IPL 2019: The most important player for each team who will determine their success

The game's shortest format is one where individuals performances can determine a large percentage of the game's outcome. This means that a team needs to have players that are game changers rather than just consistent performers.

This way, one player can make all the difference in a team of eleven game changers on their night. IPL 2019 is going to be a highlight of the early part of next year, and one where every team will look towards these game changers to turn their fortunes.

The successes, or failures, of these players, are likely to determine the final outcome. So here they are, the most important players for each team, whose performances will be a huge factor in determining the performance of their respective teams.

1) Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah

Batting has never been an issue for Mumbai and a big reason behind their success in winning three IPL trophies. However, what has been a chink in an otherwise solid armour is their bowling, considering that the IPL tends to be a high-scoring tournament where the batsmen are more comfortable than the bowlers.

This is what makes death bowling so important in the IPL considering how close many matches get. This is what makes Jasprit Bumrah the most vital player for the Mumbai Indians, whose death bowling in an invaluable asset.

Bumrah's record in the IPL is quite impressive, and one of the main reasons he was noticed for national selection. From 14 games he played this year, he took 17 wickets but most importantly at an economy rate of 6.88, which is quite phenomenal considering 200 is a common score in the IPL. And he has been getting better each year.

The evolution of Bumrah is a story in itself

2) Delhi Daredevils: Rishabh Pant

He might look ugly while playing, but Pant can sure pack a punch

Even with the addition of Dhawan, Pant looks set to be the middle-order power that the Daredevils have always lacked. With newfound confidence from national selection, Pant will be key to make impact contributions

He showcased his talent last season and even struck a phenomenal hundred against RCB that comprised of some stunning striking. Although he looked out of balance on quite a few occasions, his teammates weren't complaining as it came off.

In fact, he scored an impressive 684 runs from 14 games at a monstrous strike rate of 173.04. And an average of over 50 shows that he isn't just a boom-or-bust player, but a consistent one. He even had 5 fifties to boast along with that phenomenal hundred. And his consistency has even found a way to be consistent while maintaining a superb strike-rate.

The evolution of Rishabh is another fascinating story

3) Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

He was simply sensational during IPL 2018

While he may have been axed from the Indian T20 set up amongst hushed rumours, MS Dhoni was quite a force in the IPL 2018.

From being critiqued for playing too slowly, Dhoni surprised everyone with his stunning average of 75.83 at a strike rate of 150.66. He even hit a total of 30 sixes that comprised of 55% of his boundaries, meaning he hit more sixes than fours!

Apart from his batting and wicketkeeping skills, Dhoni obviously has a lot to offer: guiding spinners, setting fields and taking pressure off the young bowlers. And the T20 game demands cool heads and that is where captain cool wins out.

Dhoni may even have surprised himself in IPL 2018

4) Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Williamson

The most classical T20 batsman currently

T20 batting is difficult because as a batsman you are trying to innovate and play unconventional shots to get runs, knowing the fact that you are taking huge risks. This is the very reason why there are so many average T20 batsmen because while their ball-striking ability cannot be denied, the risks often get the better of them.

But this isn't the case with Kane Williamson, who relies on conventional cricketing shots and still someone manages to get runs at a healthy strike rate. This is evident through his first big year at the IPL in 2018, where he gathered 735 runs with a strike rate of 144.42 while still maintaining a superb average of 52.50.

With other young guns like Manish Pandey and Deepak Hooda, Williamson is going to somewhat act as a glue at the crease with the others taking risks around him. The success of the Sunrisers thus heavily depends on Williamson, who knows how to tackle pressure with his experience and composure.

5) Royal Challengers Bangalore: Yuzvendra Chahal

Where most bowlers struggle and sweat, Chahal relishes the short boundaries

The Chinnaswamy is a small cricket ground. A really small cricket ground. And we have seen for a large part of the IPL why batsmen love batting here because even mishits go for maximums. This is a graveyard for most bowlers whose pace is used against them to allow the batsmen to score freely. However, Yuzvendra Chahal has somehow found an incredible way to control runs in this tiny ground, while bowling at really low speeds.

This is why Chahal has been at the centre of RCB's bowling core in the last few years. With a bunch of variations like a slower wrong'un and the wide leg-spinner, Chahal has found a way to pick up wickets while not giving away too many runs either. In IPL 2018, Chahal bowled with a phenomenal economy rate of 7.26, picking 12 wickets in 14 games.

If RCB's batsman can get it right this time, Chahal's contribution will be pivotal in RCB's campaign to lift their maiden title.

Chahal's IPL experience is what has got him into the national team

6) Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler

Buttler's reverse laps are a sight to behold

Buttler was without a shadow of doubt Rajasthan's standout player in IPL 2018, where he accumulated 548 runs at an average of 54.80. Most importantly, however, these runs came at an impressive strike rate of 155.24. And Buttler isn't certainly a boom-or-bust type of player, but rather one that is extremely consistent as is displayed by the fact that he got 5 50s in the tournament.

Besides, the Royals' lineup doesn't feature anyone who is experienced and explosive up the order. Rahane and Smith are quite classical, Samson is young and inexperienced and Stokes usually bats down the order. The value of a quick start during the powerplay overs in T20 cricket in order to make use of the fielding restrictions is huge, and Buttler is exactly the man for that.

If Buttler gets Rajasthan off to a quick start, then batsmen like Rahane can take some time to settle in and then play the big shots - something they are better at than going boom from ball one.

7) Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul

KL Rahul knows how to make an impact without taking risks

Why Lokesh Rahul isn't yet a superstar is quite baffling. He is one player who has the temperament and technique to be an all-format player, and T20s are one format where he has definitely shown his abilities.

The IPL 2018 was a superb tournament for Rahul, who hit 659 runs at a stellar average of 54.91 (strike rate of 158.41), playing for an otherwise lacklustre side in Kings XI Punjab. Even Chris Gayle's one-off acts were mere spectators to Rahul's explosive consistency.

Starting well during the powerplay overs is pivotal for IPL success, and Rahul's performance is important to give the Kings XI a quick start to build on. The beauty about Rahul is that he takes very few risks aerially, while still maintaining a 150+ strike rate, making him score big runs consistently.

Being able to maintain a healthy strike rate without taking risks is a special ability

8) Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine

Narine's

all-round

contributions will be key for KKR

The Knight Riders rejuvenated Narine's batting exploits in 2018 by allowing him to open the innings. And boy did he respond. 357 runs at a strike rate of 189.89.

While he may have only averaged 22, the benefit of a quick start overrides everything else. With even more big hitters in the team like Andre Russel and Chris Lynn, KKR wouldn't mind losing an early wicket to take the pressure off those to follow. And it's even better for Narine, who walks in with zero expectations. If he doesn't do well, he's just a bowler, but when he does, it's a bonus.

Narine's bowling is also crucial for KKR, as has been the case for many years. In 2018, he picked 17 wickets from 16 games at an economy rate of 7.65. Such is the impact of his all-around game that KKR's success depends on his performances.

KKR have got the best out of Narine the batsman