Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be going through proper physio treatment, but the exact nature of the injury was still unknown. In diving to stop a ball in his successful over of 2/2, Ashwin hurt his left shoulder, and was assisted off the field by DC physiotherapist Patrick Farhart.
Delhi Capitals had scored 157/8 in the first innings with the help of Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis who scored 53 runs off just 22 balls. Though Mayank Agarwal nearly pulled off a match-winning innings with 89 runs off 60 balls, the game went into a Super Over in a nail-biting end.
R Ashwin injures his shoulder.
Diving on his right, R Ashwin injured his left shoulder and left the field immediately. That would have hurt.
Kagiso Rabada sailed the ship for DC, though Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi and Sheldon Cottrell made it look like Punjab had an easy win, before Marcus Stoinis forced the match into a Super Over.
“We had a tough day,” Agarwal told KXIP TV. “There are a lot of positives to take out. The way we came back was fantastic, the way we bowled with the new ball was terrific. It really hurts to not close off the game from the situation we were in, feels terrible.
“This is just the first game. We can get things rolling again. Let’s see how we will go in the coming games. I think to play a game like that first up was fantastic. Everyone was up for it. The guys really put in the effort. Definitely, we should have finished the game when we needed one run.”
It remains to be seen if R Ashwin is fit for the next game. DC skipper Shreyas Iyer said that Ashwin was feeling fine after the match, standing at the post-match presentation without a sling. However, DC physiotherapist Patrick Farhart will continue to assess the spinner’s shoulder and determine whether he can play in Delhi’s next match, which is against CSK on September 25.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
ENG-W vs WI-W 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG-W vs WI-W 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today 21 September 2020 | England Women vs West Indies Women Key Players | Derby Pitch Report
A successful men’s international season ended in thrilling fashion last week. Attention now turns to the women’s game, which is a result of England and West Indies Cricket’s hard work in ensuring this series goes ahead.
The women’s game picked up some incredible momentum earlier in the year, with over 84,000 attending the Final of a successful T20 World Cup. COVID-19 has unfortunately put a halt to that momentum, but as cricket is now underway, there is the opportunity to rebuild that momentum once again. And, with the rise of the women’s game, it is quite clear that it won’t take long to recapture that momentum.
Both England and West Indies have experienced a contrasting 2020 so far from a cricketing perspective. England played well in the T20 World Cup, where they qualified for the Semi Finals, before they were cruelly eliminated due to the Sydney rain. West Indies, on the other hand, endured a poor tournament, failing to qualify out of the group stages. So, in the first of five T20Is, can the Windies start to right the wrongs of a disappointing period in their cricket?
England captain Heather Knight is having some year. She has scored 369 runs in eight T20Is in 2020, at an average of 52.71 and SR 138.72. She has four 50+ scores in these eight matches.
Natalie Sciver was player of the match when England beat West Indies at the T20 World Cup. She scored 57 (56) to set up England’s innings, and the star all-rounder will be key once again. Also, she scored three half centuries in four innings at the T20 World Cup.
Stafanie Taylor has the most runs in England-West Indies T20Is (351), at a strong average of 31.91. The Windies’ captain is also the top wicket-taker in matches between the two countries (18).
Deandra Dottin had a quiet T20 World Cup. The all-rounder has the second-most runs of active players in England-West Indies T20Is (301, avg. 21), as well as nine wickets. She is crucial to the Windies’ chances in this T20I.
Danielle Wyatt also had a quiet T20 World Cup. She has the most runs vs West Indies of any active England player (175), but will be keen to improve on her average of 19.44 against them.
Amy Jones averages 34.00 vs West Indies, which includes 23* (13) against them in the T20 World Cup.
Anya Shrubsole has the second-most wickets in England-West Indies T20Is (14), and took eight wickets in four games in the T20 World Cup.
Afy Fletcher has six wickets vs England, at a strike rate of 15.
Sophie Ecclestone continues to soar. The left-arm spinner has a superb career record to date (50 wickets in 34 T20Is), and she took 3/7 vs West Indies in the T20 World Cup. Her spin partner, Sarah Glenn, took six wickets in four matches at the World Cup, including 2/16 vs West Indies.
ENG-W vs WI-W 1st T20I Preview Dream11: Nat Sciver will be key.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 19, England 8, West Indies 8.
England lead 2-1 in the last five meetings vs West Indies, with two matches abandoned.
Lee-Ann Kirby top-scored for West Indies vs England in the T20 World Cup with 20. West Indies will be looking for a better batting display.
Possible Playing 11
Tammy Beaumont has batted at both opener and six in T20Is this year. So, it remains to be seen if she or Amy Jones opens the batting.
England: 1. Danielle Wyatt, 2. Amy Jones (wk), 3. Natalie Sciver, 4. Heather Knight (c), 5. Fran Wilson, 6. Tammy Beaumont, 7. Katherine Brunt, 8. Mady Villiers, 9. Anya Shrubsole, 10. Sophie Ecclestone, 11. Sarah Glenn
The last Vitality Blast matches to be played at the County Ground in Derby were in 2018. In four completed matches in that tournament, the average first innings score was 157.7. Both the team batting first and second won two games each. This ground has undergone some great renovations, so a decent batting track should be expected for an International T20 match.
The weather forecast looks promising for this match, with almost no chance of rain. The temperature will be cool (sub-20 degrees).
