IPL 2020: Predicting four overseas players who should start for each franchise

Kings XI Punjab

The reconstructed Punjab side is one team that has built a curiosity right from the time of auction. They have made the task master Anil Kumble as their head coach and appointed KL Rahul, the #2 batsman in T20Is as their captain. They also bought Glenn Maxwell, Chris Jordan in the auction that only improved the dynamics of their team.

The overseas players who will start for Punjab will be:
1. Chris Gayle
2. Nicholas Pooran
3. Chris Jordan
4. Sheldon Cottrell/James Neesham

The big-show Glenn Maxwell will miss the 1st match as he would have just finished playing in the New Zealand for a T20I series if he gets picked in the Australian team.

Sun Risers Hyderabad

The former champions will be facing a critical situation ahead of their first game as their captain would have just arrived to India a day back after finishing the T20I series against the Kiwis. Though there isn’t much fuss about the other foreign options available to them as all of their first choice players will be available from the word go.

They will have to make a tough decision about Kane Williamson’s place in the side and it will be interesting to see how the world cup winning coach Trevor Bayliss will approach this scenario.

The 4 overseas spots will be filled by:
1. David Warner
2. Jonny Bairstow
3. Kane Williamson/Mohammad Nabi
4. Rashid Khan

Royal Challengers Bangalore

A complete squad with a shrewdest cricketing brain as their coach in Mike Hesson, RCB fans can keep some real hope on their franchise this time around. They had a very sound auction to start with and has built a well rounded side. They have sorted out their death bowling issues which has been troubling them for ages by roping in Chris Morris who is a reputed death overs specialist along with deceptive Isuru Udana.

Their first choice overseas players will be
1. Aaron Finch
2. Ab de Villiers
3. Chris Morris
4. Dale Steyn

Although the availability of Aaron Finch for their 1st game remains a question mark, they have the in-form Moeen Ali to replace Aaron Finch at the top of the order who can also give some quality overs with the ball.

Kolkata Knight Riders

The dark horses of the IPL have managed to assemble an exciting squad for this edition of IPL. The excitement doubles up with the addition of Brendon McCullum who is the head coach of KKR. The brand of cricket that the Kiwi played over the years is tailor made for the T20 formats and with him at the helm, one can expect some swashbuckling cricket from the Knight riders.

They have plenty of exciting overseas talents but they will start with trusted and loyal players of the franchise
1. Sunil Narine
2. Eoin Morgan
3. Andre Russell
4. Pat Cummins

As the Australia vs New Zealand series would have just ended, the participation of Pat Cummins for the first game remains to be seen. In case of non-availability of Pat Cummins, they have Harry Gurney who is a renowned T20 bowler around the world to replace him.

Delhi Capitals

The Delhi Capitals will be in more than a spot of bother as their all-rounder Chris Woakes has withdrawn from this edition of IPL in order to keep himself fresh ahead of the English summer. Their highest wicket-taker in the last season Kagiso Rabada’s availability has went for a toss after he got injured in the 3rd T20I against Australia 2 weeks ago.

The Indian veteran Ishant Sharma has been confirmed that he won’t take part in the first half of the IPL due to Injury. With an official announcement soon to be made regarding the replacement for Chris Woakes, the 4 foreigners they would look to play at first at the moment will be:
1. Shimron Hetmyer
2. Marcus Stoinis
3. Keemo Paul
4. Kagiso Rabada(Subject to availability) / Sandeep Lamichhane

Rajasthan Royals

The champions of the inaugural edition of the IPL is yet to reach the finals even for once since their triumph in 2008. They will be looking to change their fortunes this season at least, under the able leadership of Steve Smith.

One good thing is they will start their first game 4 days after the start of the IPL, which will give them a good idea of how the teams have shaped and strategize accordingly.

Though Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler would be facing with a jet lag issue as they would have arrived just a day before the start of the Royal’s first game, a travel from Sri Lanka to Chennai shouldn’t be much of a problem for them.

Their premium fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the IPL which will only hamper their chances of winning this season.

The 4 overseas slots will be filled by:
1. Steve Smith
2. Ben Stokes
3. Jos Buttler
4. Tom Curran

The IPL fever has well and truly started and some majestic performances are waiting to greet the cricket fans.

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