AI Based Cricket Prediction
IPL 2020: Team-wise one explosive player for the tournament
Every year, we see fireworks in the form of fours and sixes. Every IPL season is greeted with explosive shots which are hit by explosive players.
by Arvind Kalyana
IPL 2020 is barely a week away. This comes as good news for all cricket fans across the globe and especially Indian fans. The IPL is often regarded as a festival and is probably India’s biggest carnival.
Isn’t fireworks the first word which comes to our mind when we hear the word ‘Carnival’? In fact, it’s the fireworks that put a smile on our face. When it comes to the fireworks, the IPL is never short of it.
Every year, we see fireworks in the form of fours and sixes. Every IPL season is greeted with explosive shots which are hit by explosive players. Every team has an explosive player who can hit the big shots. Today, we shall be taking a look at one explosive player from every team in IPL 2020.
Here’s the list:
1. Chennai Super Kings- MS Dhoni
It is safe to call Dhoni as one of the most explosive Indian players of all time. Every year, CSK fans are greeted with some big MS Dhoni sixes which manage to go out of the stadium. Dhoni is one of the few players who can effortlessly hit fours and sixes.
The former Indian captain has a strike rate of 137.85 in IPL. He has it more 297 fours and 207 sixes. It gets scarier when you realize that he bats in the middle order. Just imagine the destruction Dhoni could do if he comes to bat up the order this season.
MS Dhoni is the most explosive player in CSK by a fair margin. Despite batting at 5 and 6 last season he was their highest run-scorer as well. CSK fans would be hoping that Dhoni can recreate his heroics like last season and give CSK an explosive finish in every match.
2. Mumbai Indians- Kieron Pollard
Pollard has been a pillar for MI over the years. Slogging at will isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, however, Pollard hits sixes for breakfast and can hit them at will. His mistimed shots go out of the stadium. If IPL was the Marvel Universe, then Pollard would definitely be “The Incredible Hulk”.
Just like MS Dhoni, Pollard is his team’s finisher and comes at the end. Despite that, the Caribbean all-rounder has managed to hit 181 fours and 176 sixes. He has a strike rate of 146.78 in IPL.
Pollard will be playing a huge role for MI this season if they are to have a good season this time around. Fortunately, the West Indies’ limited-overs skippers will be entering IPL 2020 with good form. Trinbago Knight Riders won the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 under his leadership. He also won the CPL 2020 player of the tournament award.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore- AB de Villiers
ABD, also nicknamed ‘Mr.360’ can do anything and everything. He also happens to be one of the few players who can hit sixes on any side of the ground. Over the years, ABD has made a name for himself and is one of the most explosive cricketers in the history of the game. When was the last time you saw a batsman reverse sweep a Malinga Yorker for a six? ABD has done that too.
On his day, he can clear any stadium with ease. The South African has hit 212 sixes in his IPL career. He has also scored the 2nd most number of sixes in IPL history. His strike rate in IPL is a whopping 151.24
ABD has been RCB’S greatest overseas player for a long time now. RCB fans would be hoping that he’s at his best this season as well. It would be safe to call De Villiers as one of the most explosive players of IPL. If ABD is at his best this season than this season would be one to remember.
4. Sunrisers Hyderabad- David Warner
Explosive players generally play the role of a finisher. They normally come at 5, 6 and sometimes 4. However this isn’t the case with SRH as the most explosive player is their opener, and that’s their skipper David Warner. David Warner has been their most explosive player ever.
David Warner is one of those few explosive players who gets to bat all the 20 overs. Unlike many sloggers, Warner has been very consistent as well. He has bee the leading run-getter in IPL since 2015. He has a strike rate of a whopping 142.39. He has also hit 180 sixes, most by an SRH player.
SRH heavily depend on Warner. The Australian opener remains their key, like every season. He also has the added responsibility of controlling the SRH innings and thus cannot be reckless. However, this won’t stop him for being explosive as that’s his natural game.
5. Delhi Capitals- Rishabh Pant
Pant has been the backbone for Delhi Capitals since the last couple of years. However, explosiveness runs through his veins and hence the added responsibility doesn’t stop him from hitting the big shots. He has been one of the most aggressive middle-order batsmen in the IPL for quite a while now.
Pant has a strike rate of 162 in the IPL. This speaks volumes of his explosive batting nature. Arguably the most talented Indian player right now, Pant can hit both the spinners as well as the pacers. Pant has scored a hundred batting in the middle order as well.
He will be one of DC’s key players entering the tournament. His aggression in the middle overs will be very important for DC if they are to get to a respectable total. Hence, he is the most explosive player for the Delhi franchise this time around.
6. Kolkata Knight Riders- Andre Russell
Words can’t describe how explosive Russell is. While other finishers hit 10 runs in an over and get satisfied, 10 runs in an over hit by Russell would be considered as a very good over by the opposition bowler. It is safe to call Andre Russell the most explosive player in the history of the league.
He has hit 120 sixes in just 52 IPL innings. His strike rate is 186 in IPL. He has hit the most number of sixes in IPL since 2018. However, Russell is beyond the numbers. The Caribbean giant will be entering IPL 2020 with a lot of expectations.
KKR fans will be hoping to see more entertaining innings from Russell this season. Russell’s explosiveness will be very crucial for the Knight Riders this season as they’d want him to tonk the opposition bowlers all over the ground. Can the MVP of IPL 2019 do it again?
7. Rajasthan Royals- Jos Buttler
Like ABD, even Buttler can hit the big shots all over the ground. England’s limited-overs vice-captain has been RR’s best batsman since 2018. He also managed to be explosive from ball one despite opening the innings for the Royals.
Although Buttler is widely regarded as the greatest finisher of the current era, he has been a very successful opener for RR and hence will be their opener this season as well. Buttler has a strike rate of 150.82. He has hit 61 sixes and 140 fours in 45 IPL matches. He has also been one of the most explosive players in T20 cricket for a long time now.
Rajasthan Royals will heavily depend on Buttler. RR captain Steve Smith even mentioned the fact that Buttler being in good form is good news for RR. Buttler single-handedly carried RR to the playoffs in 2018. He’ll be hoping to repeat his heroics and win matches for the Royals.
8. Kings XI Punjab- KL Rahul
KL Rahul is a rare player who has both, class and brute strength. KL Rahul has been very explosive for KXIP ever since he started playing for them. In fact, he scored the fastest fifty in the history of IPL on his debut for KXIP. He’s someone who can be explosive as well as pleasing to the eye.
KL Rahul has a strike rate of 138 in IPL. He has 176 fours and 81 sixes in his IPL career. Unlike the previous seasons, KXIP have an explosive middle order as well. This should give him the license to strike from ball one without worrying about anything.
He will be leading KXIP this season for the first time. The added responsibility will only make him better as he has been able to perform better, whenever handed more responsibility. We might just be able to see the best of Rahul this season as he doesn’t have the added pressure of playing careful, as KXIP have a strong middle order as mentioned earlier. Hence KL Rahul is one of the most explosive players and will bat aggressively this season.