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
ENG-W vs WI-W 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
ENG-W vs WI-W 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction
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Match Prediction
The head-to-head record between the sides is close, but England have improved at a much greater rate in recent times than West Indies, who have struggled in the last 12 months or so. England look good to win the opening match.
IPL 2020 Match 3: SRH vs RCB Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report| SRH vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Today | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
One side has performed relatively well in IPL cricket, while the other, apart from a few hopeful moments, have largely disappointed. Two teams with significant attention on them will do battle in IPL 2020’s third match, seeking to make the perfect start to their respective campaigns.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, since their inception in 2013, have performed consistently, reaching the playoffs five times in seven attempts, with a Title in 2016. However, opinion is split on SRH this season. On one hand, many believe their terrific opening combination, along with capable bowling attack, can be the catalyst for another strong season. On the contrary, there is the risk of too much reliance on the Warner-Bairstow combination, which was the case in 2019, where they qualified for the playoffs with more losses than wins.
So, which will it be for SRH this season? If their middle order falters in their opening game, the criticism and concern will grow louder regarding that aspect of their game. So, an all-round performance first up will certainly help boost confidence, which is important early on in what looks a very competitive tournament.
Their opponents, Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be out to prove that this season is not like the others. That this season is indeed different. That this season could be the one. Their loyal fans are always greatly optimistic of their chances, but one feels that optimism has some merit this time around, with some key changes to the setup. In addition to Simon Katich and Mike Hesson at the helm, RCB had a more focused auction, seeking solutions to long-standing problems. However, much will also depend on how quickly they can strike the perfect combinations, build confidence and overcome mental scars of failure in key moments over the years.
RCB is comfortably the worst side against spin in the past two seasons. The overall average against spin in this period is 28, compared to RCB’s 23. When it comes to leg-spin, RCB average just 22, compared to the league’s 25. Against off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox, the story is even more dire (average of just 17 vs off-spin and 23 vs SLA). So, it will be interesting to see how Virat Kohli’s men fare against the likes of Rashid Khan and co. in their campaign opener.
Also read: Will RCB and SRH make the playoffs in IPL 2020? CricBlog’s tournament predictions!
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
David Warner is one of the all-time IPL greats. The three-time Orange Cap winner has a magnificent record against RCB: 562 runs, avg. 80.29.
Warner and Jonny Bairstow took RCB apart last season, each scoring centuries. The Warner-Bairstow opening combination is a key strength of SRH.
How quickly will the great Virat Kohli hit his strides in IPL 2020? He has the second-most runs in SRH-RCB matches with 504 at an average of 45.82.
AB de Villiers is next with 389 (avg. 35.36). ABD and Kohli will be crucial, so how they play the spin of SRH will be key.
Will Aaron Finch line up right away for RCB? If he does, RCB will have an in-form opener: Finch hit 226 runs in six knocks across T20Is and ODIs in England. Also, Finch was outstanding in the UAE last year vs Pakistan, hitting 451 runs in five ODIs at an average of 112.75.
Manish Pandey has a vital role to play in SRH’s middle order, along with Vijay Shankar. Pandey had a strong 2019 campaign, with 344 runs at an average of 43.00 and SR 130.79.
If SRH choose Mohammad Nabi as their all-rounder, they will be picking an in-form off-spinner. RCB struggle against off-spin in IPL, and Nabi is coming off 12 wickets in 12 matches in the recent CPL, at an economy rate of just 5.10.
Rashid Khan has taken seven wickets in five games vs RCB. Also, Rashid has three wickets in 10 overs in T20Is at Dubai.
Can Khaleel Ahmed build on his brilliant 2019 season, where he took 19 wickets in nine games? Also, Khaleel picks up a wicket every eight balls vs RCB.
Yuzvendra Chahal is one of RCB’s key hopes. The brilliant legspinner was RCB’s leading wicket-taker in 2019, with 18 in 14 games. Also, Chahal has the second-most wickets in SRH-RCB matches (10).
IPL 2020 Match 3: SRH vs RCB Preview Dream11 – A big season for Kohli and ABD.
RCB have won two of their last three games against SRH, bouncing back to beat the men in orange in their final match last season.
RCB have the worst economy rate in overs 17-20 of any active team in IPL (10.46).
Possible Playing 11
The great Kane Williamson is likely to warm the bench as David Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Rashid Khan are three set overseas picks for SRH. The other overseas slot is likely to be taken by an all-rounder, with Mohammad Nabi, Fabian Allen and Mitchell Marsh the options. Also, SRH could look to play the very talented Priyam Garg and Abdul Samad, two of the excellent domestic talents to watch out for in IPL 2020.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Priyam Garg, 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Vijay Shankar, 6. Mohammad Nabi/Mitchell Marsh, 7. Abdul Samad/Abhishek Sharma, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Khaleel Ahmed, 11. Sandeep Sharma
RCB have some decisions to make regarding their overseas talent. Given plenty was invested in Chris Morris, you feel he and AB de Villiers are certainties for two of the four overseas slots. Another could be taken by Aaron Finch, with the other to be between Moeen Ali, Dale Steyn or the in-form Adam Zampa (10 wickets in last three ODIs vs England). It will depend on RCB’s priorities, which could mean that Moeen is favoured first up, given the value he could provide in the middle-order (an area where RCB has struggled) and with the ball.
