IPL 2020: Predicting where each team would finish in the league stages

IPL 2020 is a stone’s throw away and countless cricket enthusiasts have started chalking out their calendars based on when their favourite sides are playing. In fact, with the world ravaged by the novel coronavirus, IPL 2020 offers fans a chance to get hooked onto cricket and forget about their travails.

Back in May 2019, Mumbai Indians clinched their 4th IPL crown courtesy a tense victory against Chennai Super Kings – a win that made the former the most successful IPL franchise ever.

Unsurprisingly, the defending champions arrive at IPL 2020 high on confidence and with a squad capable of rattling several cages.

Elsewhere, the Delhi Capitals seem to have forged together a strong roster and one that accords them their best opportunity to end the IPL hoodoo.

Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore, meanwhile, also bought relatively well at the IPL 2020 auction, meaning that the pair, which has tasted four final defeats between them, look well-equipped for a sustained title challenge this time around.

Furthermore, the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have adopted a clear plan of action – something that places them in better stead to repeat their heroics of yesteryear.

And, of course, the Chennai Super Kings, still seething from their defeat in the 2019 summit clash, would want to reduce the gap between themselves and the Mumbai Indians, with another IPL trophy.

Thus, at least on paper, IPL 2020 promises to be as keenly contested as any previous edition. However, with each team capable of ruffling the other’s feathers, there also exists the possibility of a string of upsets (relatively) and mind-boggling results.

Consequently, it would take a brave man to bet on where each outfit would end up come the culmination of the IPL 2020 league stage. Yet, rather than sitting on the fence, one feels the time is ripe to indulge in a few predictions and envision the exact league positions where the IPL teams could finish.

Without further ado, here is a look at how the table could shape up post the round-robin fixtures.

8. Rajasthan Royals

Steve Smith would be eyeing a stellar IPL season with Rajasthan Royals

During the off-season, Rajasthan Royals bravely decided to let Ajinkya Rahane leave. In fact, the Jaipur-based franchise had not just relieved themselves of their best Indian batting asset, they had also shipped a former captain, meaning that the leadership burden solely rests with Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2020.

Though the Australian usually relishes the extra responsibility placed on his shoulders, he comes into the competition on the back of an uninspiring tour of England, where he sparkled intermittently in the T20Is before being omitted altogether in the ODI series.

Jos Buttler too, fared well below expectations during that particular ODI assignment, meaning that two of RR’s best batsmen might have to endure a slightly patchy start.

Additionally, RR still don’t have any clarity on whether Ben Stokes would be available. The Englishman flew to New Zealand in order to be with his father, who has unfortunately contracted brain cancer.

Thus, the only overseas option that arrives in the UAE in pristine condition is Jofra Archer, who highlighted against Australia that he still remains a force in white-ball cricket.

In an ideal world, RR would be blessed with an overseas quartet of Archer, Buttler, Smith and Stokes. Yet, with Stokes’ availability under a cloud and Buttler and Smith potentially not hitting the ground running, their threadbare Indian contingent could be woefully exposed.

At present, RR have pinned their hopes on an ageing Robin Uthappa, an inexperienced Yashasvi Jaiswal and an inconsistent Sanju Samson. Though each possesses the ability to take IPL 2020 by storm, it would represent a significant surprise if it does come to fruition.

And, that, above everything else, makes RR favourites to finish with the wooden spoon.

7. Kings XI Punjab

KL Rahul will lead KXIP in IPL 2020

Kings XI Punjab have opted for a different modus operandi for IPL 2020. They have handed the reins to KL Rahul and have brought in Anil Kumble as the head coach. And, to make the duo feel comfortable, they’ve added a ton of players from Karnataka.

In addition, the presence of Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran makes KXIP one of the more feared batting units in the competition. However, unfortunately for them, each has a propensity to mediate between the mediocre and the magnificent.

Though Maxwell recently distinguished himself in the ODI series against England, one never knows which side of the Big Show would turn up, especially in crunch situations.

