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IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 Teams that would Qualify for the Playoffs

Shubham Khare
By Shubham Khare
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IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 Teams that would Qualify for the Playoffs
IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 Teams that would Qualify for the Playoffs

#2 Chennai Super Kings

IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 teams that would qualify for the playoffs
Image Source: Suresh Raina/ Instagram

Amongst all the 8 franchises, the Chennai Super Kings seem to be the most troubled ones. A number of players and support staff were tested positive for Covid-19. Then, the most consistent performer Suresh Raina returned back to India citing personal reasons. Harbhajan Singh followed Raina and the two Indian giants will not be available for the franchise this year.

However, the Super Kings have always emerged from troubles and shone like the Kings. They were banned for a couple of years and were called daddy’s army on their return in 2018 when most of the players were aging over 30. But the Men in Yellow proved everyone wrong and won the tournament. The next year, CSK made it to the final and almost won the league again.

MS Dhoni recently announced his retirement from international cricket which ended all the speculations of his comeback to the national side. What this means is that the 39-year-old would be free from stress from that front. He would be able to play freely and the team needs his now more than ever in the absence of the two veterans.

Looking at the opening combination, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis provide solidity at the top. Now that Raina isn’t there, Ambati Rayudu might bat at No.3, followed by Dhoni at 4. Then, the 3 players to follow could bat interchangeably at any spot. With Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dwayne Bravo, the team would always be confident of a strong finish.

Mitchell Santner could be another useful spinner given he can control the flow of runs and be useful with the bat. But the franchise might go with Imran Tahir for the starters. Piyush Chawla or Karn Sharma could play as the extra spinner if the conditions permit. Deepak Chahar and Shardul would be the regular Indian pacers in the team.

So, the team possesses enough strength on all fronts. The Dhoni-led team has made it to the playoffs every time it has featured in the league. In 2014, they had won 4 out of 5 matches in the UAE leg. Once again, the 3-time champions would be one of the favorites to finish in the top 4.

Best XI of Chennai Super Kings

Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C & wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir/Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Piyush Chawla

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It's finally here. The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to begin on 19th September with the defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings. After all the troubles that the game of cricket suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after the baby steps that cricket took to come back, it's time for the biggest carnival of franchise cricket. Keep reading to find out Predicted 4 Teams that would Qualify for the Playoffs The league is arriving 5 months post the original schedule. But the cricket fans are rejoicing with the fact that the league is returning even if it is late and would be without the spectators. However, the game needs to get going in the new normal. This is the third time IPL is being held outside India and the second time to be held in the UAE. The whole scenario of the tournament now changes with the league being played outside India. The teams, that preferred playing in the batting-friendly conditions of the Indians surfaces, will now have to change the dynamics of the team in the expected slow conditions. Because of that, the favorites to make it to the playoffs have also changed. Let's find out Prediction for the 4 Teams that would Qualify for the Playoffs of IPL 2020.

Here are the 4 teams that could make it to the playoffs

#1 Sunrisers Hyderabad

IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 teams that would qualify for the playoffs
Image Source: Kane Williamson/ Instagram
One of the most consistent franchises in the league in the last 5 years is Sunrisers Hyderabad. They possess enough strength in all 3 departments to beat any team on a given day. The champions of the 2016 edition would be one of the favorites to finish in the top 4 because of several reasons. The biggest reason is the opening pair of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. This has to be the most explosive opening combination amongst all the 8 teams. Both Warner and Bairstow can launch from ball one and take the game away from the opposition in the powerplay itself. Then, they have one of the best batsmen in the world - Kane Williamson. But due to the restriction of the 4 overseas players, it's quite possible that he might have to sit out. It could be a toss-up between him and Mohammad Nabi. The Afghan veteran has plenty of experience of playing on these kinds of pitches and he can be handy with his off-spin as well. If Williamson plays, he could be the No.3 and if Nabi plays, Nabi could play the role of a finisher. In the middle-order, Manish Pandey is reliable for the shortest format. Vijay Shankar could be a handy all-rounder and Abhishek Sharma could be a pinch hitter at the end of the innings. Rashid Khan has been one of the most vital players for SRH. Even though he didn't taste that much success in the recent Caribbean Premier League, SRH would still depend on him on bigger grounds and helpful conditions. Another spinner who could play a big role is Shahbaz Nadeem. On grounds like Abu Dhani and Dubai, the left-arm spinners could prove to be the wicket-takers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an absolute giant of the game when it comes to bowling with both new and old ball. In Khaleel Ahmed and Siddharth Kaul, they have two good young Indian pacers. But both would need to bowl with a lot of variations or this could be the only weak link. In the backup, the team has Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Marsh, Fabien Allen as the overseas players. But they would need their top 13 players to perform consistently throughout the tournament as they may not find a lot of strength on the bench.