AB de Villiers has been seen training with the wicket-keeping gloves, which could mean he starts the tournament as the keeper. So, Parthiv Patel could be left out, with either Kohli or the exciting Devdutt Padikkal to open. Also, given ABD has had his issues against spin in recent seasons, could he be pushed lower down the order to take advantage of the death overs?
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Aaron Finch, 2. Devdutt Padikkal, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Moeen Ali, 5. AB de Villiers (wk), 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Washington Sundar/Pawan Negi, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Navdeep Saini
Dubai Pitch and Weather Report
At the time of writing, the Dubai surface for the Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab match had a good covering of grass. But, it wasn’t totally even, which saw quite a bit of bounce, as well as some other deliveries stay low. In 62 T20 Internationals at Dubai, the average run rate is 7.13, but both sides are capable of crossing this on a surface that still shapes up to be better than is usually the case.
In terms of the weather, more hot weather and no rain is forecast. There is a chance of some dew in the second innings, which could prompt the captain who wins the toss to select to chase.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Match Prediction
A cracking match in store. Much could depend on whether RCB can get the better of SRH’s openers, where they can then target SRH’s middle order, followed by the death overs period which could be crucial. The same applies to whether SRH can get the better of RCB’s top four. One feels that the side who gets the better of the respective top orders can come out on top.
Thanks for reading!
Also read: Will RCB and SRH make the playoffs in IPL 2020? CricBlog’s tournament predictions!
IPL 2020 Day 1: Twitter reactions as CSK finally beat MI | Twitter reactions from IPL 2020 Match 1 between Chennai Super Kings & Mumbai Indians
Stop the press. Chennai Super Kings, for the first time since 2018 and just the third time in their last 11 efforts, have beaten Mumbai Indians.
And this one is special for the CSK fans.
With doubts about how they would fare in the UAE, particularly without Suresh Raina, CSK got off to the perfect start in IPL 2020. They overcame Mumbai’s initial onslaught, restricting the champions to 162, before Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis, who also took two amazing catches, were steady as a rock after the fall of two early wickets.
Indeed, CSK are not just making up the numbers in 2020.
Special mention to Sam Curran, who produced an incredible debut for CSK. Playing just hours after landing in Abu Dhabi after England’s ODI series against Australia, Curran took 1/28, two catches and hit a crucial 18 off six balls to put CSK on the brink of victory.
Amid the success for CSK is some concern for MI. They have lost their first match yet again. Their finishing was a let down (26/4 in final four overs), and Jasprit Bumrah, one of the key Indian pacers to watch in IPL 2020, looked well below his best. Of course, benefit of the doubt has to be given as he has had injury problems, as well as an extended layoff due to COVID-19. So, eyes will be on how India’s premier bowler and MI bounce back in future matches.
IPL 2020 Day 1: Twitter reactions as CSK finally beat MI
Here are some of the Twitter reactions from a gripping episode of “El Classico”.
Ambati Rayudu endured a poor 2019 campaign (282 runs, avg. 23.50, SR 93.06) after a brilliant 2018 (602 runs, avg. 43.00, SR 149.75). Here, he produced his 2018 form, winning player of the match in a game where other players performed brilliantly for CSK.
Excellent knock Rayudu, came in a tough position when CSK was 2 down and he scored fifty from just 33 balls including 6 fours and 2 sixes. He is showing some signs of 2018 IPL, really good for the yellow army.
Must give credit where it's due. Rayudu's (utterly unanticipated) knock was fantabulous. The manner in which he handled Bumrah and pounced upon the spin duo was remarkable.
With Dwayne Bravo not quite fit to take the field, CSK fielded the perfect replacement. Sam Curran produced an outstanding performance in his first game for the franchise.
Sam Curran really flew from England, stayed in quarantine for 36 hours and said let me end Mumbai Indians on 19th#MIvCSKpic.twitter.com/Ia5jtI3sOh
58* and three catches, including two beauties in a crucial 15th over, shows 36-year old Faf du Plessis has still got it. The South African is looking as fit as ever, and will be crucial to CSK’s chances in 2020.
Faf's ability to read the game is underrated. – Fields like a beast. – Judges a catch like a pro. – Doesn't go bang bang with the bat unless necessary. – Pierces gaps to take quick singles when non-striker is in flow.
CSK is lucky to have both MS & Faf in their squad.#MIvCSK
Mumbai Indians have now lost their opening game of an IPL season for the eighth straight season. They are perennial slow starters, so there is no need for panic. But, they would like to rectify a couple of things quickly, such as their death batting and bowling.
MI in their opening IPL games since 2013:
2020: Lost 2019: Lost 2018: Lost 2017: Lost 2016: Lost 2015: Lost 2014: Lost 2013: Lost #Dream11IPL#MIvCSK
So, the talking points are plentiful after IPL 2020 day 1. It will be interesting to see how CSK and MI in their coming matches, as well as which teams can challenge them most.
Twitter Reactions as IPL 2020 kicks off with ‘El Classico’ | IPL fans in a frenzy on Twitter as IPL 2020 gets underway
“To have cricket back! Mr. Gavaskar, how good?”, said Kevin Pietersen on commentary as the players walked out onto the field. And the feeling is widely mutual.
After months of discussions between the BCCI and UAE Cricket Board amid the coronavirus pandemic and ICC World T20, IPL 2020 finally got underway on a surprisingly green-looking surface at Abu Dhabi. This edition is like no other, with the usual fanfare in stadiums not present due to a pandemic. However, the fanfare was in spades on Twitter as the tournament began.
