The 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to be commencing in less than a week’s time and the teams have already started formulating plans and strategies for the 2020 edition. Each of the 8 IPL franchises will rely on their core players to shoulder the responsibility and lead the team to win games from crucial encounters.
On Sunday, BCCI revealed the schedule for IPL 2020 and according to that, the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will be locking horns with last season’s runner-ups Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener of the 13th edition. The second match will be played in Dubai on September 20 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), followed by the opening clashes of Sunirsisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on September 21.
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However, they will also look to some crucial players in every time who can make a massive difference for them this season. While cricket is certainly a team game, some cricketers have the ability to turn the match on its head with its capability itself.
Let’s have a look at some game-changing players from SRH and RCB franchises for IPL 2020.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL 2020)
Virat Singh
The young Virat Singh went on to amass as many as 335 runs in 7 games for Jharkhand during the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also scored 342 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy. The Sunrisers have one of the most dangerous top orders in IPL 2020. However, their middle-order issues have been unresolved over the last couple of editions and the addition of Virat can be a huge boost for the franchise.
Priyam Garg
The India U-19 captain, Priyam Garg, who led the boys in blue in the final of the World Cup earlier this year made his T20 debut for UP in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Clearly starstruck by all his accolades, the Sunrisers Hyderabad wasted no time in shelling out ₹1.9 crores for the youngster. In his maiden Ranji trophy season, Garg amassed 814 runs followed by 539 runs in 15 List A matches, including a century. Apparently, he even caught the eye of former India captain Rahul Dravid.
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Being only 19-years old, Garg’s career is just taking off, and a berth in a team of SRH’s caliber will surely be the stepping stone for his launch him up into stardom. In all possibilities, Priyam Garg has the potential to be a game-changer and a valuable asset to the Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2020.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL 2020)
Josh Philippe
Josh Philippe is a name that many cricketing fans have been hearing for quite some time now. He witnessed a phenomenal run in BBL9 where he was the third-highest run-scorer with 487 runs at 37.46. Even in the final against Melbourne Stars, he had amassed 52 off 29 and was adjudged the man of the match for Sydney Sixers.
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Philippe has received his maiden call-up into the senior Australia side that will be traveling to England in the early phase of September for a limited-overs tour. It would be unfair to deem Philippe’s sale to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in this IPL auction anything less than a bargain. as he was bought for just ₹20 lakhs.
Devdutt Padikkal
The Karnatak batsmen will be expected to make his IPL debut in 2020, owing to his heroics in the domestic circuit. The 19-year old Padikkal will be roaring to announce his arrival in the RCB squad and will be sharing dressing-room with none other than the RCB captain – Virat Kohli.
However, a lot of players in the past have failed to deliver to the promise they had shown in junior cricket, and therefore, it will be really interesting to see if this talented youngster will be able to match-up with the expectations as has been set by his fans.
