3 teams most likely to finish bottom in IPL 2020

Just 20 days are left before the start of the world's most popular T20 league and teams are hoping to better their previous performances. Alike every year, many teams were highly active in the auction roping in some big stars for big bucks.

While teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings went through the auction with a calm, calculated approach, there were teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) who roped in some big names for huge sums of money. KKR broke the previous record for most expensive foreign signing when they bid INR 15.5 crores for Aussie pacer Pat Cummins.

Preity Zinta co-owned KXIP acquired the services of their former star Glenn Maxwell for INR 10.75 crores and they also went big for Sheldon Cotrell who was signed for INR 8.5 crores. The aftermath of the auction has left some team looking very strong to lift this year's IPL trophy while some team looks rather weak.

With that in mind, let's have a look at the three teams that are most likely to finish bottom in this year's IPL.

#3 Kolkata Knight Riders

Bench strength is weak for Kolkata Knight Riders

Despite being one of the most active franchises in the auction this term, Kolkata Knight Riders look one of the most out of depth teams on paper. The team has a marvelous batting line-up including the likes of Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Nitish Rana, and Shubman Gill, but their season could turn into an absolute nightmare if one or two of these players get injured.

Also see – IPL 2020 time table

Kolkata's first-team looks more than capable of beating any franchise but their bench is one of the weakest. Letting go Chris Lynn could come back to haunt them. Adding more to their worries is the fact that just like last year, the team could very well be dependent on Andre Russell if two or three of their batsmen fail to pick up their form.

Also read | IPL 2020: 3 teams which are most likely to win the tournament

#2 Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals didn't have a very good season last year

Rajasthan Royals (RR) has managed to collect a quite decent team but their problems lie within the squad. The Royals acquired the services of certain big-name players in Robin Uthappa, Andrew Tye, Oshane Thomas, David Miller, and Tom Curran at this year's auction.

While they look strong from the outside, that doesn't always turn up into performance.

The Royals only needed to fix their slow middle-order and they failed to do so. David Miller is one of the most inconsistent players. The likes of Steve Smith and Robin Uthappa aren't particularly known for their hard-hitting abilities and to add up to that, the franchise also traded Ajinkya Rahane to Delhi Capitals (DC).

Adding up to their worries, the franchise won't be able to rely on the likes of Jos Buttler and Steve Smith in the starting phase of the tournament due to thier international commitments, while they might have lost last season's start performer Jofra Archer to injury for the entirety of the IPL.

#Note: Views are that of the author and not that of Sportskeeda's

#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB has still have leftover problems from last year

The Bangalore based franchise has a formidable first team including the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Aaron Finch on their roster but when analysed closely, the team looks off-balance.

The team's bowling department itself looks thin on experience having the likes of Mohammed Sirah, Pawan Negi, and Navdeep Saini in its arsenal. Although Dale Steyn is an experienced quality pacer, it's no hidden fact that he has been quite inconsistent in previous editions of the tournament.

RCB's batting looks sorted but their bowling could be a serious concern as it has been previously. While retaining Moeen Ali was a good decision, forking out INR 10 crores for an inconsistent all-rounder in Chris Morris looks a panic buy. The South African has lost his form for the past two years and hardly adds anything to RCB's line-up either with the bat or bowl.

If Virat Kohli led Bangalore has to change their fortunes, the team must gel together and their young inexperienced bowling has to rise up to the challenge. Otherwise, it could turn out to be the same old story for them.