The build up was huge
IPL fans couldn’t contain their excitement in the hours leading up to the IPL 2020 opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Insights, humour and sheer emotion were all present in equal measure.
It's hilarious that I'll be watching the game with my friends who all are MI fans except one and are die hard Dhoni fans like me. Idhar to alag hi Kurukshetra bana rakha hai?
With no crowds present at ‘El Classico’, broadcasters added simulated crowd noise so the experience isn’t too different for the viewer. It was received with mixed reviews.
The Dream11 IPL is underway, and it promises to be one of the most open tournaments yet. All eight teams are capable of producing wonders on their day, and it will be interesting to see who performs best. For now, everyone can rejoice in more cricket on our screens after a four-month layoff due to COVID-19.
IPL 2020 Match 2: DC vs KXIP Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | DC vs KXIP Dream11 Prediction Today | Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
A day after the two most successful sides in IPL history do battle, two of the competition’s underachievers do battle to kickstart their respective campaigns.
What is in store for Delhi Capitals in 2020? 2019 was a breakthrough season for the rebranded franchise, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2012. So, Shreyas Iyer’s men will be looking to build on the progress they made in a season that looks the most open in recent times. Delhi’s team composition, which will be formed from a squad that contains plenty of openers, will be interesting to see, as well as how well their spin attack can deliver right away.
Their opponents also have a season of opportunity awaiting them. Will Kings XI Punjab reign as the King XI, or will 2020 be a repeat of the underachievement that has plagued them over the years? Now led by the impressive KL Rahul, Kings XI have only qualified for the playoffs twice in 12 campaigns, but their strong auction and greater emphasis on middle order prowess is a source of optimism. Delhi, who focus on spin, will certainly be a good test for the Kings XI lineup right away, who will be looking to achieve what they have done over the past two seasons and make a strong start.
Also read: Will KXIP and DC make the playoffs in IPL 2020? CricBlog’s tournament predictions!
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
KL Rahul is a genuine Orange Cap contender in IPL 2020. Since November 19 2019, Rahul has struck 562 runs in T20Is for India at an average of 51.09. Also, his last two IPL campaigns have been outstanding: 1,252 runs, avg. 54.43, SR: 146.60.
Rishabh Pant has a huge role to play for DC in 2020. His last two IPL campaigns have been excellent: 1,172 runs, avg. 45.08, SR: 173.89. He clearly performs better in IPL cricket compared to T20Is, so far.
Shreyas Iyer, the DC skipper, has the fourth-most runs in Delhi-Punjab matches (245). He was Player of the Match vs Punjab at Delhi in IPL 2019 (58* off 43 balls).
Mayank Agarwal could open the batting for Kings XI to enable greater balance in their XI. He scored over 300 runs in IPL 2019 at an excellent strike rate of 141.88. Can he build on his previous season average of 25.88?
DC have a plethora of openers in their squad. However, expect Shikhar Dhawan to be their first choice. The left-hander was the fourth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2019 (521 runs, avg. 34.73, SR: 135.67).
Shimron Hetmyer is also one to watch for DC in IPL 2020. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded CPL (267).
Given the change in quarantine rules, Glenn Maxwell could be available for this match. He is coming off a superb ODI century for Australia, and has an excellent IPL record in the UAE: 5 innings, 300 runs, avg. 60.
Kagiso Rabada is a genuine Purple Cap contender. He was the leading pace bowler in IPL 2019 with 25 wickets in 12 matches. He was second only to Imran Tahir (26 wickets) in the entire tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin meets his old team. He has 15 wickets in 15 games against Kings XI Punjab.
Mohammed Shami took the most wickets for KXIP in IPL 2019 (19 wickets in 14 matches).
Mujeeb ur Rahman is coming off a superb CPL 2020 campaign (second-most wickets with 16). However, IPL promises to be a tougher test, and Mujeeb’s wicket-per-match ratio is lower at 1.06 in IPL cricket.
IPL 2020 Match 2: DC vs KXIP Preview Dream11: A big season ahead for KL Rahul.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 24, DC 10, KXIP 14.
KXIP have won four of the past five meetings against DC. This includes an incredible match in 2019, where Delhi lost 7/8 to blow their chase of 166. However, there is no Sam Curran this time around for Punjab.
Glenn Maxwell has a poor record vs Delhi: 7 matches, 45 runs, avg. 7.50. Can he deliver against them this time?
Mujeeb to be kept for Hetmyer and Pant? He has bowled 12 balls to Shimron Hetmyer in T20s, giving away just four runs, with two dismissals. Mujeeb has also dismissed Pant twice, conceding 17 runs in 11 balls.
Average first innings score in 51 T20s at Dubai since 2018: 152/7. However, the average winning first-innings score in this period bumps up to 167/6.
Possible Playing 11
Delhi Capitals are bound to leave out a quality opener, given how many they have in their squad. One is Ajinkya Rahane, who could have to bide his time on the bench throughout the season. Also, it will be interesting to see who bats where for DC after the openers, which could depend on the position they are in during their innings.
Also, given the change in quarantine measures, both Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey could be available for selection. So, one could play in the middle order, with Keemo Paul, Daniel Sams and Sandeep Lamichhane as other options for the overseas slots.
