4 Teams that can qualify for playoffs in IPL 2020 in UAE

The news of the likelihood of IPL being conducted in the UAE has come as a great relief. Relief– a word that has almost become an aberration in the times we’re living in! The never-ending rampage of coronavirus has slammed all the possibilities of conducting IPL in India. However, getting the IPL shifted outside India is not even remotely as scary as the thought of IPL being cancelled is.

The very second edition of IPL was held in South Africa as the elections of 2009 forced the tournament out. An initial part of the 2014 edition was shifted to the UAE due to the same reason. General elections and IPL have not been very good friends, but it’s understandable that a tournament of such vast magnitude cannot coincide with a democratic exercise of a similar magnitude. Anyway, long story short, this won’t be the first time that IPL would be played outside India.

As the situation kept getting from bad to worse, the question was whether the IPL should be conducted this year at all. However, the organizers have done a commendable job to convert that question into whether the IPL should be conducted in India.

It is certainly going to be challenging for teams as they shopped thinking the IPL will be in India like usual. However, the dynamics of the game will change and there will be many differences as it shifts out. The tournament is not going to be the same this year, but is there anything that has remained the same this year?

Let’s take a look at the changing dynamics that awaits teams this year and the contenders having the best chance of making into the playoffs as the IPL travels UAE:

1. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians. (Photo: Susheel Prajapati)

2013, 2015, 2017, 2019…? If you solved number-patterns in logical reasoning (or even if you didn’t), you’ll immediately call 2021 after reading the above pattern. That’s what Mumbai Indians’ IPL winning record looks like. Well, jokes apart, they are one of the most reliable and consistent teams in the history of the tournament.

Mumbai Indians have always been smart in their approach to the auctions. While adding some exciting and young players, they have ensured to not loosen their grip on the core. They have an opener who needs no certification in Rohit Sharma, who when paired with Quinton de Kock or Chris Lynn makes a magnificent duo.

Though the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan in the middle-order may not sound the most dazzling, they have made contributions and gelled up with the team extremely well over the years. Having Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and the specialist all-rounder like Pollard, their lower-middle order is pleasingly taken care of.

The strongest part of this camp is probably the bowling attack. The tracks in UAE have offered not much assistance to the pacers over the years, however, with quicks like Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan, the MI camp need not solely depend on assistance from the wickets.

Moreover, the distinguishable versatility of Jasprit Bumrah and the incessant yorkers of the mightily experienced Lasith Malinga many a time takes the pitch out of contention. The four-time-winning team is a sure-shot contender of making in the playoffs.

2. Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings. (Photo: Susheel Prajapati)

The venue doesn’t matter to this team. Conduct the IPL on Jupiter, Chennai Super Kings’ chances of sailing in the playoffs will still be a hundred per cent. 10 appearances, 8 finals, 3 titles, and 5 times runner up, there is no team more successful than the ‘Yellow Army’.

Given the fact that the tracks in UAE are usually flat and offer quite a lot to the spinners, CSK camp must be ecstatically dancing having the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir, Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma, and Piyush Chawla. They have a great deal of variety and a hugely experienced set up when it comes to their spin department.

On gripping wickets, Dwayne Bravo and Sam Curran may prove handy bowlers. Given the fact that neither Lungi Ngidi nor Josh Hazlewood relies only on speed, they might be able to bring something out from even the dead tracks of UAE.

On the front of batting, CSK has stuck to its core and has backed the Indian batsmen such as Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu in their middle order for long. With the experienced Watson at the top alongside Faf du Plessis, the top-order looks settled. Further, all-rounders like Jadeja and Bravo and a champion finisher like MSD means they bat deep enough. Overall, CSK is a sure entrant in the playoffs.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Susheel Prajapati

The Sunrisers in their 8 seasons of IPL have qualified for the playoffs four times and had a titular triumph in 2016. Furthermore, they ended as the runner up in 2018. SRH has an unbroken run of qualifying in the playoffs since 2016 which is the evidence of their brilliant consistency.

The “Orange Army” has made some brilliant investments in overseas top-order batsmen and has the explosive left-hander David Warner at the top alongside a limited-over specialist Jonny Bairstow to start their proceedings. They have occupied the services of some commendable young talents in Virat Singh and Priyam Garg, who solidify their middle-order around the much experienced Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey.

SRH has arguably the most decorated column of all-rounders having the likes of Vijay Shankar, Mitchell Marsh, Fabien Allen, and Mohammad Nabi, all of whom can very well chip in in the settings of UAE. The most exciting of all is Rashid Khan, who is certainly going to make it count in the torrid conditions of UAE. He’s someone who causes serious troubles on tracks not having much for spinners, so one need not guess what havoc he will wreck getting help from the wicket.

The tracks there mostly lack bounce and have similar offerings to the sub-continental tracks. Hence, the pacers need to hit the deck much harder to generate bounce, and that’s where Billy Stanlake can make use of his tall height. SRH also has Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has been extremely consistent in contributing to the team. The overall impression of the team makes it a fit for the playoff berth.

4. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo:Susheel Prajapati )

The choice for the fourth spot will be tensed between RCB and KKR, however, the RCB might just pip them and the others to make their way inside. RCB has been runner up thrice out of their 5 playoff appearances in the history of the league.

Getting most of their bases covered in the last auction, RCB looks balanced and a side with a good blend of experience and youth. They have made a good investment in Devdutt Padikkal and it will be interesting to observe how he fares in the IPL. With the flamboyant Aaron Finch at the top and Parthiv Patel, RCB has a left-right hand opening combination.

None of the three prominent grounds- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah- are known to have too fast outfields. Therefore, batsmen who rely more on timing, and not power, find it hard to get into their rhythm. And that is where the omnipotent and one-for-the-ages duo of the mighty Virat Kohli and ABD will step in. Their middle-order looks settled in the presence of all-rounders Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, and particularly Moeen Ali, who can contribute equally well with the ball.

In terms of the bowling unit, those who can exploit the slowness of the tracks to their favour the most will be Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar. There is great diversity and a variety of options for skipper Kohli in Isuru Udana, Kane Richardson, Umesh Yadav, and Navdeep Saini. Topping it off with the lethality of Dale Steyn, a brilliant bowling unit becomes complete. By a cursory look at their squad, RCB appears to be in serious contention for the playoffs this year.