Published on: Aug 10, 2020 3:26 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 10, 2020 3:26 pm IST
With the announcement of the new schedule of the IPL 2020, there has been a lot of excitement among the cricket fans around the globe. The IPL is undoubtedly the most followed T20 competition worldwide and there is more hype than ever around the competition due to the ongoing global pandemic. The BCCI has shifted IPL 2020 – the marquee tournament to UAE but many prominent names are still bound to miss the early phase of the competition. Let’s take a look:
AB de Villiers
Arguably the most followed and loved foreign cricketer in India, AB de Villiers is slated to miss the early part of the competition. Although he doesn’t play international cricket now, the South African government has banned international flights in the country until the end of September. It would be a huge loss for RCB who are searching for their maiden IPL title.
Kagiso Rabada
Another South African cricketer who has become an absolute favourite of the Delhi Capitals fans owing to his super bowling for the franchise in the last couple of seasons. Rabada is one of the main reasons behind the rise of Delhi Capitals in the last couple of editions of the IPL. He picked up 25 wickets in 12 games during the last season for DC. He also is likely to miss the early phase of the IPL 202 due to the travel ban imposed by the South African government till 30th September.
David Warner
David Warner is a household name among the cricket fans and one of the most loved Australian cricketer in India. The left-handed explosive opener is the skipper for Sunrisers Hyderabad and their most reliable batsman as well. His numbers for SRH speak for themselves as the southpaw has scored 3271 runs for the franchise in 71 games at an average of more than 55 and at a strike rate of 146.87. As per the tentative schedule, the dates of IPL could clash with Australia’s tour of England. Warner is a crucial part of the Australian set-up and he would miss the early phase of the IPL 2020 in such a case.
Steve Smith
Another Australian in the list Steve Smith could also miss out the early phase of the IPL 2020 if Australia tour of England goes ahead as per the tentative schedule. He is the skipper of Rajasthan Royals and the Royals are set to lose big if Smith misses the early phase of the competition.
Pat Cummins
Most expensive player of the season, Pat Cummins would also tour with the Australian side if the English tour goes ahead with the plan. He was bought by KKR for a record fee this season and it would be a huge loss for them if Cummins misses the early phase of the IPL 2020. Cummins is an asset for KKR and he would likely to handle the new ball for them.
Glenn Maxwell
The explosive Australian all-rounder is set to return to Kings XI Punjab this season. He made his name in the IPL playing for the Kings XI during the UAE leg only in 2014 season. The Punjab-based franchise would be hoping for a repeat from their ‘Sher’ once again. However, Maxwell is likely to miss the initial phase of the IPL 2020 due to the proposed England tour.
Jos Buttler
Buttler has earned himself quite a reputation opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals in 2019 season. He one of the key members of the Royals’ setup alongside Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer. However, the wicket-keeper batsman could sit out of some matches in the early part of the IPL 2020 if Australia visits England as planned.
Ben Stokes
The one-man army – Ben Stokes would be a huge loss for Rajasthan Royals if Australia tour of England collided with the initial stage of the IPL 2020. It could practically make or break RR’s season as they heavily rely on their overseas stars. The Kiwi-born all-rounder has the ability to win the game single-handedly and he currently is on the peak of his powers.
Jofra Archer
The fate of Rajasthan Royals and another English player would depend on England-Australia series. Archer became the bowling leader of the Royals in the last edition. The pacer clinched 26 wickets during the last season at an economy rate of 7.53. It could be a season-hampering loss for RR if Jofra Arches misses the early stage of the IPL 2020 edition.
Eoin Morgan
The English skipper in the limited-over format – Eoin Morgan was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the franchise has to manage without him during the early phase in the IPL 2020 owing to Morgan’s national team commitments. He would be a crucial member for inexperienced KKR side and they would have to cope-up without him if Australia-England series collides with the IPL.