Nicholas Pooran too, blew hot and cold throughout the 2020 edition of the CPL, where his side were shot out for 55 in the semi-final against the St Lucia Zouks. While he remained the only batsman to score a century in that tournament, his struggles on the sluggish Trinidadian wickets were laid bare for everyone to see.

As for Chris Gayle, well, the Universe Boss has not picked up a bat in anger for a few months. Though he can hit his straps almost instantly, he could just as well endure a significant lean patch – something that might make him a liability.

Also, there does not seem to be a lot of batting depth in their Indian contingent. Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and Sarfaraz Khan might appear to be decent options, but each has struggled to replicate their domestic exploits in the IPL so far.

However, KXIP’s biggest problem lies in their bowling department and its prospective inability to take wickets regularly and keep the opponents’ scoring rate under check.

Mohammad Shami has re-invented himself as a bowler across formats but still represents a pacer capable of going the journey on placid tracks.

Chris Jordan, Hardus Viljoen and Sheldon Cottrell have been good in patches over the past year, but neither seems cut out to spearhead a title-winning campaign.

Furthermore, on the spin-friendly tracks in the UAE, KXIP seem to lack genuine wicket-taking spinners. Krishnappa Gowtham and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman are good ‘containing’ bowlers but might find it tough when entrusted with breaking the game open.

And, while Ravi Bishnoi could yet prove to be a shrewd acquisition, he is still unproven at this level – something that could act as a potential impediment.

Thus, for all the positive murmurs coming out of the KXIP camp before IPL 2020, it could be another year of disappointment.

6. Kolkata Knight Riders

Can Andre Russell power KKR into the playoffs? (Credits: Outlook India)

Kolkata Knight Riders have essentially enjoyed three different kinds of spells in the IPL. The first was where they portrayed themselves as a team that lacked direction while during the second phase, they found their groove under Gautam Gambhir.

Since IPL 2018 though, KKR have often been a side that has been guilty of emphasizing the ‘gold or bust’ philosophy.

On days when Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine have flourished, KKR have had the beating of the IPL’s elite. Yet, on occasions when the trio has not come to the fore, they’ve fallen flat on their face.

To that end, they did sign Eoin Morgan and Tom Banton at the IPL 2020 auction, though their exorbitant spending on Pat Cummins left them with no room to manoeuvre, as far as Indian acquisitions were concerned.

Subsequently, they have invested an awful amount of confidence in youngsters of the ilk of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi and of course, Shubman Gill – something that makes their Indian contingent seem a little lightweight.

And, then there is also the problem of trying to accommodate the embarrassment of riches they have in the overseas department. Though Russell, Narine, Morgan and Cummins might be their first choice, a spanner could be thrown in the works, considering Russell’s injury record.

Additionally, Sunil Narine missed the latter part of Trinbago Knight Riders’ CPL campaign, meaning that he might be a doubt too. As for Cummins, it’s fair to say that he didn’t particularly set the world ablaze against England.

Thus, there seem to be more problems than solutions as KKR enter IPL 2020. Moreover, with Dinesh Karthik’s captaincy also under a cloud, they might just have to settle for another sub-standard season.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid Khan could hold the key for SRH in IPL 2020 (Credits: DNA India)

For the past few years, Sunrisers Hyderabad have often been dubbed the side as being the most balanced. Yet, somehow, they’ve not managed to adorn their journey with an IPL triumph, since 2016.

At the IPL 2020 auction, SRH didn’t cause a lot of ripples as they chose to stick to their core group of players and only signed cricketers, they thought were good enough to provide them different dimensions.

With an opening combination of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, SRH certainly strike fear into the opposition. However, on the slow and low pitches in the UAE, they might just be found wanting, especially considering there is not a lot of firepower lower down the order.

The likes of Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey and Vijay Shankar are ‘touch’ players that usually prefer pacey tracks. However, they might not be accorded that luxury for the duration of IPL 2020 – something that could shift the onus entirely onto Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan.

On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not been at his best over the past couple of years, whereas Khaleel Ahmed has, on most occasions, leaked runs. Basil Thampi and Siddharth Kaul too haven’t hit the heights they’ve done previously, meaning that a lot could again rest on how Rashid Khan performs.

