IPL 2020: Probable playing 11 and Tournament Prediction

IPL is back. Yes, you read it right IPL 2020 is just on the verge.

The schedule has finally been announced. Defending Champions Mumbai Indians will take on the runners up CSK in the opening encounter on September 19. Everything seems set now. Hopefully no glitches between now and the 1st ball of the tournament. Often, the buildup, the anticipation, and the debates are almost as enthralling as the match itself. So let’s go straight in IPL 2020 with the team’s probable 11 and what to expect from the team this year.

Kolkata Knight Riders

It is a team that everybody loves talking about. Having quality overseas and promising Indian players, they are expected to make it to the playoffs easily. However, the team’s performance will majorly depend on how Morgan and Russell will play.

Expected 11

Sunil Narine, Shubham Gill, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Tripathi, Pat Cummins, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Kings XI Punjab

A team that starts off like an F1 race and then just seems to run out of steam. Last time when this tournament was played in UAE, it was maxwell and Kings XI who lit up the tournament. However, their inexperienced bowling lineup might not allow them even to make it to the playoffs.

Expected 11

KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Glenn Maxwell, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, K Gowtham, Chris Jordan, Mujeeb UR Rahman, Mohd. Shami, M. Ashwin.

Chennai Superkings

Every single year they have qualified for the playoffs and this year won’t be any different. However, the absence of Raina, Bhajji, and lack of a death specialist bowler is an area of concern for them. It seems highly unlikely for them to win the tournament this year. No… no, MSD fans, please don’t abuse me.

Expected 11

Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Faf Du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Imran Tahir.

Mumbai Indians

MI has been the standout team in the tournament in the last few years. However, there are 2 hurdles that they need to fly this year i.e. playing in UAE and playing in an even year. Should they have James Pattinson in the playing 11? The answer is simple, its a yes. He is one bowler who hits the deck hard and can produce wicket at any stage of the game. His on-field presence can make a difference because of his aggression(also, he is one of my favourite players).

They are in the playoffs for sure but I have a gut feeling that they are not winning it this year(also 2020 is an even year)

Expected 11

Quinton De Kock, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.

Rajasthan Royals

A team looks good on paper but often disappoints on the field. Lack of experienced Indian players and a proper finisher might not allow them to make it to the playoffs.

Expected 11

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos buttler, Steve Smith, Sanju Samson, Ben stokes, Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

A team that is completely opposite of the Rajasthan Royals. This team doesn’t look dangerous on paper but their on-field performance never fails to amaze us. However, their lower-order batting doesn’t look promising enough and makes me believe that they won’t be making it to the playoffs this year.

Expeceted 11

Jonny Bairstow, David Warner, Manish Pandey, Wriddhiman Saha, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Md. Nabi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Siddharth Kaul.

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals for me is the contender for lifting this year’s trophy. Having the bulk of experienced Indian batsman and spinners that too in UAE’s playing conditions is their biggest advantage. Alex Carey and Marcus Stoinis were smart buys as they will be handy in finishing games which the capitals lacked last year.

Having covered all aspects and having enough backup, this team looks completely flawless.

Expected 11

Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, R. Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Expectation often leads to disappointments. This has been their story every year. Even after having big names, they fail to qualify even for the playoffs.

Inclusion of Chris Morris will somehow minimize their lower-order batting issue. However, expecting Dale Steyn to play all 14 games on a trot seems unlikely and with Kane Richardson’s withdrawal, their bowling unit will be tested again this year.

Seems like “Ee Sala Cup Namde” will be postponed for another year.

Expected 11

Aaron Finch, Devdutt padikkal, Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Mann, Chris Morris, Pawan Negi, Navdeep Saini, Dale Steyn, Yuzi Chahal.

My prediction for IPL 2020 can go wrong, afterall, I am not Jofra Archer ?

Further, you may like reading, Cricket Quiz- Which Popular Cricketer’s Career Would You Have?

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Ajay Khandelwal

A corporate accountant by profession. Ajay loves writing on not so random topics to stay insane.