IPL 2020: One all-rounder from each team to look out for

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is just around the corner and buzz surrounding the mega event has already started. Top players from all parts of the globe will take part in the cash-rich league making it one of the best franchise-based tournament.

All the eight franchises have filled the gaps in their squads during the auctions last year in a bid to lift the prestigious trophy. The all-rounders, especially, were in high demand attracting hefty price tags as they provide a good balance to the team.

Over the last 12 years, we have witnessed that the all-rounders have made the difference for the teams and this year will be no different. This campaign we will witness the likes of Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Morris once again delivering the goods for their respective franchises alongside some of the new talents.

As the 13th edition of the IPL starts in a few weeks, we take a look at one all-rounder from each team to look out for.

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Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The all-rounder from Jamaica, Andre Russell is one of the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball in world cricket at present. His ability to hit the ball a country mile sends nightmares to the opposition bowlers. The flamboyant all-rounder was in full display in the last season of IPL despite Kolkata Knight Riders not making it to the playoffs.

Russell amassed 510 runs from 14 matches at a strike-rate of over 200 including 52 sixes. Besides, he was also effective with the ball returning with 11 wickets proving to be a go-to option for Kolkata skipper Dinesh Karthik. However, a lot has changed since the last year and Russell has struggled with injuries that ruled him out of the ICC World Cup 2019.

However, he has finally made a return and has looked in rhythm with both bat and ball during the Bangladesh Premier League. A globetrotter in its true sense, Russell will look to replicate his performances from last campaign as the Knight Riders look to lift their third IPL title.

Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals)

Ben Stokes

Regarded as one of the best all-rounders of the modern-day cricket, Ben Stokes has largely struggled to be at his best in the Indian Premier League. Snapped by Rajasthan Royals to turn their favour in the cash-rich league, Stokes has managed only 319 runs from 22 games along with 14 wickets. His poor outings sum up Royals' campaign in the last two IPLs.

However, the New Zealand-born all-rounder has been in the best form of his career in the last few months. Since winning the World Cup for England last year in July, everything touched by Stokes has turned into gold. He played a match-winning knock in the World Cup finals and then stood up to save England from humiliation in the Ashes.

Considering his current form, Ben Stokes is expected to set the stage on fire as the Steve Smith-led side continue their hunt for the second IPL title. More so, with Jofra Archer sidelined with an injury, Stokes will have to be at his best to lift Rajasthan when the tournament starts from March 29.

Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals)

Marcus Stoinis

A top-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, Marcus Stoinis burst onto the national team with a lot of potential. However, he has failed to offer consistency and is yet to cement his place in the playing XI. A prodigy in domestic cricket, Stoinis has largely remained unsuccessful in the Indian Premier League in the four seasons he has participated in.

Royal Challengers Bangalore released the Aussie all-rounder ahead of the auctions owing to his poor show in 2019 where he managed to scalp only two wickets from ten matches besides scoring 211 runs. But Delhi Capitals has shown trust in the 30-year-old and considering his current form, Stoinis can be the X-factor for his side.

The Victorian is coming on the back of a strong Big Bash League campaign where he smacked 705 runs from 17 outings at an average of over 54. He single-handedly took Melbourne Stars to the finals but lost to Sydney Sixers in the title clash. Marcus Stoinis will be keen to repay the trust shown the franchise and keep up his spectacular run in the 13th edition of the tournament.

Mohammad Nabi (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Mohammad Nabi

An efficient all-rounder who is a strong middle-order batsman and can bowl off-spin, there has been a meteoric rise in Mohammad Nabi's career, much like Afghanistan's. A globetrotter in a true sense, the veteran all-rounder is a key figure in franchise-based T20 cricket.

Nabi has been a part of the Sunrisers since 2017. However, he has been not a regular in the side. In the 13 matches over the years, the veteran all-rounder scored 135 runs at a strike-rate of 148.35 batting in the lower-order alongside 11 wickets to his name. But the last one year has been outstanding for the 35-year-old, who is currently the No. 1 all-rounder in the ICC ODI Rankings.

