5 dream trade-offs before IPL 2020 

Even though the next season of the Indian Premier League is months away, the franchises have started to chalk out the road map for the tournament. In the first trade of IPL 2020, Mumbai Indians traded Mayank Markande with Delhi Capitals for the hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford.

Markande was one of the finds of IPL 2018 but had a rather underwhelming season in 2019, where he lost his place in the side to another budding leggie Rahul Chahar. On the other hand, Rutherford did show glimpses of his talent but failed to play any substantial innings for the Capitals.

Few more teams can follow the footsteps of Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals and might look to change a few things around by bringing in fresh faces and releasing the under-performers of the last season. Moreover, due to the desired combinations and the capping of only 4 overseas players in the playing XI, some players often remain underutilized. Teams would look to release such surplus players and get in players who can help them to overcome their shortcomings of the last season.

Here are 5 players who might be transferred to other teams before IPL 2020.

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#5 Shivam Dube to Mumbai Indians

Shivam Dube

There was a lot of buzz around Shivam Dube before IPL 2019. The Mumbai all-rounder had earned a name for himself with his big-hitting batting and was expected to set the stage on fire for Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, it wasn't to be as Dube struggled to get going for RCB. He scored just 40 runs in 4 games and failed to pick up any wicket.

RCB might opt to release Dube ahead of the next season. Mumbai Indians bid aggressively for the local lad at the last auction before losing out narrowly to RCB. The defending champions will certainly consider getting the youngster in the MI fold if he is released by his current franchise. Dube has been in good form playing for India A in the recent past and will be a much more confident player by the next season.

#4 Karun Nair to Sunrisers Hyderabad

Karun Nair (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

After a promising start to his international career, Karun Nair's career has gone haywire. He lost his place in the Indian Test side in a controversial fashion and it seems to have affected his IPL career too.

Nair was once a hot property in IPL and even captained Delhi Daredevils in a few matches. He then got a new home in 2018 when he was roped in by Kings XI Punjab. Nair played 13 games in 2018 and scored over 300 runs for the Kings, but unfortunately, with the inclusion of likes of Nicholas Pooran and Mandeep Singh in the side, he got only a single outing in 2019.

Sunrisers Hyderabad might be interested in someone like Nair in their team. SRH have struggled with their Indian batting options and can get in Nair to provide some stability to their troublesome middle-order.

#3 David Miller to Royal Challengers Bangalore

David Miller (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

David Miller is among the few players who have represented only one team in their IPL careers and there's a reason for that. 'Killer Miller', as he is famously known, has played some stunning knocks for Kings XI Punjab, winning them matches single-handedly batting in the lower-middle order. Having said that, he hasn't been at his belligerent best in the last few years.

The 30-year-old has played just 13 games for the Kings in the last two years and can lose his place in the side. His services might be welcomed by a team like RCB. RCB was clearly lacking the muscle in the batting department last season. The team's over-dependence on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers cost them quite a few matches.

Miller will be the perfect addition to the Bangalore franchise as his presence in the lower-order will give much more freedom and relaxation to Kohli and de Villiers.

#2 Lockie Ferguson to Chennai Super Kings

Lockie Ferguson (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Chennai Super Kings suffered a couple of major blows even before the start of the season, owing to the injury of Lungi Ngidi and unavailability of David Willey. They struggled to cope with the dearth of overseas fast bowlers throughout the season. If CSK have learnt any lessons from last season's mistakes, they will strengthen their pace-attack. The one player who can beef up their fast-bowling resources is New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson.

Ferguson had a forgettable IPL 2019 where he managed to pick only 2 wickets in 5 games while giving away runs at 10.76 runs per over. However, the 28-year-old gave a good account of his bowling prowess in the World Cup 2019. He was simply brilliant for the Black Caps and ended with 21 wickets in 9 matches. Ferguson troubled the batsmen with his raw pace.

He has previously played with CSK skipper MS Dhoni for Rising Pune Supergiants. Also, CSK's Kiwi coach Stephen Fleming would surely know a thing or two about Ferguson's abilities.

#1 Carlos Brathwaite to Kings XI Punjab

Carlos Brathwaite (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Carlos Brathwaite has been a bit of an underachiever in IPL cricket. After announcing himself at the international stage by hitting Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes in the T20 finals, Brathwaite hasn't been able to live up to expectations. The West Indies T20 skipper averages less than 14 with the bat in 16 IPL games. He has fared better with the ball picking up 13 scalps.

Brathwaite was bought at a hefty amount of ₹5 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders at last year's auction. Unfortunately, with the likes of Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell in the team, Brathwaite warmed the bench for most parts of the tournament and got to play just two games.

Kings XI Punjab, who had bid heavily for Brathwaite at last year's auction, are in desperate need of an all-rounder. Sam Curran did provide some spark to the Kings in IPL 2019 but was not consistent. Thus, Brathwaite might be under the Kings' radar for IPL 2020.