IPL 2020: 4 ruled out players from last season who can make a big impact this year

Injuries are part and parcel of any sport. And as far as the gentleman's game is concerned, the calendar is hectic for almost all players given the number of matches they play each and every year.

The Indian Premier League is one of the most important tournaments in the calendar year, with players of almost all cricketing nations aiming to earn contracts with one of the eight participating franchises. The players make sure that they are in good shape before a new season of IPL kicks off, so that they are able to give their best for their respective teams.

Unfortunately, several top players have pulled out of the league in its 12-year history due to the injuries sustained either before or during the tournament, much to the disappointment of the franchises and fans. Last season was no different as several players withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.

On that note, let us look at four ruled out players from last season who can be make a big impact for their teams this time.

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4) Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn

Despite finding no buyers at the 2019 auction with a base price of INR 1.5 crore, Dale Steyn returned to the IPL last season as a replacement for the injured Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile at his former franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 'Speed gun' produced an immediate impact in his first game, against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, with two big dismissals (Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill).

The South African pacer maintained the momentum in the next fixture against three-time winners Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, finishing with figures of 2/29 in four overs which included the crucial wickets of Shane Watson and Suresh Raina. Unfortunately, he didn't turn out for RCB after that game, getting ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.

The 36-year-old, who was the highest wicket-taker for Cape Town Blitz (third overall) during 2019-20 Mzansi Super League with 15 scalps to his name, was once again bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore at his base price of INR 2 crore during the 2020 IPL auction.

The immensely experienced Steyn will be hoping to replicate his magic with Virat Kohli's men at IPL 2020.

3) Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy

Kolkata Knight Riders' love for mystery spinners continued with the franchise going all-out to sign Varun Chakravarthy at the 2020 IPL auction.

The 28-year-old shot into the limelight with his economical bowling (recording an economy of just 4.70 in 10 matches) during Siechem Madurai Panther's victorious 2018 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) campaign. He then grabbed the headlines at the 2019 IPL auction when Kings XI Punjab shelled out whopping INR 8.4 crore for him.

The Knight Riders, who bid up to INR 8.2 crore before backing out last year, managed to secure the services of the Bidar-born spinner for INR 4 crore at the 2020 IPL auction after an intense bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

It was surprising to see Varun acquiring a lucrative contract once again given the fact that he managed just one appearance last year. His IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (1-35 in three overs) turned out to be his last appearance of 2019 IPL as he was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a finger injury.

With Chris Green banned from bowling due to an illegal action, Pravin Tambe ineligible to play 2020 IPL and Kuldeep Yadav failing to prove his worth last season, Varun's role at KKR might end up being crucial.

2) Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel took the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by storm with his all-round exploits, finishing the tournament with 374 runs and 19 wickets to his name. The Haryana skipper, who is one of the best pace bowling all-rounders in the Indian domestic circuit, is a valuable commodity especially when it comes to limited-overs, given his big-hitting abilities and useful right-arm medium spells.

With 287 runs and 51 wickets, the Sanand-born player is having a fantastic 2019-20 Ranji Trophy campaign. After spending six seasons with Royal Challengers Bangalore, he was bought by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) at his base price of INR 20 lakh at the 2018 IPL auction.

Though he was retained for 2019 IPL, Harshal managed just two appearances for the Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals side during season 12 before being ruled out of the entire season due to a right hand fracture. Karnataka's slow left-arm orthodox bowler Jagadeesha Suchith was roped in as his replacement for the rest of the season.

Delhi Capitals retaining Harshal for 2020 IPL shows the trust that the franchise has in the player. And if he can replicate his current form in season 13, then the franchise might be well served!

1) Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi was Chennai Super Kings' pace spearhead during the side's victorious 2018 IPL campaign, where he picked up 11 wickets at an impressive economy of just 6. Death bowling was one of the major issues for MS Dhoni's men last year, as they made it to the summit clash before falling to arch-rivals Mumbai Indians by the narrowest margin of one run.

Though Deepak Chahar did well throughout the season, Shardul Thakur (E/R 9.36) and Dwayne Bravo (E/R 8.01) couldn't live up to the expectations in the death-overs. Despite Imran Tahir winning the Purple Cap for finishing the season as the highest wicket-taker with 26 scalps to his name, the Chennai Super Kings pace attack minus Ngidi wasn't too effective.

The 23-year-old, who was ruled out of the entire season due to a side strain, was replaced by Kiwi all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn. Though the Men in Yellow have bolstered their pace department by roping in Josh Hazlewood for 2020 IPL, Ngidi's return to Chepauk is highly anticipated given his bowling credentials and the kind of impact he can create.