IPL 2020: 5 trade window signings who might warm the bench this season

The 2020 IPL trading window witnessed some of the high-profile transfers. While Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals traded their respective skippers Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane to Delhi Capitals, the Shreyas Iyer-led franchise traded one of its star players - Kiwi pacer Trent Boult, to Mumbai Indians. It remains to be seen as to how these big guns will be performing for their respective new franchises this year.

South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock and Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan were the top performers among the players traded during 2019 IPL trading window whereas Marcus Stonis and Vijay Shankar failed to make an impact upon being traded. The 2020 IPL trading window for which the deadline was set as November 14th, 2019 saw several players switching teams apart from the top players like Ashwin, Rahane, and Boult. Given the squad combinations, these players might not get a chance to don the jerseys of their new franchises during 2020 IPL. On that note, let us look at five trade window signings who might warm the bench this season.

#1 Dhawal Kulkarni

It will be a return to the Wankhede Stadium for Dhawal Kulkarni who began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians. The right-arm medium-fast bowler represented Mumbai for six seasons (2008-2013) before moving to Rajasthan Royals in 2014. Since the Jaipur-based franchise was handed a two-year ban from the IPL, the 31-year old moved to the now-defunct Gujarat Lions after his two-year stint with the Royals.

Kulkarni who produced a memorable performance (18 wickets) for Suresh Raina's men was one of the vital cogs in his side's successful 2016 IPL campaign where they topped the league table before finishing third having lost both Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 respectively. After a disappointing outing in the following season for Gujarat Lions, the experienced Mumbaikar returned to Rajasthan Royals ahead of season eleven after the 2008 IPL winners used right-to-match (RTM) to secure his services for INR 75 lakh at the auction.

Owing to a poor outing (10 wickets in 18 matches across 2018 and 2019 IPL at economies of 9.47 and 9.57 respectively), he was traded to Mumbai Indians during 2020 IPL trading window. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai has got several proven overseas pacers (Lasith Malinga, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, and Nathan Coulter-Nile) besides all-rounder Hardik Pandya to bolster the pace attack. With Bumrah and Pandya being the natural choices, it might be difficult for Dhawal Kulkarni to feature in the almost settled Mumbai Indians XI this season.

#Note: All statistics are as of March 11, 2020

#2 Jagadeesha Suchith

Suchith who began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians represented the franchise for two seasons (2015 and 2016). Though he had a decent outing during Mumbai's 2015 title-winning campaign in which he picked up 10 wickets, his fortunes changed in the following edition as he managed just one appearance throughout season nine. The slow left-arm orthodox bowler who represents Karnataka in the domestic circuit, returned to the IPL last year despite finding no buyers at 2019 IPL auction as the Delhi Capitals signed him as a replacement to the injured all-rounder Harshal Patel.

Though the Chennai Super Kings won the contest by 80 runs, the 26-year old ended up as the chief tormentor with the ball in the only game he played for Shreyas Iyer's men last season having finished with the figures of 2/28 in four overs at Chepauk. Having signed Ravichandran Ashwin during the trading window, the Delhi Capitals traded Suchith to Kings XI Punjab apart from paying the Mohali-based franchise a sum of INR 1.5 crores. With several Indian spinners already in the ranks (Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Harpreet Brar, Deepak Hooda), it will be tough for Suchith who hasn't made much of an impact in the IPL to feature in Punjab's XI.

#3 Siddesh Lad

Despite being a part of the Mumbai Indians squad from 2015-2019, Siddesh Lad made just one IPL appearance during his five-year stint. Mumbai's star-studded batting line-up made it difficult for him to prove his worth by finding a spot in the XI. He finally made his IPL debut last season as skipper Rohit Sharma was surprisingly ruled out for the home fixture against Kings XI Punjab due to an injury. Lad who opened the batting for Mumbai alongside Quinton de Kock managed just 15 runs in his solitary IPL game so far before returning to the pavilion at the Wankhede.

He was eventually traded to the Dinesh Karthik-led Kolkata Knight Riders during 2020 IPL trading window. A regular fixture for Mumbai in the Indian domestic circuit, the 27-year old has been a consistent performer with the bat across formats over the past several years apart from his useful off-spin spells. Despite releasing opener Chris Lynn, KKR has two reliable options in Tom Banton and Rahul Tripathi to partner Sunil Narine at the top-of-the-order. Hence the talented Mumbaikar might once again warm the bench in the IPL.

#4 Rahul Tewatia

Rahul Tewatia (right) in action against SRH

Rahul Tewatia who began his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals in season seven managed just three wickets in four appearances across 2014 and 2015 IPL. He returned to the league in 2017 after being signed for INR 25 lakh by Kings XI Punjab for whom he took three wickets in three matches during that edition. The leg-spinner whose base price was INR 20 lakh, grabbed the headlines during 2018 IPL auction as he was bought for whopping INR 3 crore by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).

The 26-year old who featured in eight games for Delhi in season eleven scalped six wickets at an economy of 7.86 with his best figures being 3/18. With three proven spinners (Amit Mishra, Axar Patel and Sandeep Lamichhane) already in their ranks apart from new recruit Ravichandran Ashwin, the Sihi-born spinner who managed just two wickets for the Shreays Iyer-led franchise last year was traded to Rajasthan Royals during 2020 IPL trading window. But Tewatia might have to warm the bench as the Royals already have two proven spinners in Shreyas Gopal and Mayank Markande apart from youngsters Riyan Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal who are capable of bowling useful leg-spin.

#5 Sherfane Rutherford

Sherfane Rutherford who was bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 2 crores at 2019 IPL auction managed just 73 runs and one wicket in seven appearances in what was his debut IPL season. A valuable limited-overs commodity, the big-hitting southpaw can also contribute with his right-arm fast-medium bowling. Unfortunately, a poor outing in season twelve prompted Delhi to trade the Guyanese all-rounder to Mumbai Indians ahead of 2020 IPL. A bright prospect, the 21-year old might make it big in the future if he could consistently prove his all-round credentials in the IPL.

But his move to Mumbai Indians for the upcoming edition of the IPL might hinder his chances of donning the jersey given the stiff competition and almost settled overseas combination of Rohit Sharma's men. With the franchise strengthening its squad further by roping in quality overseas players like Chris Lynn, Trent Boult, and Nathan Coulter Nile at 2020 IPL auction, it remains to be seen whether Rutherford would make the XI by competing with veteran and fellow West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard who has been a regular fixture in the defending champion's set-up for more than a decade now.