IPL 2020: One experienced player each franchise should retain

The build up to the Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL 2020) auction has started after the announcement of the auction date - 19 December in Kolkata. The trading window closes on 14 November, before which franchises can exchange players.

As per recent news, Kings XI Punjab will not be trading Ravichandran Ashwin with Delhi Capitals, despite initial reports claiming the same. In the days to come, we will hear a lot more reports of player trading.

However, the franchises also have the option to retain valuable cricketers, who they feel can contribute heavily. And while T20 is seen as a young man’s game, it has been proved repeatedly over the years that experience also matters a lot. That is why a lot of franchises prefer to retain tried and tested players over inconsistent youngsters.

In this feature, we look at one experienced cricketer from each franchise who deserves to be retained.

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

David Warner (Image courtesy:iplt20.com)

David Warner missed out on the 2018 season due to his ban over to his involvement in the ball-tampering controversy. Either side of it, he has been brilliant for Sunrisers Hyderabad at the top of the order.

In the four seasons that he has been associated with the Sunrisers, Warner has scored in excess of 500. In fact, he led from the front and captained them to victory in 2016. Warner’s own contribution with the bat in the triumph was humongous - 848 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 151.42, with as many as nine fifties.

Coming into the 2019 edition under immense pressure, the southpaw made his bat do all the talking. Forging a highly successful partnership with Englishman Jonny Bairstow, Warner plundered 692 runs in 12 matches at an impressive strike rate of 143.86, with one hundred and eight fifties.

His absence was clearly felt after he returned to Australia during the latter half of the tournament. Although he is worth Rs. 12 crore, it will be a surprise if SRH let him go.

Overall IPL record: 126 matches, 4706 runs

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

Shikhar Dhawan (Delhi Capitals)

Shikhar Dhawan (picture courtesy: BCCI/iplt20.com)

India's ODI opener Shikhar Dhawan, after tasting success with Sunrisers Hyderabad, returned to his ‘home’ Delhi Capitals for the 2019 season. Under Shreyas Iyer, Delhi made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

And Dhawan had a big role to play in Delhi’s resurgence. In 16 matches he amassed 521 runs at a strike rate of 135.67. He had five fifties at an average of 34.73, and a best of 97 not out.

Dhawan has been a consistent performer in IPL over the years. He scored 497 runs in 16 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad as they made the final in 2018. The southpaw’s ability to give the team good starts on a constant basis is something Delhi must consider as a major reason to retain him.

Overall IPL record: 159 matches, 4579 runs

Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)

Chris Gayle

After going shockingly unsold in the 2018 auction, Chris Gayle was eventually picked up by Kings XI Punjab for his base price of Rs. 2 crore. The franchise then retained him for the 2019 edition as well.

While many felt Gayle was past his prime, the Universe Boss gave enough glimpses to show that he still has it in him to terrorise bowlers in the shortest format.

In the 2018 edition he scored 368 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 146.03, with one hundred and three fifties - the century coming against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gayle was impressive in 2019 as well for the Kings, with 490 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 153.60. That run included four fifties, and a highest score of 99 not out.

Before moving to Punjab, Gayle played many a memorable knock for Royal Challengers Bangalore. In his most recent ODI against India this August, he slammed 72 from 41 balls. There are enough reasons for Punjab to retain the Gayle force in their side.

Overall IPL record: 125 matches, 4484 runs

Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Andre Russell (Image Courtesy: IPLT20/BCCI)

Retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs. 7 crore ahead of the 2019 season, Andre Russell proved he was worth the money with some sensational performances with the bat. In 14 games in the 2019 edition, Russell amassed 510 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of 204.81, with four fifties.

Russell hit as many as 52 sixes in the tournament, as match after match he tried to pull KKR out of trouble. He blasted 65 from 25 balls in the home game against RCB, but in vain. Russell’s unbeaten 80 off 40 against eventual winners Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens led them to victory.

Such was the brute force with which Russell was scoring runs that he openly declared to the media that he felt he was batting too low. That led to speculations of things not being in sync within the KKR camp, and left the franchise management a bit embarrassed.