Thus, at this juncture, it seems that SRH’s campaign could be defined by how Rashid Khan fares. And, though the Afghan usually comes up trumps, it would be naïve to expect him to single-handedly spearhead the outfit into the playoffs.

4. Chennai Super Kings

Can MS Dhoni turn back the clock in IPL 2020? Well, CSK would hope so (Credits: DNA India)

Even before the dust had settled on CSK’s luggage post their arrival in the UAE, they were dealt a considerable blow with Suresh Raina returning to India. In fact, the 2020 season represents the first time the franchise would have to make do without their charismatic all-rounder for an entire edition.

Apart from that, CSK seem to have plenty of other ailments to cure as well. Shane Watson has not played competitive cricket in a while, whereas Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav also seem to have fallen off a cliff.

Though Faf du Plessis did participate in the Solidarity Cup, he has endured an incredible number of crests and troughs in recent times, both for his batting and his captaincy.

And, then, there is also the small matter of MS Dhoni having not played a competitive fixture since July 2019.

Fortunately for CSK though, they seem to have a few facets that are in their favour, especially considering that IPL 2020 is going to be held in the UAE.

Over the years, CSK have been a side that relies heavily on its spinners and on its batsmen to lift them to scores in the 160-180 range. While the latter facet might come a cropper on docile surfaces, it could perhaps be the right ploy on relatively unfavourable batting tracks in IPL 2020.

As for their spin bowling contingent, they added Piyush Chawla during the off-season, whereas the presence of Mitchell Santner and Imran Tahir would also take the burden off Ravindra Jadeja during IPL 2020.

Coming to Ravindra Jadeja, he has built up a reputation as a genuine all-rounder over the past twelve months, indicating that he has traversed quite a bit since being termed a ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer.

Thus, there exists a feeling that the potential of ‘Ravindra Jadeja – the all-rounder’ might get completely unlocked at IPL 2020. And, if that happens, there aren’t many match-winners capable of rivalling his exploits.

Most tellingly though, CSK would be led by their talismanic skipper MS Dhoni. A few weeks ago, the wicket-keeper bid adieu to the international game, meaning that the IPL represents his holy grail until he hangs up his cricketing gloves completely.

Though he doesn’t normally talk about proving anything to anyone in front of the camera, there seems to be a fiery character within the confines of that calm demeanour he showcases.

And, one can bet one’s life that that personality would want to make people ask MS Dhoni why he retired at the time he did, rather than hammering further nails into his coffin, quipping that he left it a little too late.

Well, if that is indeed the case, CSK, despite seeming a tad weak on paper, might just scrape through to the IPL playoffs.

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Could this finally be Virat Kohli and RCB's year in the IPL?

Royal Challengers Bangalore, much like numerous previous seasons, have found a place in the top four of pre-season IPL predictions. Unfortunately for them though, not many editions have followed that script, and they’ve seldom been a side that has lived up to its billing.

However, the perennial under-achievers of the IPL might be in for a turnaround this time. And, while the hopeless romanticist would talk about the law of averages and similar notions, there is plenty of cricketing logic to back RCB for a playoff berth.

For much of the New Zealand tour earlier this year, Virat Kohli looked a pale shadow of himself, not just with the bat but also as a captain. And, knowing Virat Kohli, he would want to prove that that was just an anomaly, rather than a worrying sign of things to come.

Elsewhere, AB de Villiers might want to remind the world what they are missing in international cricket. At the same time, he might also want to justify South Africa’s attempts to bring him back to the international fold.

Apart from that, RCB might also have a stable opening combination to call upon in IPL 2020. At present, Aaron Finch is one of the most dangerous openers in the shortest format. Devdutt Padikkal, too, has done his reputation no harm over the most past couple of years in domestic cricket.

Most importantly though, RCB seem to have a much better bowling attack this time around, especially considering the conditions that might be on offer during IPL 2020.

