There are some big names, Chris Gayle and boss Imran Tahir among them, who have played few or no games so far in this IPL. But there is actually a strong logic for neglecting some of them. We have focused on five players who we think would make tactical sense for their teams to give it a go.
Ishan Porel, Kings XI Punjab
Porel, a 22-year-old fast bowler who can shoot over 140 km / h, burst onto the scene at the 2018 U19 World Cup. Since then, he has impressed for Bengal, taking 16 pitches in 14 games over two seasons in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and helping Bengal reach the Ranji Thophy final in 2019-20 with 23 wickets in six games. There was reason to believe that he could be one of the biggest stars of this IPL, and when KXIP had serious problems with their death bowls, it seemed reasonable that they would try. Instead they looked to left arm closer Arshdeep Singh and scion Mujeeb-ur-Rahman to fix the problem. Having scored just two points from seven games, Kings XI may want to think about putting Porel in their XI.
Tom Banton, Knights Riders of Kolkata
Kolkata Knight Riders spent Rs 1 crore (approximately US $ 140,000) on Banton, an aggressive starter made for T20, but it took them seven games to deliver his IPL debut. Banton became a sought-after commodity after the 2019 Vitality Blast, in which he scored 549 runs with 161.47, which included a 51-ball century. His powerful strokes and innovation have also been shown internationally – he broke 137 runs in three games with a 153.93 hit rate against Pakistan this summer.
The Knight Riders persisted with Sunil Narine as a starter early in the tournament, and then eventually pushed Rahul Tripathi up there with Narine dropping to No. 4. It was surprising, however, that they did not consider bringing in Banton, considering all his foreign players from big names – Narine, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins and Eoin Morgan – have been disappointed this season. Only once Narine was included on the warning list after her action was reported did Knight Riders play Banton in her place. Narine is still eligible to bowling, but the Knight Riders should consider sticking with Banton, even if it’s at Morgan, Cummins or Russell’s expense.
Mayank Markande, Royals of Rajasthan
Markande, a 22-year-old, had an excellent first IPL season, winning 15 wickets for the Mumbai Indians in 2018. After struggling to get playing time last season, he was released and found a home in the Rajasthan. Royals. It didn’t seem likely that Markande would get a game initially, as the Royals have Shreyas Gopal, who has been one of the league’s best wristbands in recent seasons, as well as Rahul Tewatia, the all-rounder who bowls. However, Gopal has endured a difficult season: he has taken only four wickets in seven games and left at 9.00. While it seemed unlikely at the start of the season, Markande for Gopal could be a trade the Royals, who are currently sixth on the points table, could make.
Virat Singh, Hyderabad Sunrises
Middle order has been the Sunrisers’ weakness since the start of the season. Kane Williamson has helped improve it to some extent, but it is necessary to keep improving. One man they have yet to test is Virat Singh, a 22-year-old left-handed hitter who attacks. Singh was Jharkhand’s top scorer in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and posted his runs at 142.32.
So far, the Sunrisers have consistently picked Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma in the middle order. Garg showed promise with a fifty against the Chennai Super Kings, and Sharma adds value with his spin. However, there is a third slot available. The Sunrisers started with Vijay Shankar and after trying Abdul Samad for a few games they have returned to Shankar. If they bring Singh in, they could hit him as high as No. 3, which would add another southpaw to the first order and also allow Manish Pandey, who is striving for consistency, to drop to the role of runner-up at No. 5.
Jason Holder, Sunrisers Hyderabad
It’s hard for the Sunrisers to find a place overseas for Holder as David Warner and Rashid Khan are must-picks and Williamson and Jonny Bairstow have played big shots this season. However, where Holder, who came in as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Marsh, could add value is adding some depth to the bowling and also playing the role of hitter with the bat. After Marsh was injured, the Sunrisers decided to play only four true bowlers and make up the rest of the overs with half-time spinners. Against the Super Kings, they played five bowls, but that meant a long tail, with Rashid hitting at No. 7. Holder could do the job of hitting at No. 7 and exceed his four overs for not too many. It will mean having to leave Williamson, who has been an important part of the middle order, or Bairstow, who had a tremendous 2019 season but is scoring 129.03 this season.
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