As Hyderabad march forward for their second IPL title, Nabi is expected to play a big role in this line-up with Shakib Al Hasan missing this entire edition owing to an ICC ban.

He had a good Big Bash League with the Melbourne Renegades where he smacked 160 runs from six games along with five wickets. Nabi will hope to keep up the excellent show here in India.

Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is one of the best all-rounders in the country currently. The flamboyant cricketer from Baroda turned a few heads with his clean hitting in the last season of IPL. Pandya smacked 402 runs from 16 matches at a staggering strike-rate of over 190 including 29 sixes and was one of the key performers during Mumbai Indians' fourth title-winning campaign.

The 26-year-old has been out of action owing to an injury that has been bothering him since 2018. He was slated for a return during the New Zealand series but took longer to regain fitness. Hardik Pandya is expected to be fully fit when he resumes his duties later this month in the DY Patil Cricket tournament.

Pandya possesses a great array of shots in his kitty and can hit the ball from the word go and is also a wicket-taking bowler.

With the T20 World Cup lined up months after the IPL, all eyes will be on the devastating all-rounder as he will look to have an outstanding IPL under his belt ahead of his international return.

Sam Curran (Chennai Super Kings)

Sam Curran

A smart left-arm pacer who is also an able lower-order batsman, Sam Curran burst onto the scene during India’s visit to England in 2018. He was the difference between both the teams during the Test series which fetched him Rs 7.2 crore from Kings XI Punjab during IPL 2019 auctions.

Despite a decent season where Curran scored 95 runs from nine matches at a strike-rate of above 170 and scalped 10 wickets including a hat-trick against Delhi Capitals, Punjab decided to release him. It was a shocking move from the Kings XI and Chennai Super Kings snapped the opportunity to rope in the Surrey cricketer for Rs 5.5 crore.

With Dwayne Bravo at the twilight of his career, the Englishman can provide the balance to the MS Dhoni-led side. The 21-year-old will hope to be at his personal best during his second visit in the IPL and stake a claim in England’s T20 squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. It will also be a learning curve for the young all-rounder playing under the leadership of Dhoni.

Shivam Dube (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube had a forgettable run in his debut IPL season managing only 40 runs from four matches. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) management was confident about releasing the all-rounder ahead of the mega auctions. But Dube’s exploit in the domestic circuit for Mumbai forced the Mike Hesson-led support staff to rethink and retain him.

The 26-year-old Dube is a powerful young cricketer; he packs a punch and is more than capable of hitting the ball a country mile. He is one of the genuine fast bowling all-rounders in the country and is looked upon as the future of the Indian cricket. With 13 T20Is under his belt, the Mumbai lad is yet to showcase his skills consistently, but the oppositions will be fooling themselves if they rule him out of the game.

He boasts a strike-rate of over 135 in T20Is and has the record of hitting five sixes in an over twice and is a capable medium-pace bowler. With experience by his side, Shivam Dube will be a significant factor in the forthcoming IPL as RCB continue their hunt for their maiden title.

Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab)

Glenn Maxwell

One of the ferocious hitters of the cricket ball, Glenn Maxwell is a key figure in Australia’s limited-over side. However, it is not just his power that sends nightmares to opposition bowlers and captains, but it is his ability to play unconventional shots make it difficult to set a field that covers his range.

Meanwhile, the Victorian has returned to his former franchise after spending one season with Delhi Capitals in 2018 and skipping the last season to prepare for the ICC World Cup in England. Maxwell boasts a staggering strike-rate of above 150 in T20s and is also a strike bowler with his gentle off-spin. Besides, he is also a terrific fielder in the field with a rocket arm.

Maxwell had a great outing in the Big Bash League leading Melbourne Stars from the front knocking 398 runs from 17 matches at a strike-rate of 148.50. The 31-year-old all-rounder is currently out with an injury and is likely to regain fitness by the time the 13th edition of the IPL commences. Kings XI Punjab, who will be led by KL Rahul, will want Maxwell to deliver results as they look to lift their maiden title.