also, the South African duo of Rabada and Nortje was instrumental for them to reach the finals last season. Therefore, there is a negligible chance of Billings getting a place in the starting XI. But if Smith or Hetmyer fails at the top, they might promote Stoinis to the top and get Billings down the order to finish things in the later stage of the league.
This is my list of 5 famed overseas players who might not get many games in IPL 2021. Have your say!
Written by Debashish Sarangi. Follow Debashish on Twitter today.
