IPL 2019: Here is how each team can deal with the exodus of overseas players

With almost two-thirds of the season completed, we are fast approaching the final phase of IPL 2019. With none of the qualifying spots confirmed as yet, things are getting interesting in the IPL, with all the teams still being in the fray for the playoffs. The franchises will be going into the final phase without some of their key players as the dreaded exodus of overseas players, chiefly from England, Australia and South Africa, has begun. Englishman Jos Buttler flew home last week for the birth of his child and will not return to play for the Rajasthan Royals, while his team-mates Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are due to leave India to join the England squad for the series against Pakistan before the World Cup.

The Australian players will be leaving shortly for the pre-World Cup training camp in Brisbane, while the South African contingent of Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Quinton de Kock, and Imran Tahir are expected to depart India in the next week or ten days.

So who will replace these big names? Let us find out.

#1 Sunrisers Hyderabad

SRH would be greatly affected by the departure of David Warner.

The runners-up from last year are placed at the fourth position in the points table. Sunrisers Hyderabad will be badly hit by the exodus of English/Australian players. Jonny Bairstow, who has been in splendid form, will no longer play a part in this year’s campaign as he has left for England. His opening partner and current Orange Cap holder David Warner will be available for only two more matches. They can replace Bairstow at the top with Martin Guptill, who hasn’t played a game this year. But for that they would need to drop an Indian player to accommodate a wicketkeeper, with Wriddhiman Saha likely to come into the playing XI. Kane Williamson may slot in for the Warner, who will depart soon. Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan are likely to fill the remaining two slots of overseas players.

#2 Delhi Capitals

Rabada can be replaced by Kiwi Trent Boult.

Delhi Capitals are sitting pretty in the second position in the points table. They will be affected by the departure of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Rabada has been sensational for the Capitals this year and is currently the Purple Cap holder. However, it would not be that big a concern as Delhi have an able replacement in the form of Trent Boult. The Kiwi is more than capable of taking the baton from Rabada.

#3 Mumbai Indians

De Kock can be replaced by Evin Lewis.

Quinton de Kock is set to leave the three-time IPL champions for national duties. Mumbai Indians have the explosive West Indian opener Evin Lewis to replace the diminutive South African’s hitting abilities at the top, and can turn to Ishan Kishan to keep wickets. Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff will also be leaving Mumbai. MI's team management can choose from New Zealand quick Mitchell McClenaghan and South African Beuran Hendricks, who was added as a replacement for the injured Alzarri Joseph.

#4 Kings XI Punjab

Punjab would miss Miller's experience of playing in the IPL.

The only departure for the Kings XI Punjab will be South African middle-order batsman David Miller. The left-hander has blown hot and cold this season but has the experience of playing in the IPL. In his absence, the team management would have to choose between the power hitting of Nicholas Pooran and the all-round abilities of Australian Moises Henriques.

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#5 Rajasthan Royals

Archer has been the

go to

man with the ball for the Royals.

Like the Sunrisers, the Rajasthan Royals would be badly hit by the exodus of players. They will be left crippled by the departure of Buttler, Stokes, Steve Smith and Jofra Archer. All these players form the backbone of the Royals. RR suffered greatly in the playoffs last year after Buttler and Stokes departed. Although they have decent replacements in the form of Ashton Turner, Liam Livingstone, Ish Sodhi and Oshane Thomas, but these players are not on the same level as the departing quartet. Smith is expected to be around for one more week.

#6 Kolkata Knight Riders

Denly was bowled off the very first ball in his only IPL match this year.

The two-time IPL champions are in a bad spot this year, having accumulated just 10 points so far. One good news for the Kolkata Knight Riders is that they will not be affected significantly by the departure of players. The only player KKR are going to lose is Joe Denly, the England allrounder, in the next couple of days. But he hasn’t been a core member of the squad, having played just one game in which he was dismissed for a duck.

#7 Chennai Super Kings

Sam Billings can be a very handy option in the middle overs.

Chennai Super Kings are in a very strong position to qualify for the playoffs. But they will be affected by the departure of their leading wicket-taker Imran Tahir, who has been a great asset for them. South African captain Faf du Plessis will also be leaving the defending champions. CSK can turn to Karn Sharma, who is also a very handy leg-spinner, while Mithcell Santner can provide the big hits down the order as a replacement for Du Plessis.

#8 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Moeen Ali has been in good form of late for RCB.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are placed at the bottom of the points table and have to win all of their remaining matches to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs. However, they would have to accomplish that without their in-form all-rounder Moeen Ali, who will be playing his last game against the Kings XI Punjab tonight. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will also head home for national duties shortly. RCB can replace Stoinis with Kiwi all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, while Shimron Hetmyer can slot in the middle order for the departing Ali.