But that shouldn't be reason enough for KKR to look away from the all-rounder for 2020, considering he is also valuable with the ball and is a spectacular fielder to boot.

Overall IPL record: 64 matches, 1400 runs, 55 wickets

Steve Smith (Rajasthan Royals)

Steve Smith

Even as the debate over who is better between Steve Smith and Virat Kohli continues, there is a high probability of Rajasthan Royals retaining the former Aussie captain for the 2020 IPL season.

After missing out on the 2018 season owing to his ban over the ball-tampering controversy, Smith returned to the Royals in 2019, and made an instant impact. In 12 matches, he managed 319 runs at a strike rate of 116.00, with three fifties.

While these are not exceptional numbers by any stretch of the imagination, they are commendable considering the pressure and scrutiny Smith was under going into the tournament.

Royals will be elated with the form Smith displayed in the 2019 Ashes, where he was all but invincible. What Smith brings to the table is unmatched consistency with the bat, coupled with his superb fielding abilities - not to forget that he can turn his arm over as well.

Overall IPL record: 81 matches, 2022 runs

AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

AB de Villiers (Picture Courtesy: BCCI/ iplt20.com)

The much-retired (from international cricket) South African AB de Villiers remains an asset in the IPL. In fact, he is one of the two players who have managed to bring some joy for Royal Challengers Bangalore amid harried campaigns over the years - captain Virat Kohli being the other.

2019 was no different for AB and RCB. While De Villliers scored 442 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of 154 with five fifties and a best of 82 not out, RCB finished last with five wins and eight losses.

RCB would be hoping to turn their fortunes around for the 2020 season, and retaining De Villiers will give them some sort of assurance about their chances. De Villiers has the ability to single-handedly turn matches, which makes him as great an asset as one can have in T20s.

Overall IPL record: 154 matches, 4395 runs

Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)

Shane Watson

The all-rounder Shane Watson was integral to Rajasthan Royals’ methodical IPL triumph in the inaugural season of the IPL back in 2008. He played a stellar hand for Chennai Super Kings in 2019 too, and almost single-handedly brought home the title for them with 80 from 59.

The image of Watson batting with a bloodied knee during the innings went viral. And so, even after Mumbai Indians won the final by one run, it was Watson who emerged as a superhero of sorts.

The heroics in the final apart, Watson had a reasonable season. The veteran Aussie finished with 398 runs, including three fifties and a highest of 96, scoring his runs at a strike rate of 127.56.

More than the runs he scores, it is his ability to come up with the goods under pressure that makes Watson such a valuable asset in the IPL - which is something the Chennai management will be well aware of. But it remains to be seen whether Watson makes himself available for IPL 2020, having retired from Australian cricket.

Overall IPL record: 134 matches, 3575 runs, 92 wickets

Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians)

Lasith Malinga. (Picture Courtesy: BCCI/ iplt20.com)

Lasith Malinga is like fine wine; he just gets better with age. As recently as September 2019, he picked up four wickets in four balls in a T20 against New Zealand at Pallekele.

'Slinga' Malinga has been instrumental in making Mumbai Indians the most successful IPL franchise of all. Every time it seems his time is up, he puts his hand up and delivers an amazing performance.

After turning mentor for the 2018 season, he returned next year as a bowler, and proved reasonably effective. In 12 matches, Malinga picked up 16 wickets at a strike rate of 16.81. Although his economy rate was a bit on the higher side, at 9.76, he had two four-wicket hauls, which reinforced his wicket-taking ability.

After being hit around in the final, he claimed the wicket that made Mumbai Indians IPL 2019 winners.

Malinga’s toe-crushing yorkers have become legendary, and he can still pull them off against the best - as World Cup finalists New Zealand found out recently. Jasprit Bumrah has also acknowledged Malinga’s role in his rise as a wicket-taker with Mumbai Indians.

If Malinga is available for this season, there is every chance Mumbai will retain him.

Overall IPL record: 122 matches, 170 wickets