Kings XI Punjab have decisions of their own. Chris Gayle, the greatest T20 player of all-time, could sit out as Kings XI look to strengthen their middle order and have variety in their attack – areas where they have struggled in recent seasons. Glenn Maxwell, who was purchased for a big fee, will likely slot in if available, alongside the dynamic Nicholas Pooran in the middle order.
The make up of the bowling attack will be interesting to see, with some solid overseas options. Mujeeb ur Rahman was outstanding in the recent CPL and offers great value in the powerplay, with Mohammed Shami and Sheldon Cottrell the go-to options at the death.
Kings XI Punjab: 1. KL Rahul (c), 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Karun Nair, 4. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Sarfaraz Khan, 7. Krishnappa Gowtham, 8. Mohammed Shami, 9. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. Ishan Porel/Ravi Bishnoi
Dubai Pitch and Weather Report
In 62 T20 Internationals at Dubai, the average run rate is 7.13, which is slightly higher than Abu Dhabi’s 7.00. The surfaces are expected to be slow throughout the campaign, but less so at the start of the tournament. This was the case in match one of IPL 2020 at Abu Dhabi, where grass was kept on the pitch. For a team like Delhi, that possesses less big hitting ability compared to other franchises, their best bet could be to bat first, get runs on the board and defend with spin. It will be interesting to see the decision by the captain who wins the toss.
The setting vs chasing factor is a tough one to decode. In 51 T20s at Dubai since 2018, teams batting first have won 25 times and chasing teams have won 26 times.
A very hot day is forecast on Sunday, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-30s by the time this game starts (6PM).
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
IPL 2020 Match 2: DC vs KXIP Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
Match Prediction
This one has the makings for a close one. Both sides are evenly matched and with points to prove, which will provide the key players with motivation to perform and help their team win. One feels that this could be a battle between the top orders – if Kings XI Punjab can expose Delhi’s middle order early, they could very well go on to win the game. Given their success last season, DC start as favourites, but their top order needs to set a strong platform.
4 Big-Name Players who might Warm the Bench in IPL 2020 | 4 proven T20 players who might warm the bench for most of the IPL 2020 season
The Indian Premier League is filled with lots of talent in all teams, which makes for extremely competitive and entertaining cricket being played over the course of the next two months.
An equal purse means that all eight teams have a fair chance of constructing the best squad. The tournament has a close race between the teams for the playoffs spots every year. Along with this, there is also fierce competition between the players of each team to get into the playing XI.
With the amount of talent at each franchise’s disposal, some of the star players are bound to be benched by the team management. Over the years, a lot of big Indian and international stars have been benched by the team management to field the better combination.
Here is a look at the big names who might miss out on the playing XI in the majority of their team’s matches in the upcoming IPL.
1. Chris Lynn
Chris Lynn will likely warm the bench for a lot of IPL 2020.
The first name in the list is the big-hitting opener, Chris Lynn. Lynn will ply his trade for the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming season as he was snapped for base price by the defending champions. Lynn was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2019 and scored over 400 runs at a strike rate of 139 and an average of 31. He was released by the franchise as he was costing a significant amount of 9.6 crores from their purse.
But at MI, the Australian will most likely be a backup option considering the batting line-up of the defending champions. Quinton De Kock and Rohit Sharma is a set combination at the top of the order followed by Suryakumar Yadav. De Kock scored 529 runs at a SR of 135 in 2019, so it is unlikely that he will be dropped even though they have the option of Kishan keeping. Also, the Protea gives the RHB-LHB batting option for MI which is they will be unlikely to tamper with.
2. Kane Williamson
The great Kane Williamson could warm the bench for a lot of IPL 2020.
After scoring 735 runs at a strike rate of 142 and average of 45 in the 2018 IPL season, Williamson scored just 156 runs in the following season. He was the captain of the side in both the seasons, but having been released from leadership duties for the upcoming season it is unlikely that the Kiwi will start for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
They already boast of the likes of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow in the opening slot and it is unlikely that they tamper with the opening pair. As for the middle order, SRh has plenty of Indian options in Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey, Virat Singh, Priyam Garg, Saha and Abdul Samad and playing them will give SRH an opportunity to play two overseas all-rounders between Rashid Khan, Fabian Allen and Mohammad Nabi.
3. Dale Steyn
Will Dale Steyn get more opportunities in IPL 2020?
An RCB playing XI always makes the news, and often for the wrong reasons, especially in the recent past. One legend who might not be a part of the Royal Challenger’s starting line-up is Protea Dale Steyn.
Steyn was a part of RCB in a couple of games in IPL 2019, before he was injured which eventually led to him missing the World Cup.
RCB’s squad include players like AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Aaron Finch and Chris Morris, who will have the edge over the speedster in the selection. Aaron Finch has been brought in to take the load off Virat Kohli and de Villiers, while Chris Morris is their proposed solution to the long-standing death bowling issues. With the pitches in UAE expected to be slow and assisting turn, Moeen is likely to be a part of RCB’s first XI considering his all-round abilities as a power-hitter against spin, as well as the vlaue he can provide with his own off-spin bowling.
RCB have Indian bowlers, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj and Navdeep Saini among whom only two will be a part of the playing XI. So Dale Steyn is likely to warm the bench.
4. Ajinkya Rahane
Will Ajinkya Rahane warm the bench in IPL 2020, or could he play in the middle order?
The last player in our list is Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane was traded into the Delhi Capitals from the Rajasthan Royals. With the team already having a gun Indian top order in Shaw, Dhawan, Iyer and Pant it is highly unlikely that Rahane will get a place in the DC playing XI.