Adam Zampa, who was signed as a replacement for Kane Richardson, might ultimately prove to be their smartest bit of business, whereas the additions of Chris Morris and Dale Steyn also accords them more balance.

Furthermore, with the grounds in the UAE housing larger boundaries, the likes of Mohammad Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Umesh Yadav might actually be a handful in the death overs in IPL 2020, considering their proclivity to hit the pitch hard.

On the spin-bowling front, Moeen Ali would hope to audition himself as a capable spin-bowling all-rounder. In addition, Yuzvendra Chahal’s tendency to entice the batsmen into playing huge shots, could fetch him a lot of wickets.

Thus, for the first time in a few years, RCB do seem to have a good roster on their cards – something that AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli have repeatedly said in the build-up to IPL 2020.

And, perhaps now is the time for RCB to finally deliver on their promise in the IPL. Else, there could be massive ramifications.

2. Mumbai Indians

Can Mumbai Indians defend their IPL crown? (Credits: The Sports Rush)

Since the turn of the last decade, Mumbai Indians have rarely not assembled a squad that possesses the ability to win the IPL. And, fortunately for them, they’ve stayed true to those expectations on four different occasions (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019).

MI begin IPL 2020 as one of the soundest outfits, with an array of batting and bowling alternatives. They have Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock at the top of the order, with Suryakumar Yadav acting as the perfect foil to the pair at No.3.

Further down the order, the presence of Kieron Pollard, Hardik and Krunal Pandya is bound to send shivers down opposition spines, considering the damage each is capable of inflicting towards the end of an innings.

And, if that isn’t enough, they have exceptional back-up options in Chris Lynn and Sherfane Rutherford, with the former, in particular, hoping to re-establish his credentials as a premier T20 batsman.

As far as their fast bowlers are concerned, even without Lasith Malinga, they have an enviable battery, which consists of James Pattinson, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Trent Boult.

Though they might seem a little short in the spin bowling sector, the form Rahul Chahar showcased in 2019 could cast him as MI’s primary wicket-taking option during the middle overs.

Thus, under the able stewardship of Rohit Sharma, MI seem to have a squad that comes as close to T20 perfection as any. Yet, one just feels that the lack of world-class spinners could prove to be their undoing in a couple of league games in the IPL – something that makes them narrowly miss out on the numero uno spot.

1. Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant would hope to put his best foot forward in IPL 2020

Right. There might be a lot of eyebrows raised at the Delhi Capitals featuring at the perch of the list, but there is substantial evidence to suggest that it could indeed happen (for the first time since 2012).

At the top of the order, DC have Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw – the archetypal modern opening partnership that is equally adept against pace and spin. Additionally, they have a fairly decent alternative in Ajinkya Rahane.

A little lower down the batting order, they have Shreyas Iyer and the enigmatic Rishabh Pant. While the former would be wanting to continue his recently charted upward curve, the latter would be looking for redemption – something that would again cast him as the protagonist of India’s next generation of cricketers.

And, if for some reason, one feels that that particular top four lacks belligerence, they might have Shimron Hetmyer and Alex Carey/Marcus Stoinis coming in at No.5 and No.6.

Yet, most essentially, DC seem to have ironed out the flaws that existed in their machine last season. For much of IPL 2019, they failed to pick up the requisite wickets during the middle overs, meaning that they had to rely on the brilliance of Kagiso Rabada to bail them out.

However, with the acquisition of Ravichandran Ashwin, it seems that that problem has been rectified. Moreover, the off-spinner, in tandem with the evergreen Amit Mishra, could be quite a quandary for several teams in the IPL.

Moreover, pacers of the ilk of Anrich Nortje, Daniel Sams, Ishant Sharma, Keemo Paul and Rabada might prefer bowling to the longer boundaries in the UAE, considering that their first instinct is to push the batsmen onto the back foot.

Thus, the stars just seem to be aligned in DC’s favour heading into IPL 2020. If they can carry that momentum into the playoffs is another matter altogether. Yet, when talking about the league stages in isolation, one just can’t look past them as table toppers.