IPL 2020: One player from each team who can be a game-changer

It's that time of the year for cricket fans to analyse all the teams in the Indian Premier League as we near its 13th edition. With the auctions ending in December 2019, here we are going to talk about what game-changers are and how important are they in T20 cricket.

In such a short format, game changers are players who can change the complexion of a game in a matter of balls or overs. They can be either batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders or even fielders who can pull off something outstanding with their skill sets.

IPL is blessed with such talent and over the years, we have witnessed many bowling spells, batting innings, and fielding displays that have altered a game. Here, we are going to take a look at the 8 squads and the players who can be game-changers for their respective sides.

#8 Sunrisers Hyderabad - David Warner

David Warner was at his very best last season

There can be a debate with regards to who really will be the game changer for SRH next season and it's a two-horse race between David Warner and Rashid Khan. But with regards to what he did last season, Warner has to be SRH's main man in 2020.

The Australian opener won the Orange Cap in 2019, scoring an incredible 692 runs from just 12 games at an average of almost 70 and a strike rate of 144. Even though he had to leave early for World Cup preparations, Warner was unarguably the best batsman last season.

SRH will once again depend heavily on David Warner in IPL 2020 and honestly, if he can replicate last season's form or come close, the Orange Army have a real chance of going through to the playoffs or even all the way.

The 33-year-old can not only change the game with the bat but he is also incredible in the field and can easily pull off a sublime piece of fielding that can change the complexion of a game. All in all, a lot will be riding on David Warner when he turns up for SRH next season.

Also see – Ranji points table

#7 Royal Challengers Bangalore - AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers can change any game

There was no doubt about this one, was there? AB de Villiers is someone who can unleash carnage on the opposition with his 360-degree batting skills and him alongside Virat Kohli remain RCB's mainstays.

The 35-year-old scored 442 runs in 13 games last season, at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 154. Everyone knows what threat the South African poses, it's just that no one really has been able to figure out how to stop him.

He is quick between the wickets, can hit fours and sixes at will and is an absolutely incredible athlete. The 35-year-old can take some blinding catches as he did last season and we can something similar from him in 2020 as well.

#6 Rajasthan Royals - Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer will be RR's, go-to man

From making his debut for England to winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Jofra Archer has had an incredible 2019. The Englishman has been the shining light of RR for the last couple of seasons.

Archer was brilliant last season as he picked up 11 wickets from 11 games, at an economy rate of just 6.67, which is incredible really when one considers the fact that the Englishman bowls often in the powerplay and the death. He hasn't shown his exploits with the bat in the IPL yet but it is fair to say that he can use the long handle of the bat every now and then.

Not only that, Archer is brilliant in the field and is an incredible athlete. A lot will be riding on Archer if RR are to make it to the playoffs.

#5 Chennai Super Kings - Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is CSK's heartthrob

Ravindra Jadeja, just like MS Dhoni, has been a part of CSK for a long time and it's no secret that he is one of the most important players in this CSK set-up. The reason for that is the fact that Jadeja is what one calls a three-dimensional player; someone who can do a job while bowling, batting, and fielding.

Last season, the 31-year-old was immense for the three-time IPL Champions as he picked up 15 wickets from 16 games at an economy rate of 6.35. He also played the role of a finisher and scored 106 runs from 16 games at a strike rate of 121. Not only that, but Jadeja is also an incredible fielder, someone who is capable of pulling out some scorching catches, magnificent run-outs while also saving a good 10-20 runs with his fielding.

All in all, the 31-year-old is a man who can change the balance of the game by either his bowling, batting or fielding and that is what makes him a favourite among CSK fans.

#4 Delhi Capitals - Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant is DC's main man

Rishabh Pant has been the backbone of Delhi Capitals for the last couple of years and it shouldn't come as a surprise that he will be touted as DC's game-changer for next season.

Pant has that knack of depositing the ball into the stands with ease. Couple that with the experience he has gained over the last year in international cricket and you have yourself a proper batsman who can take the game away from the opposition at any given moment.

Last season, Pant managed to score 488 runs from 16 games, at an average of almost 38 with a strike rate of 162. DC will be looking at Rishabh Pant next season every time the team are in trouble.

#3 Kings XI Punjab - Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell brings firepower to this KXIP side

KXIP signed Glenn Maxwell in the auctions for INR 10.75 cr after the Australian missed the last season of the IPL. Now that he has returned from mini-break owing to mental health, Maxwell will play for a franchise he knows inside out in IPL 2020.

The 31-year-old had his best season with KXIP in 2014, scoring an incredible 552 runs from 16 games at a strike rate of 188. Maxwell is everything one looks in a game-changer -- the Australian can hit boundaries at will, is an incredible fielder and can also bowl some handy off-spinners.

Game changers are what KXIP lacked last season but with the addition of Maxwell, Anil Kumble would be hoping that his team's fortunes improve in the upcoming season.

#2 Kolkata Knight Riders - Andre Russell

Andre Russell was incredible last season

Andre Russell is the definition of a game-changer, someone who can win you games almost single-handedly, which is exactly what he did last season for KKR. He not only scored 510 runs in 14 games at an incredible strike rate of 205, but he also managed to pick up 11 wickets.

That game-changing ability, both with the bat and with the ball. is what one looks in a game-changer. Russell is arguably the best T20 all-rounder in the world whenever he plays. But given how injury-prone Dre Russ has been over the years, KKR need to manage his workload better next season.

Teams will want to get rid of Andre Russell every time he arrives at the crease because the longer he stays on the pitch, the higher the chance KKR have of winning.

#1 Mumbai Indians - Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is as good as they come

This selection is debatable as Mumbai Indians don't just have one game-changer. It was a choice between Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah but because the latter has been so consistent over the last couple of years, he gets the nod ahead of Pandya.

Bumrah is undoubtedly the best death bowler in the world and arguably one of the best in the world in all three formats for the past few years. Last season, the 26-year-old picked up 19 wickets from 16 games at an incredible economy rate of 6.69.

Bumrah has been Rohit Sharma's go-to man for quite a few years now and it will be the same next season when Mumbai Indians will be looking to defend their title.