Having Rahane as an opener instead of Dhawan will disrupt the LHB-RHB batting combination and Shaw will be expected to start considering the fact that Ponting-led management backed him for the entirety of the last season.
Unless a major injury happens, the above-mentioned players are unlikely to play a lot of games for the franchise.
Australia in ODIs: 5 things to focus on moving forward | 5 things Australia need to focus on to continue improving in ODI cricket
Australia has always been a side to beat in world cricket. They are a cohesive unit at their best, and everyone’s performance is synchronized with the team’s need at that point in time. And their never-say-die spirit is what makes them a great team and one of the toughest to beat.
But, post-World Cup 2019, one can see a dip in their performances as a team. They haven’t won as many games as they would like, losing back-to-back series to India and South Africa. And the rankings certainly proves this point, as they’re ranked fourth in the ICC ODI rankings. Even after winning a closely-fought ODI series against England in their backyard, they still have some work to do moving ahead and preparing for the mega-events.
Here are the five points on things they can build on for the future.
5. Death bowling worries
Australia have a daunting trio in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. There are no doubts about the abilities of these bowlers, but of late they’re found to be guilty of leaking runs at the backend. Starc had a dream run in the World Cup, but since has struggled to find his rhythm & deliver in the slog overs. Hazlewood hardly bowls in the death overs and one can see that in his wicket tally at the death. Cummins has been the strong force for Australia like he has been for two years now, but he also struggled at the death this series, particularly in the second ODI as Adil Rashid and Tom Curran hit crucial late runs.
Australia’s pacers at the death since 2019 World Cup:
Australia in ODIs: The performance of Australia’s bowlers at the death since 2019 World Cup.
So what can the team management do?
They can bring in Kane Richardson, who’s been their first choice bowler in T20Is. His effective change of pace can come good in the last ten overs. Or they can go with the express pace of Riley Meredith, who can bowl those yorkers and bumpers at a rapid pace.
2. Do Australia keep this personnel for middle-order or try new players?
Australia in ODIs: Josh Philippe is one for the future.
Australia’s bench strength is pretty strong at the moment with the likes of Matthew Wade and rising star Josh Phillippe warming the bench. Matthew Wade has been terrific since his comeback in the 2019 Ashes, but he wasn’t able to make a case for himself in the ODI XI because of Alex Carey. He certainly has the ability to bat in the middle order, as has the power game which will ease some pressure off Maxwell in the middle.
Josh Phillippe came into the limelight after his good run with the bat in the Big Bash League. However, he’s predominantly a top-order player, and was left out since there’s no spot in the top four with the addition of Marnus Labuschagne. Former Australian great Adam Gilchrist spoke very highly of the young Wicketkeeper-batsman and said “A guy like Philippe could be a catalyst for change.”
Captain Aaron Finch said that they’re looking at the bigger picture now and want to give more chances to players like Phillipe to build a strong core before the World Cup in India in 2023. Finch can test him in the middle order and he might cash onto the opportunity because of his ability to play both spinners and pacers equally well. Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb are also there, and will keep knocking on the door of the selectors.
Alex Carey finished the 2019 World Cup as the highest run-getter among wicket-keepers. His average of 62.5 was a notch above that of any other player, with 375 runs at a healthy strike-rate of 104.17. In the end, he was rightfully named in the team of the tournament.
However, Carey has struggled to rediscover his mojo specifically in ODI cricket. The WK batsman averaged only 15.75 with the bat in his nine ODI matches before the series decider vs England. Although he was brilliant in the last ODI at Manchester, where he scored his maiden ODI ton while chasing a big total, the likes of Wade and Phillippe waiting in the wings means Carey has to score consistently to remain a permanent member of the XI. This innings will instill more confidence in him to not suddenly have to think he’s got to rein it in, but rather do express himself routinely in the future for Australia.
2. First choice all-rounder: Marcus Stoinis or Mitchell Marsh?
Australia in ODIs: Mitchell Marsh has had a solid 2020 so far in ODIs.
The slot for the seam-bowling all-rounder is up for grabs. And Australia has got two contenders in Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis. Mitchell Marsh’s form in BBL 09 earned his place back in the limited-overs squad when Australia toured South Africa. Marsh’s compact technique and Test match experience, in combination with his ability to strike big, makes him a good contender for the middle order spot when he can chip in with few overs and can take an odd wicket or two.
On the other hand, you have Stoinis, who was in supreme touch in the BBL scoring over 600 runs. However, he batted as an opener throughout the tournament, and he clearly prefers batting at the top of the order, which raises questions against his selection. Australia already has a problem of plenty at the top, so it makes the case of Stoinis even weaker. Also, statistically, Mitch Marsh has a slight edge over Stoinis with the bat and ball. It’ll all depend on the team’s combination and the form while selecting one between the two all-rounders.
1. Glenn Maxwell’s Role in the team
Australia in ODIs: Glenn Maxwell can produce the extraordinary, but remains a little inconsistent.
Since his comeback in the team after a mental health break, it’s almost like we’re seeing a new and better version of Glenn Maxwell. He’s looking supremely fit, striking the ball better than before and one can see the hunger in his eyes to perform for Australia at the highest level. If Maxwell is in a good space, then he can win you matches on his own. And with the ball, he can chip in with few overs and on his day might end taking a wicket or two.
