Brad Hogg Names His Top-4 Picks Who Could Make It To IPL 2020 Playoffs

Brad Hogg, former Australian World Cup-winning leg spinner, has picked his top-4 sides who he thinks are likely to make to the playoffs in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League [IPL].

The 13th season of the Indian Premier League is all set to take place in the United Arab Emirates between September 19-November 10 and just like the start of any other season, pundits have started predicting the favorites to win the tournament as well their top-4 picks for the playoffs.

According to Brad Hogg, Chennai Super Kings, after having lost the services of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, could struggle this season and they may have to compete with the Delhi Capitals for the fourth spot. Hogg feels that if Kagiso Rabada plays the whole tournament, Delhi Capitals are in with a great chance of once again making it into the top-4.

”If you look at the teams now, CSK has lost two quality players. Raina might get back there but it might be a liitle bit too late. So, CSK have got their problems with their older brigade, their most experienced campaigners. I think it leaves a hole for them.” Brad Hogg said on his official Youtube channel.

”They are going to be pushing to get into the No.4 spot. It is either going to be CSK at No.4 or the Delhi Capitals. They don’t have any injury and if Rabada plays the whole tournament, they have a big chance of getting into the top four.” he added.

The former leg-spinner then went on to pick his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders at the No.3 spot. Hogg believes that the duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell could prove to be the game-changers for the Knights.

”Definitely coming in at No.3 is Kolkata Knight Riders. I think they have got a very good balanced team. They have got someone like a Narine there who is very adaptable with the bat. He can open, bat in the middle or at the death. So someone as adaptable as that who can sacrifice his wicket in the batting order and with his bowling gives so much depth and then you have Andre Russell. They are the two keys there.”

Brad Hogg predicts RCB and MI to be the top-two sides in IPL 2020

Virat Kohli-led RCB has been abysmal in the past three seasons of the IPL. They have finished at the last spot in two out of the past three seasons but Brad Hogg thinks the revamp in the backroom staff and the appointment of players like Aaron Finch could pave way for the Challengers to finish at the second spot in the points table.

RCB will come in at No.2 on the ladder. I just think their coaching staff this year is more balanced, a little bit more laid-back. That will relax the players a lot more and you will see them perform at their best. Plus Virat Kohli is going to have a standout year and Aaron Finch as well.” Hogg said.

Hogg picked the numero-uno spot for the defending champions Mumbai Indians, who he hailed as the side which has got almost every base covered.

Mumbai Indians at No.1. They have got all bases covered. They have got elegant batsmen at the top who can bat through the innings. They have the power hitters in Hardik Pandya, Pollard and Krunal Pandya in the middle and those players are also quality all-rounders who can bowl a few overs as well. And then when you look at their bowling lineup, they have got their spin and pace covered and they have good depth in their squad.” he added.

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