Top 4 probable IPL 2020 teams to qualify for the play-offs

Top 4 probable IPL teams to qualify for the play-offs 

IPL is set to start from 19th September in UAE. The preparations are in full-fledge. Most teams have started to assemble together to fly from India to UAE. Teams and experts have started to make strategies by analyzing their (team’s) strengths and weakness. The top 4 teams which could possibly win this year’s title are as follows.

Mumbai Indians (MI):
Rohit Sharma led side Mumbai Indians has been the most successful team of IPL. It is no surprise that they will be in the top 4 positions. Rohit Sharma as a captain has led the team really well. He has remained calm and composed during pressure situations.

The biggest advantage and strength of the team is that they have retained a strong Indian core with the likes of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, JaspritBumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma. This gives the luxury for the skipper to rotate with 4 overseas players and keep the core players constant. The adding of Chris Lynn and Trent Boult will provide the much-needed balance in the team.

Although, the laws of averages don’t go in their favor. Mumbai Indians have won only in the odd years i.e 2013,2015,2017 and 2019. This year being 2020 could not be the year for MI. However, they are very strong to be in the top-4. Hopefully, we could see Mumbai Indians break the trend of winning in odd years and win the title for the fifth time.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

A team full of emotions and experience, the Chennai Super Kings have always been at the top-4 position in every season they play. MS Dhoni as a captain has helped players in the team to be responsible and not leave it with others to finish matches. The average age in CSK is 30+ years which is the maximum compared to other teams in IPL. The unconditional love of the fans and popularity gain has been the main reason for CSK in winning 3 IPL titles.  However, this season they will be missing their fan’s support.

The pitch at Chepauk is ideal for spinners but now when the IPL is pushed to UAE, all the pitches of UAE will suit the spinners. This increases the chance of CSK to grab yet another IPL title.

Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH):

Sunrises Hyderabad team had won then inaugural IPL title against RCB in 2016. Since then they haven’t looked back. They have been in the top 4 positions of the points table for the past 4 years.  There is a possibility that even this year they will remain in the top-4 position or even win it.

This year, the Sunrises Hyderabad have changed their captain from Kane Willamson to David Warner. Records and stats show that Kane Willamson has been a better captain but since David Warner had already led the team to victory in 2016, the franchise has decided to switch back to Warner.

Their biggest strength over the years has been defending small totals. Their death bowling attack has been key for their success in recent years.

SRH top-order batsmen David Warner and Jonny Bairstow have been destructive with the bat in the previous season but their weakness has been the finishing. They have lacked the middle order and lower middle-order batsmen who could control the game in case if the top-order collapses and also provide firepower in the end.

Royal Challengers Banglore:

Virat Kohli’s led side, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be favorites to qualify for the playoffs this year. Experts and cricket fans predict that this IPL we might see a new champion. RCB  are often tagged as chokers. The expectations by the fans and experts have always been high but they have disappointed their fans for the past three years.

However, RCB has the advantage of playing at UAE.  The UAE grounds being large in comparison with the grounds in India will help the spinners when they flight the ball. Yuzi Chahal, Pawan Negi, and Moeen Ali will exploit these conditions well.

The RCB batting department has also marginally improved. The addition of Arron Finch and Jos Phillipe will provide enough fire-power in the team along with Virat Kohli and AB De Villers. If RCB manages to control the runs in death overs, take wickets at regular intervals and score big runs there is a high possibility that we might see a new winner.