Such an asset to have in your team when at his best. And Aaron Finch agrees.
But, in the current Australian team there’s a lack of clarity in terms of Maxwell’s role. Justin Langer and Aaron Finch need to nail down his role in the 11, or they’ll waste a potential like Maxwell. He’s currently a floater in the team; the number of overs decides his batting position, but this hasn’t worked out well with him. Maxwell’s average of 48 and strike rate of over 120 is what you get with at 7. Although the sample size is small still, it can give him the license to go after the bowling without any pressure of setting a total or chasing one down.
Let him play freely, assign a specific role and that’s when you’ll get the best out of ‘The Big Show’.
Written by Vaibhav Tripathi. Follow Vaibhav on Twitter today.
8 IPL Auction Buys that could Prove to be Masterstrokes in 2020 | Which Auction Buy will be the best in the Indian Premier League in 2020?
The Indian Premier League’s much-awaited start is upon us as the Mumbai Indians lock horns with the Chennai Super Kings in the opening encounter in Abu Dhabi.
But, the auction of the lucrative T20 league took place way back in December last year in Kolkata. All teams went into the auction with a precise plan and bought the players according to the players they released or the weakness of the franchise. Along with the auction, the teams did a lot of activity in the trade window as well with players swapping teams according to their particular needs
We take a look at the one auction or trade buy from each team to watch out for over the course of the next couple of months in the IPL 2020.
1. Trent Boult – Mumbai Indians
8 IPL Auction Buys to watch: Trent Boult is a superb bowler.
The Mumbai Indians have always liked to have some variety in their bowling attack. They released three left-arm pacers in the squad, Jason Behrendorff, Beuran Hendricks and Barinder Sran and traded in Trent Boult from the Delhi Capitals.
In the absence of Malinga, who is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, Trent Boult is one of the contenders to start in the MI Playing XI. Malinga was the second-highest leading wicket-taker for MI in IPL 2019 with 14 wickets and bowled the final over of the final last year, successfully defending two runs off the last ball.
Boult will face stiff competition for a spot in the XI, with Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson also in the running. Considering MI will play two overseas bowlers, Boult has a fair chance of being regular as he bowls most of his overs in the powerplay and that will help MI reserving Bumrah’s overs for the latter part of the inning. Mitchell McClenaghan is another leading option as he may be used as a left-hander with his pinch-hitting skills.
MI has a history of playing two overseas pacers in the recent past. But, with this year’s pitches expected to be slow, it will be interesting to see whether they opt for two overseas pacers or a solitary pacer and give themselves the luxury of a spin option, which may lessen Boult’s chances of regularly playing in the XI.
Every year, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have at least one buy from the auction that grabs eyeballs and this year is no different. This year the franchise bagged pacer Chris Morris for whopping 10 crores. It is evident that they have bought Morris to solve their death over issues as they were the worst performing bowling side in the last season.
Morris had an economy rate of 8.22 in the death overs and RCB will hope that he replicates similar kind of performances in the upcoming season and solves their long standing death bowling issues.
3. Sam Curran – Chennai Super Kings
8 IPL Auction Buys to watch: Sam Curran has done well with both red and white ball.
In a team which is called the Dad’s Army, a 21 year old like Sam Curran does look odd. But among the few players CSK bought at the auction, Curran is the most exciting buy.
Last season, the allrounder plied his trade for the Kings XI Punjab and even bagged a hattrick against DC. Overall, he bowled at an economy rate of 9.7 and picked 10 wickets but CSK will hope that his performance is better in the upcoming season.
With Suresh Raina pulling out of the season due to personal issues, MS Dhoni may well use him up the order to try the Righty-Lefty combination. The left handed batsman has scored 250 runs whenever he has batted in the top 3 at an SR of just over 250. In nin3 such occassions, he has batted for 30+ runs in four of them. It will be interesting to see how CSK uses him.
Fabian Allen’s name has been doing the rounds as one of the uprising stars in the Carribean for a while now. Since 2019, Allen has scored 250 runs in 17 innings, striking at 163. In addition to this, he has picked seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.45 but he has bowled sporadically in these matches.
With Bairstow, Warner, Rashid, Nabi already in the ranks, it is unlikely that Fabian Allen will start but with his powerhitting skills and left arm spin option he provides, Allen will definitely be a player to watch out for as the tournament progresses.
5. Glenn Maxwell – Kings XI Punjab
8 IPL Auction Buys to watch: If Glenn Maxwell gets going, watch out.
One player who will be in the reckoning with the tournament scheduled to happen in the UAE is Glenn Maxwell. Last time, the IPL was held in the country, the Aussie scored 300 runs in five matches at an SR of 201.
Like Allen, KXIP too has a lot of alternatives to play ahead of Maxwell in the XI but after splurging 10.75 crores on him, it will be unlikely that Kings XI will bench him. In the last two seasons, KXIP has been really poor in the middle order and Maxwell, if in form, can be the saviour for the team.
6. Pat Cummins – Kolkata Knight Riders
8 IPL Auction Buys to watch: Pat Cummins will be key for KKR.
One auction buy which will be the most interesting to watch out for and expectedly so will be Pat Cummins. KKR bought Cummins for 15.5 crores and he was the costliest buy of this season, and the second-costliest ever.
KKR have been poor in the pacer’s department and Cummins addition will only make them better. To complement Cummins, he most probably have two of Mavi, Krishna, Nagarkoti and Ferguson which will be potentially be one of the best bowling attack in the eight-team league.
