IPL 2020: Three Players Who Struggled Last Year Could Make A Strong Comeback This Season

Just four weeks are remaining before the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 13 kicks off. The whole cricketing fraternity is gearing up to witness the most high profile, Twenty20 league, in the world. IPL 2020 begins on March 29th, and it will go on until 24th May, with the final slated to be played in Mumbai’s historic Wankhede Stadium.

The first match will be played between last year’s finalists Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Since there’s not long left in the tournament, franchises and players have already begun preparations to put up their best show.

With the new season drawing close, many players will be hoping for a fresh start, including those who were unable to stamp their authority in the league last season.

Many high profile players struggled last year, but some of them could stage a comeback in IPL 2020.

Here are our top three picks who struggled last year but could have a big impact in IPL 2020:

3) Prithvi Shaw

Former India Under-19 skipper Prithvi Shaw is widely regarded as the future of India’s batting. In his breakthrough season in the IPL 2018, the 20-year-old could play just nine matches but an impressive return of 245 runs meant he was then retained by the Delhi Capitals (DC).

However, Shaw got ample opportunities last year, as he played 16 matches throughout the campaign but could score just 353 runs at an average of 22.06, which is why the youngster will hope to fare better this time around.

The right-handed opener recently made his debut for Team India and while he hasn’t set the world alight, Shaw will look to score runs more consistently and cement his place in the national team.

2) Jaydev Unadkat

Looking back at the last three seasons of the IPL, Jaydev Unadkat has been in the news consistently.

In IPL 2017, he scalped 24 wickets, which prompted Rajasthan Royals (RR) to snap him up for a big fee of INR 11.50 crores. Since then, the 28-year-old has failed to deliver on the initial promise.

In 2018, Unadkat picked up just 11 wickets and was subsequently released by the Royals, although they roped him in on a much lower fee, later. The left-arm pacer struggled last season eventually managing just 10 wickets and he was released again.

Although, Rajasthan got him back on board once again in IPL 2020 auction, on a bargain price of INR 3 crore, therefore, Unadkat will have to start proving his mettle.

1) Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is renowned as one of the fab four cricketers of the modern game, alongside Joe Root, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith.

The Kiwis skipper had an underwhelming IPL last season, by his lofty standards, and he will look to set the stage on fire in IPL 2020.

Williamson played just nine matches last term and hence he could score a paltry 156 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Overall the 29-year-old has played 41 IPL matches scoring 1302 runs at a healthy average of 39, with his strike rate just north of 135.

The right-handed batsman was recently replaced by David Warner as Sunrisers’ skipper, which should give Williamson further motivation to wreak havoc on bowlers in the IPL 2020.