Get full access to archival content from 2001 onwards
Already subscribed? Sign In
Amid stringent social-distancing guidelines and strict quarantine measures, a galaxy of cricket stars has descended on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) finally gets underway on September 19.
Each IPL edition gives a glimpse of young talent and provides them with an opportunity to put the pedal to the metal and showcase their skills to the biggest audience in the game. Here’s a list of young Indian batsmen to look forward to in IPL 2020.
IPL 2020: Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead Sportstar columnist Statsman's all-time XI, which also features the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and Suresh Raina.
Brands had earlier allotted spends for the IPL, the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, which were all scheduled for 2020, and now with only the IPL happening this year, these spends are getting invested on the T20 tournament.
“All these players have played cricket at the highest level for many years... Once they are in the middle they know what to do since they are are very experienced,” he says.
The three-time champion has been the epitome of ruthless efficiency, reaching the final four — the first target for all teams — in every edition it has been a part of.
The last two times the four-time champion tried to defend its title, it did not even make the playoffs.
After months-long delay caused by the global coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 edition of the IPL extravaganza will finally get underway in the UAE on September 19.
While one cannot step out of the hotel rooms during the mandatory quarantine period, movement inside the bubble is also restricted and strictly monitored – and that, many feel, is actually a test of patience.
CSK will undoubtedly miss the big hitting of Suresh Raina and the experience of Harbhajan Singh, but, as always, it will fly under the radar and strike when it’s required.
“You’ve got to take one venue at a time, one opposition at a time — that’s the key in a fast-paced and dynamic tournament like the IPL,” says captain Shreyas Iyer.
The challenge for Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Delhi Capitals, would be to extract potential performances from the players who form a complete winning package on paper.
"Our head coach being Anil bhai, who has been around and has lots and lots of experience, so the youngsters and the guys in the team can benefit from him," says the new Kings XI Punjab skipper.
The closest Kings XI Punjab has come to winning the trophy was in 2014, when it made it to the final but lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets.
We will cover the precautions that need to be taken to avoid serious injuries and medical conditions during the 2020 IPL season in the dry and hot conditions of the UAE.
IPL: “We have a great balance of experience, T20 skill and eager youngsters. This is the most balanced squad since our memorable 2016 season,” says RCB’s captain Virat Kohli.
IPL: RCB is overly dependent on Virat Kohli and A. B. de Villiers in the batting department, and it lacks specialist death bowlers and middle-order finishers.
IPL: The IPL faces its biggest challenge — COVID-19. Fans will be holding their breath, and the competition will be just one reason for this.
IPL: “I feel how a team gels as a unit is the biggest challenge in IPL because of the mix of players from different countries with different styles, cultures and brand of cricket,” says the SRH mentor.
IPL: The Hyderabad franchise, the 2016 IPL champion that has made it to the playoffs five times, continues to be a formidable team.
IPL success is by no means an assured pathway to a great career. For these players and many others, fame and attention are brief and illusory.
“We had a really good auction and have covered all bases really well,” says Rajasthan Royals captain Steve Smith.
IPL: It’s been 12 years since the Jaipur franchise won its only IPL title — under the captaincy of Shane Warne in the inaugural 2008 edition.
Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar says KKR’s think tank wanted Eoin Morgan and Pat Cummins for their leadership qualities.
IPL: Under Dinesh Karthik and former player-turned-coach Brendon McCullum, KKR stands the best chance to go for a third title.
If going by usual parameters of big-hitting prowess in T20 cricket, West Indies players Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell remain hotcakes of the tournament.
Returning to the coaching fold after three years, the former India captain feels his side, Kings XI Punjab, has all the bases covered for IPL 2020.
On the first Sunday of September 2020, Gasly walked away from Monza — the Temple of Speed, the fastest major race track in the world — a Grand Prix winner.
Kagiso Rabada lands in the UAE, bio-bubble for commentators and Rajasthan Royals players Manan Vohra and Anuj Rawat bond over music.
Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy, who has been with SRH, RCB and Kings XI in the IPL, shares his favourite moments from the tournament.
The IPL, deferred this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic, is predominantly a stage for batsmen. But here are some bowlers who've held their own over the years.