7. Shimron Hetmyer – Delhi Capitals
8 IPL Auction Buys to watch: Shimron Hetmyer will be one to watch.
Shimron Hetmyer was bought by Delhi Capitals as a replacement for Colin Ingram who was DC’s No. 5 last season.
Hetmyer had a horrid season with RCB last season with 90 runs in five matches. 74 of them came in one game against SRH, which was a dead rubber as the team had already been knocked out of the tournament. Hetmyer isn’t the one who has to take all the blame as the RCB management played him at four different positions in five matches.
At DC, with Pant, Dhawan and Iyer in the top four it will be a great treat for the fans if Hetmyer plays at five. The Capitals can even consider the option of playing Hetmyer at three and Iyer at four, with Pant finishing at five.
8. Robin Uthappa – Rajasthan Royals
8 IPL Auction Buys to watch: Robin Uthappa to have a strong season?
Robin Uthappa, a certified IPL legend will be out in Rajasthan Royals colours in this year’s edition. After a poor season with KKR last season, where he scored 282 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of just 115, the 2014 Orange Cap winner was released by the franchise.
The Royals bought him for 3 crores in the auction. In an RR line-up with a relatively inexperienced Indian contingent after the departure of Rahane, Uthappa along with Samson will be key to their fortunes. Steve Smith the captain will hope that Uthappa plays like he did in his years for KKR.
5 Indian Seamers to Watch Out For in IPL 2020 | Indian pacers who can make a strong impact in the IPL 2020 season
The Indian Premier League returns to action on Saturday as it is the repeat of last year’s final between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Abu Dhabi. After the lucrative league was postponed during the usual summer window, it’s finally time for cricket’s gargantuan carnival to return on our TV screens.
Over the past decade, the eight-team league has gifted a lot of talent to Indian cricket and some of the fast bowlers have also made their mark in the IPL. Ahead of the upcoming season, here are some of the Indian pacers to watch out for as we list out a few reasons why they are worth keeping an eye on.
1. Jasprit Bumrah
5 Indian pacers to watch out for in IPL 2020: Jasprit Bumrah is crucial to MI’s chances.
Expectedly, the first person in our list is India’s ace pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah. After making his debut in 2013, Bumrah has been a vital cog of the Mumbai Indians set up which has won four titles in the last seven years. He was the leading wicket-taker for MI in IPL 2019, with 19 wickets at an economy rate of 6.63 and was the man of the match in the Final against CSK.
Although Malinga missed the IPL in 2016 and 2018, Bumrah was never the leader of the MI bowling attack. Now, in MI’s quest to defend the title, Bumrah will have to lead the attack, especially in the death overs in place of Malinga who has pulled out of the tournament.
Bumrah was injured in the latter half of the 2019 and wasn’t as impressive as the standards he has set on his return. Post the enforced COVID-19 break, MI will hope that Bumrah is back to his best. It will be interesting to see how things pan out for Bumrah in the next 50 days.
2. Deepak Chahar
5 Indian pacers to watch out for in IPL 2020: Can Deepak Chahar make a big impact for CSK?
Next on our list is another India regular, Deepak Chahar. Like Bumrah, Chahar too was injured before the COVID-19 break and was aiming to make a comeback in the 2020 edition. However, after the team reached the UAE, the pacer tested positive for the virus and was quarantined for a week. Fortunately, he recovered and will be available to play in the opening game against the Mumbai Indians.
In the 2019 edition, Chahar was the leading wicket-taker among pacers for CSK with 22 wickets and was also the tournament’s leading wicket-taker in the powerplay phase. With the T20 World Cup postponed to 2021, the Indian team may try new bowlers and Chahar has to make sure that he is retained in the Indian T20 team.
Another bowler who has faced persistent injury issues over the past 18 months has been Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This season, the SRH bowler has a chance to prove his mettle and put the disappointment of the last two seasons behind him, where he took only 22 wickets in 28 matches.
SRH will hope that on the slowish tracks in UAE, Kumar comes good and will be a lethal force in the death overs like he was 2016 and 2017 IPLs where he won the Purple Cap.
In regards to the Indian team, Kumar has slipped down the pecking order in the recent past, and he will use his experience to make a comeback in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s name in this list may come as a surprise to few, but it won’t be to those who saw him trouble batsman with his raw pace and accuracy in the 2018 U-19 World Cup.
Since then, life has been cruel for the young pacer as he underwent a couple of ankle surgeries. His takers in the 2018 IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders, have persisted with him in this journey and hopefully, Nagarkoti will make his debut and will be a regular feature in KKR’s XI in the 2020 IPL.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti is touted by many as a future India prospect and this year’s IPL will be crucial to the pacer’s future.
The last name, also an uncapped Indian bowler, is Prasidh Krishna. Krishna has shown glimpses of his potential in the past for KKR but is yet to have a successful IPL in entirety.
Krishna announced his arrival with a bang in the 2018 edition with 10 wickets in seven matches but he took only four wickets in 11 matches in 2019. However, he also has had his share of injuries in the past year or so and will be aiming to make a comeback.
Last year, Kohli mentioned Krishna’s name as someone who could have been a wildcard in T20 World Cup in Australia. Can Krishna knock the door down on an Indian call-up?
So, there are five key Indian seamers to watch out for in their respective franchises. Who else do you think could make a significant impact?
