10 Marquee Cricketers Who Are Likely To Miss The Initial Phase Of IPL 2020

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to go ahead with the cricketers and fans waiting for it to commence. After plenty of speculation surrounding it, the BCCI managed to find a way to make it happen, albeit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). If not, the Indian Board would have suffered enormous monetary losses. But for BCCI fortunately and fans’ entertainment, the 13th edition will go ahead.

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While there is exhilaration encapsulating the marquee tournament, there is increasing uncertainty too due to the COVID-19 pandemic lingering. The deferred dates for the matches have created plenty of upheavals for all the cricketing boards regarding their schedules. With a few countries still under lockdown and owing to some international commitments, a handful of big draws could miss the initial part of it, scheduled to start from the 19th of September.

We take a look at ten marquee cricketers who are likely to miss the initial part of the tournament:

Ab de Villiers:

Ab de Villiers has been associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore for a long time and is one of their crucial middle-order cricketers. He retired from international cricket in May 2018; however, continues to feature in the T20 leagues around the globe. The IPL is one of the tournaments where the fans get to witness his exploits.

In 154 IPL games, the 36-year old has 4395 runs at 39.95 while maintaining a strike rate of 151.24. However, with South Africa currently under lockdown and international flights suspended, the BCCI will struggle flying him out of his nation soon. That would also impact Virat Kohli’s side, which is yet to lift their maiden IPL title.

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Kagiso Rabada:

Kagiso Rabada is arguably one of the greatest fast bowlers and played a massive part for Delhi Capitals last time. With the new ball and in death overs, Kagiso Rabada not only controls the run flow but also assist in picking wickets. He first played in IPL in 2017 and has remained with the Delhi Capitals then.

In the last season, the 25-year old picked up 25 scalps in 12 matches and has 31 wickets so far in 18 IPL games. Nevertheless, like De Villiers, he could also miss the first part of the 2020 season. South Africa has witnessed a spike in the COVID-19 cases that has forced their government to impose lockdown and suspend international flights for the time being.

David Warner:

David Warner will return to the leadership position for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this year after two years. Warner is one of the leading cricketers for the franchise and has an exemplary record as captain, guiding the franchise to the title in 2016. With the bat, he has 4706 runs in 126 games.

The southpaw averages a healthy 43.17 in 126 games, striking at 142.39 alongside four centuries. Nevertheless, the IPL dates are likely to clash with the limited-overs leg of Australia and England, slated to take place in England. While the dates for the tour are yet to get confirmed since David Warner is sure to be part of the series, he will miss the initial stage.

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Steve Smith:

Steve Smith will lead the Rajasthan Royals in the forthcoming season, having reappointed as the skipper midway last season. While Steve Smith is not the slam-bang batsman, he is a gritty player and skilled hitter, proficient in finding gaps.

In 81 matches, he has 2022 runs while maintaining a strike rate of 128.95. The New South Wales batsman also has an IPL century and eight fifties in the tournament. The former Australian captain will likely miss the initial phase of the IPL, owing to the limited-overs series in England.

Pat Cummins:

Australia’s Pat Cummins became the highest-earned player this season, fetching a record-breaking INR 15.5 crores by the Kolkata Knight Riders. So far, Pat Cummins has played only 16 IPL games from which he has taken 17 wickets at 29.35 apiece.

Cummins possess the pace, skill, and will likely take the new ball for the team. However, he will most likely join the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner for the white-ball series in England.

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Glenn Maxwell:

One of the most fearsome strikers of the ball, Glenn Maxwell will ply his trade for the Kings XI Punjab on this occasion. While he has not been at his best in the last few seasons, one could be optimistic since the tournament will take place in the UAE this time. It was in the UAE in the initial phase of the 2014 season that Maxwell shone.

In 68 matches, the Victorian has 1397 runs at 22.90, striking at 161.3. With Glenn Maxwell likely to get the nod for the English limited-overs leg, Kings XI Punjab will have to manage without him for the initial phase.

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Jos Buttler:

England’s Jos Buttler will take the field for the Rajasthan Royals under the leadership of Steve Smith. Buttler earned a reputation as a swashbuckling and a consistent opening batsman since 2018, an edition in which he accumulated a tally of 548 runs.

In 45 matches, the 29-year old has 1386 runs at 35.54 with a strike rate of 35.54. Alongside the likes of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer, the keeper-batsman is a key overseas player. However, with the Australian tour looming, he would likely miss the initial phase of the IPL.

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Ben Stokes:

Ben Stokes is one of the other cricketers in the Rajasthan Royals’ ranks, who could be hugely influential to their chances. Stokes possesses a penchant for turning any game on its head with the bat or ball and even on the field. The 28-year old bagged the player of the tournament in 2017, which was his first edition.

The World Cup-winning player has been very crucial to England’s chances in the limited-overs format. With the Australian team set to visit England, the English selectors will, without doubt, prefer for the all-rounder to remain in the squad. Hence, the 2008 champions will have to do for the initial part without the Kiwi-born player.

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Jofra Archer:

IPL was one of the tournaments, which gave Jofra Archer plenty of recognition. In 21 matches for Rajasthan Royals since 2018, the 25-year old has 26 wickets at 23.69 while maintaining an economy rate of 7.53. Archer will likely headline Rajasthan Royals’ inexperienced bowling attack.

Jofra Archer, who played a vital role for England in the 2019 World Cup, will most likely find himself in the squad for the Australia series. Hence, Rajasthan might have to do without the Barbadian for the initial phase of the IPL.

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Eoin Morgan:

Kolkata Knight Riders’ secured Eoin Morgan’s services for a sum of INR 5.25 crores ahead of the upcoming season. Eoin Morgan has transformed the fortunes of English One-day team largely, guiding them to their first World Cup win in 2019. So far he has played for four franchises in Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In 52 matches, he has only 854 runs, which is far lower by his standards. However, with Dinesh Karthik being an inexperienced captain, Morgan would be a useful addition for him. Nevertheless, Australia’s limited-overs leg would not allow him to take part in the initial phase of the competition.

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