The introduction of a new IPL team next year would offer a fresh lease of life to plenty of cricketers. Considering the growth of cricketing standards in India, many talents are being left wanting for chances in every IPL. While that is the problem for the Indians, the overseas stars have difficulties of their own. The four-foreigner-rule and the changing pitch conditions meant even established international players have to warm the bench often.
Now, if a new franchisee comes in, at least eleven players would be guaranteed an opportunity. A few more guys would lie on the fringes of the starting XI. Of course, the new team would aim for a proper XI, but if you take the players who warmed the bench in IPL 2020, you could still get a strong side. We analyze this proposition in the below words.
Openers: Parthiv Patel (WK) and Chris Lynn
These two guys, despite their experience, couldn’t get a single chance this season. We can’t blame anyone here as the preferred players in the XI were doing well to deny an entry of these two cricketers. However, if there were to be a new team, this duo can form a good opening partnership. While Lynn is a naturally attacking batsman, Parthiv can play both ways and would complement the Aussie very well. The Indian international would also serve the wicket-keeping duties for this XI.
Middle-Order: Karun Nair, David Miller (C), and Virat Singh
Karun Nair played the initial games but later failed to get a chance in IPL 2020. However, considering that he is a class player, teams might still be interested in the Karnataka player despite his bad form. He plays at No.3 for this team.
David Miller is a sort of an IPL veteran, and it was anyway expected that he would play very few games this season. He had to beat the competition of Steve Smith, and Jos Buttler, something that looked very unlikely. The South African is our pick to captain this squad due to his T20 experience.
It was surprising that SRH did not use Virat Singh despite their failing middle-order. Virat is a growing cricketer and is highly rated in the domestic circuit. He will be on the wishlist if any new franchise gets introduced.
All-Rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Keemo Paul, and Pawan Negi
Mohammad Nabi’s absence for the majority of IPL 2020 was understandable. Team balance did not allow him to be part of the XI. However, he would make a good signing for other teams looking for an all-rounder. The same is the case with Keemo Paul, who was not used at all by Delhi Capitals. He would act as the pace-bowling all-rounder in this XI. Pawan Negi was not used by RCB despite playing on pitches that assisted spin. Negi still has plenty of potential to improve, and a change of team could help him. For teams coming into the competition, he could come in very handy.
Bowlers: Mayank Markhande, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed
It is unfortunate that Mayank Markhande did not play in IPL 2020, despite being in one of the squads. On other occasions, he would have easily made it to the playing XI of a few other franchises. Any new franchise will surely target him.
The emergence of T Natarajan limited Khaleel Ahmed’s chances this edition. However, Khaleel is a talented bowler and will get his chances in the future. For his experience with the Indian Team, he would get to lead the bowling unit of this squad. Amongst other Indian pacers who warmed the bench, Avesh Khan seems to be the guy with the most potential. Hence, he comes into this squad as well.