Best XI of Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Kane Williamson/Mohammad Nabi, Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Shahbaz Nadeem, Siddharth Kaul

#2 Chennai Super Kings

IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 teams that would qualify for the playoffs
Image Source: Suresh Raina/ Instagram
Amongst all the 8 franchises, the Chennai Super Kings seem to be the most troubled ones. A number of players and support staff were tested positive for Covid-19. Then, the most consistent performer Suresh Raina returned back to India citing personal reasons. Harbhajan Singh followed Raina and the two Indian giants will not be available for the franchise this year. However, the Super Kings have always emerged from troubles and shone like the Kings. They were banned for a couple of years and were called daddy's army on their return in 2018 when most of the players were aging over 30. But the Men in Yellow proved everyone wrong and won the tournament. The next year, CSK made it to the final and almost won the league again. MS Dhoni recently announced his retirement from international cricket which ended all the speculations of his comeback to the national side. What this means is that the 39-year-old would be free from stress from that front. He would be able to play freely and the team needs his now more than ever in the absence of the two veterans. Looking at the opening combination, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis provide solidity at the top. Now that Raina isn't there, Ambati Rayudu might bat at No.3, followed by Dhoni at 4. Then, the 3 players to follow could bat interchangeably at any spot. With Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dwayne Bravo, the team would always be confident of a strong finish. Mitchell Santner could be another useful spinner given he can control the flow of runs and be useful with the bat. But the franchise might go with Imran Tahir for the starters. Piyush Chawla or Karn Sharma could play as the extra spinner if the conditions permit. Deepak Chahar and Shardul would be the regular Indian pacers in the team. So, the team possesses enough strength on all fronts. The Dhoni-led team has made it to the playoffs every time it has featured in the league. In 2014, they had won 4 out of 5 matches in the UAE leg. Once again, the 3-time champions would be one of the favorites to finish in the top 4.

Best XI of Chennai Super Kings

Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C & wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir/Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Piyush Chawla

#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore

IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 teams that would qualify for the playoffs
Image Source: Virat Kohli/ Instagram
This might sound surprising to a few people but Royal Challengers Bangalore do have a very good chance of making it to the playoffs this year. The batting has never been an issue for them over the years. They have amassed high scores consistently. This year also, they have a very good batting line-up that almost ensures big totals again. The addition of Aaron Finch might do wonders for the team. They earlier had Chris Gayle at the top and Finch would play a similar role for RCB. But Finch has been leading the Australian white ball team for quite some time. So, he brings experience and would certainly be a part of the leadership group. RCB would want to go with the exciting prospect of Devdutt Paddikal to open along with Finch. To follow the openers is the dream pair of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. This is where the core of RCB's batting lies. When these two bats together, there isn't a more pleasing sight on a cricket field. There have been talks of AB keeping wickets this year which would allow Paddikal to open. If AB doesn't keep, Parthiv Patel would come in for Paddikal and there isn't any other spot than opening where Parthiv could bat. Then, the 3 all-rounders Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, and Washington Sundar provide strength to the line-up. While Dube might not bowl his full quota of overs every time, Morris and Sundar would consistently be the frontline bowlers. Morris would play a very important role as he can strike the long sixes at the death. He bowls well during the slog overs too. Yuzvendra Chahal would be the leader of the bowling attack as he has been in the last few years. One aspect where the franchise has suffered the most is death bowling. The pacers just haven't been able to defend the good work done by the bowlers. But this year, this might change, Navdeep Saini has emerged as a very good speedster. Umesh Yadav brings in pace and experience. Dale Steyn would be monitored closely and if he doesn't shape up well, Isuru Udana is also a good option for his change-ups. The batting unit is as strong as ever. If the bowlers stand up and support the batsmen, this could be the season to remember for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Best XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore

Aaron Finch, Devdutt Paddikal, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn/Isuru Udana

#4 Mumbai Indians

IPL 2020 Prediction: Predicting the 4 teams that would qualify for the playoffs
Image Source: Rahul Chahar/ Instagram
The defending champions, the 4-time champions, the franchise to win the league the most number of times, Mumbai Indians have been the team of the league in the 12 editions. They have won 4 of the last 7 tournaments and have been the most consistent side. There is a general trend that they don't do well in the even years and win the league in the odd years. That's a trend which is hard to explain but they would be the ones who would be the most inspired to change that. Leave behind the trend and the Mumbai Indians have the squad to take them not only to the playoffs but also to their fifth title. To start with, they have Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma whose pair is being termed as the dream opening pair. De Kock's batting has gone to another level in the last couple of years. Rohit hasn't had the most fruitful last couple of IPL seasons. But if he clicks, just imagine how many games he would win for his team on his own. Chris Lynn is also in the squad this year. But he had a poor CPL season recently. So, the Australian might not be in the reckoning in the XI for the first few games. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan would be the two Indian batsmen in the middle order. Amongst all the franchises, no other team has a better finishing unit than Mumbai Indians. Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pollard, and Hardik Pandya are a deadly trio for the death overs. Pollard was the Player of the Tournament in the CPL and won the tournament leading his franchise Trinbago Knight Riders. He was also bowling well there and picked up 4 wickets in the final. So, he adds to the many bowling options for the team along with the Pandya brothers. Rahul Chahar did well as the spinner last year. He would play a crucial role on slow surfaces. Jasprit Bumrah is the best of the lot in the format and the franchise is blessed to have him at any point in the innings. Lasith Malinga isn't there for the team this season. But there's Trent Boult to back him up. Because of the strong Indian contingent, Mumbai Indians have the luxury of playing an extra overseas fast bowler. The extra seamer could be anyone of James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, or Mitchell McClenaghan. Mumbai Indians have all the bases covered and no other team looks more balanced than them. In the past, they have known to be slow starters. When the league was played the last time in UAE, they had lost all the 5 games. But that's all in the past. A fresh beginning could see them emerge having another dominant season.

Best XI of Mumbai Indians

Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, James Pattinson/Nathan Coulter-Nile/Mitchell McClenaghan Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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