IPL 2020: 1 underrated all-rounder from each team who could win the MVP award

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is just over a week away, all 8 teams are in intense preparation for the tournament.

All-rounders are vital to any team's success in any format, and the IPL is no different. With multi-faceted cricketers lending balance and options, franchises make it a point to target high-profile all-rounders in every auction.

In this article, we attempt to name one 'underrated' all-rounder from each team who could win the MVP award. For obvious reasons, the big names such as Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have been excluded.

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#8 Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag is one of RR"s brightest young talents

Riyan Parag is one of the Rajasthan Royals' (RR) brightest young talents, and after 7 promising games in IPL 2019, he is set to play a much bigger role for the franchise. The young mystery spinner has scored 160 runs in the IPL, as has picked up 2 wickets.

Due to Ben Stokes reportedly missing a major part of the IPL and the fact that most of RR's other spin options are leg-spinners, Parag could feature heavily for the side.

The 18-year-old has long been touted for big things, and his skill-set is perfectly suited to the IPL. Parag could finally have a career-defining IPL season, and is even a dark horse for the MVP award.

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#7 Kings XI Punjab - Krishnappa Gowtham

K Gowtham could shine under KL Rahul at KXIP

Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham made a name for himself as a big hitter and an accurate bowler during his time at RR, but wasn't quite consistent enough with his performances in both departments. And under his state teammate KL Rahul at the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), he could truly be unleashed on the IPL.

Gowtham is part of a threadbare KXIP spin attack that features Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and young Indian leggie Ravi Bishnoi, and he is all set to feature in all games for the team in IPL 2020. Opposition batsmen will look to take him on, giving him an excellent chance of picking up wickerts.

Another criticism that can be levelled at the KXIP team is their weak middle order, and Gowtham might find himself in the middle far more often that his team would like him to. The 31-year-old might even be used as a pinch-hitter, and he has an outside chance of contesting for the MVP award.

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#6 Delhi Capitals - Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis will play for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020

Marcus Stoinis is part of an extremely strong Delhi Capitals (DC) side for IPL 2020, and he could fit perfectly into Shreyas Iyer's side. DC have a highly strong Indian contingent, and the only thing they lack is a quality pace-bowling all-rounder due to the departure of Chris Morris.

Stoinis could fix that exact problem for DC. The Australian was in sparkling form earlier this year in the Big Bash League, and his bowling style that relies on cutters will fetch him wickets in the UAE. He could turn out to be a very shrewd signing on DC's part, and he is in with a real shot to claim the MVP award.

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#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is in blistering form at the moment

It is a bit of a stretch to call Mohammad Nabi underrated at the moment, given his sparkling performances in the Caribbean Premier League. However, the all-rounder has never quite gotten his due at the Sunrisers Hyderabad, perhaps due to the presence of Shakib Al Hasan.

With the Bangladesh man out of the IPL 2020 picture, Nabi is set to play a key role for SRH alongside his national teammate Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan veteran is an excellent powerplay bowler, and can strike a few lusty blows as well. With SRH having a weak middle order (Kane Williamson might find himself on the bench), he could be given a promotion due to his experience and obvious skill.

Nabi could finally be recognised for his consistent performances with the MVP award in IPL 2020.

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#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana might have to contribute in both departments in IPL 2020

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) decided to release veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, and replaced him with mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. The Tamil Nadu man has bowled only 3 overs in his IPL career so far, and KKR might not trust him enough to be a full-time spin option.

And that's where Nitish Rana might come into play, from an all-rounder perspective. He is guaranteed to play almost all games for KKR, and will slot in at either No. 3 or No. 4. The Delhi batsman has shown that he can contribute with the ball in the past, and has 3 IPL wickets to his name.

With only two spin options - Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav - expected to be in the KKR playing XI, Rana could be given more than a few overs. He could seriously have a breakthrough season and contend for the IPL 2020 MVP award.

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#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar's game might add depth and versatility to RCB's playing XI in IPL 2020

One of the striking features of the RCB squad is its balance, and the main reason for this is the presence of many all-rounders. Among these all-rounders is Washington Sundar, whose skill-set and style of play may be perfectly suited to RCB's needs in the UAE.

His accurate powerplay bowling could ensure that lead spinner Yuzvendra Chahal isn't wasted early in the innings, while his handy batting could stretch RCB's weak middle order out a bit.

Sundar might be overshadowed by the likes of Chris Morris and Shivam Dube as far as the all-rounders department goes, but he really could shine in IPL 2020. The Tamil Nadu man could even contend for the MVP award.

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#2 Chennai Super Kings - Sam Curran

Sam Curran adds variety to the CSK bowling attack

Much like Sundar, Sam Curran might be overshadowed by his more illustrious Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates - Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja. But the Englishman is primed to have a breakthrough IPL season, considering the depth and variety he adds to the team's lineup.

Being a left-armer and a swing bowler, Curran could partner Deepak Chahar with the new ball. In the absence of vice-captain Suresh Raina, the young southpaw could also be promoted up the order, with his strokeplay often having caught the eye at the international level.

Curran seems like a very smart signing, and he is in with a real shot to claim the MVP award.

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#1 Mumbai Indians - Krunal Pandya

Krunal will be vital for MI in IPL 2020

We all know how good an all-rounder Krunal Pandya is, but what we might not realise is just how valuable he is to the Mumbai Indians (MI) setup. The Baroda man is expected to be one of two front-line spinners in IPL 2020, and on the spin-friendly UAE tracks, he will have to contribute heavily.

Krunal will also have a lot of work to do with the bat, and his contributions towards the ends of innings will be as vital to the MI cause as those of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard. The left-arm spinner is a quality player, and he seriously mount a challenge for the IPL 2020 MVP award.