IPL 2020: 5 dark horses who could win the MVP award for the first time

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is just around the corner, and teams are already preparing for the tournament with training camps in full swing.

---

The MVP award in the IPL

7⃣ sixes and 1⃣ four! 🔥🔥As @msdhoni retires from international cricket, let’s rewind the clock and witness the @ChennaiIPL skipper’s 3⃣4⃣-ball 7⃣0⃣*-run match-winning blitz from the #IPL2018. 👏🎥

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) August 16, 2020

The MVP award is calculated using a unique points system - fours are 2.5 points; sixes and wickets are 3.5 points each; a dot ball bowled is 1 point; catches and stumpings are 2.5 points each.

In the history of the IPL, three players have managed to win the award twice - Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Shane Watson. Apart from these usual suspects, we take a look at 5 dark horses who could win the MVP award.

---

#5 KL Rahul

We could see leadership elevate KL Rahul's game to the next level

KL Rahul was recently announced as the captain of the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), and has been among the best Indian batsmen in the IPL over the past few years. He could see leadership elevate his game to another level, much like the previous Indians who were given a captaincy role in the tournament such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Rahul seems to have a calm head on his shoulders and will lead a host of young, upcoming talent. The faith that the Indian team has shown him in the recent past, with the management deciding to make him the first-choice wicket-keeper in the limited-overs formats, will also give him confidence ahead of the IPL.

With 1,252 runs in the last two editions of the IPL, the Karnataka man could take KXIP deep into the tournament. Rahul will have to undertake much of the responsibility and the presence of the destructive Chris Gayle at the other end will take some of the pressure off him.

---

#4 Moeen Ali

Mo Ali could see the UAE conditions play into his hands

In an RCB lineup that looks far from strong on paper, Moeen Ali will have to shoulder much of the responsibility in the middle order.

The likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Aaron Finch make up yet another formidable RCB top order, but the team lacks batsmen who can step up the ante in the latter stages of the innings, and the Englishman could come into play.

Ali will also be a handful in the UAE conditions, and his accuracy will be lethal on pitches that generate plenty of turn. With the MVP award historically dominated by all-rounders, he could emerge as a contender for the accolade.

Ali is only 16 games into his IPL career but he has had his moments, most notably his stunning assault on Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The off-spinner's economy rate is below 7 and he has notched up 3 fifties, and this could be his breakthrough season in the IPL.

---

#3 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni was CSK's leading run-scorer in the 2019 IPL

MS Dhoni sent the cricketing fraternity into shock when he announced international retirement, but the positive side of the decision is that he will come into this IPL with a sense of freedom. The former Indian captain is one of the most destructive batsmen the world has ever seen, and his India bow could see the old, aggressive MS Dhoni return.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain was his team's leading run-scorer in the 2019 IPL, and his ability to hit boundaries and clear the ropes at will will help him rack up MVP points. Moreover, with his team expected to play three full-time spinners, Dhoni could add to his stumpings tally.

After a heartbreaking loss in the 2019 final, CSK would be keen on winning their 4th IPL title and they will need their captain to be at his best.

---

#2 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell has insane numbers in the UAE

Glenn Maxwell is expected to miss the first week of the IPL owing to his international commitments, but could still make a run for the MVP award.

The Australian has an excellent record in the UAE, and has scored more runs (300) than any other batsman. Maxwell also has hit the most sixes, notched up the most fifties and registered the highest individual score in IPL matches played in the UAE.

Moreover, the 31-year-old's handy off-spin will be crucial in this year's IPL, and could play more than a part-time role in an inexperienced KXIP spin attack. Maxwell even spoke about his love affair with the venues recently, saying:

“The conditions seem to suit me. The grounds are big so there are a lot of open spaces, there’s something about the ground that really suits my eye, there’s not a lot of bounce, when you find grounds like that, you start to get on a run. It’s where I had my debut series with Australia in 2012 and ever since I’ve had a love affair."

---

#1 Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya finished 17th in the MVP rankings last season

Mumbai Indians (MI) star Krunal Pandya is perhaps overshadowed by his more illustrious colleagues Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, but he is one of his team's most important players. He has been ever-present for MI over the past 4 IPL seasons, and has played 55 games for Rohit Sharma's side.

Although his returns of 891 runs and 40 wickets aren't exactly eye-catching, his role in the team cannot be understated. Krunal is always tasked with bowling at important stages of the innings, and is expected to get a move on while batting at the death. The left-arm spinner also mans the boundary throughout the innings, making him the ideal MVP candidate.

Krunal finished 17th in the MVP rankings last IPL season, and could move up many places in the UAE as he attempts to sneak into India's squad for the T20 World Cup.