IPL 2020: Predicting the opening combination for all the 8 teams 

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Jonny Bairstow and David Warner
Jonny Bairstow and David Warner

The IPL Auction 2020 concluded in Kolkata with as many as 62 players successfully entertaining a bid for themselves, amongst the 338 players who were a part of the auction. With only a few spots up for grabs in their respective squads, most of the teams were inclined to bid only for the players of their interests.

It was an eventful day as it threw a variety of surprises ranging from the most expensive IPL bid for an overseas player in IPL history to no bids for some of the prolific all-rounders. While usually it is the batsmen who dominate the auction day, it was the bowlers who ruled the auction this time, especially the foreign crop who took the event by storm.

After bowlers, it was the openers who were the most sought after players as the teams looked to build a stable opening partnership for the next season. The likes of Aaron Finch, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, and a few others, were the next best buys of the day. The opening pair is one of the most crucial facets of a T20 team and it was important for franchises to include enough back-up options ahead of the 13th edition of the league.

Here we take a look at possible opening combination for all the eight teams:


#8 Kolkata Knight Riders - Sunil Narine and Shubman Gill

Gill might start the season with Narine for KKR in 2020
Gill might start the season with Narine for KKR in 2020

After letting go of their ballistic opener in Chris Lynn ahead of the auction, it is highly likely that KKR might start the season with the opening combination of Shubman Gill and Sunil Narine. In mid-season last year, Gill was promoted to the top of the order to open the innings alongside Lynn.

But in his absence, it is no brainer that Narine will once get a go at the top along with Gill. KKR have also picked the young Somerset sensation in Tom Banton. The youngster may not start the season but will certainly feature in the latter half of the tournament.


#7 Rajasthan Royals - Jos Buttler and Robin Uthappa

Joe Butler will find a new partner in a former rival?
Joe Butler will find a new partner in a former rival?

Rajasthan Royals, in all likelihood, will continue to open with Jos Buttler as one of their first-choice openers in the team. The English wicket-keeper-batsman can be seen pairing alongside Robin Uthappa, who will shift his base from KKR to the Royals for the next year's edition.

Uthappa, being an experienced campaigner has played as an opener for the majority of his career in the IPL and might relish the opportunity in doing the same role for RR.

#6 Delhi Capitals - Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw

Yet another good season?
Yet another good season?

Delhi Capitals may have fewer problems as far as opening the batting is concerned in the next year's IPL. They had a settled opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw in IPL 2019 and might continue to persist with the same duo at least to start the season in IPL 2020.

But the presence of Ajinkya Rahane and Jason Roy as two eligible options might offer them the luxury to change the combination depending upon the form of the two current openers.


#5 Kings XI Punjab - KL Rahul and Chris Gayle

They can destroy any bowling line-up
They can destroy any bowling line-up

With one of the most dangerous opening combinations in the IPL at their disposal, it is a no-brainer for Kings XI to start with KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. The two had a much successful season in 2019 and would hope to carry their form and score tons of runs for their franchise in IPL 2020.

However, the franchise might be tempted to drop Gayle at some stage and pack their side with overseas firepower in the middle-order and include some bowling depth to employ the arsenal to the best of its use.

#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Jonny Bairstow and David Warner

The opening pair of Bairstow and Warner was most successful in IPL 2019
The opening pair of Bairstow and Warner was most successful in IPL 2019

The most successful opening combination of IPL 2019, the pair of Jonny Bairstow and David Warner had a great time in the last IPL season. The duo shares a great camaraderie which is also evident in their opening partnership on the field.

Warner is in a great form and Bairstow has been smashing the ball ever so cleanly in the recent past. The Orange Army would hope that the two can yet again inflict damage in IPL 2020 to empower them with a strong foundation at the top.


#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Aaron Finch and Parthiv Patel

Will this be RCB's year?
Will this be RCB's year?

Royal Challengers Bangalore had a fragile opening combination in IPL 2019 as they tried a host of players who failed to impress in the limited opportunities that came their way. It was quite palpable in the auction that RCB was keen on roping in a specialist opener who can attack from the word go.

The inclusion of Aaron Finch augurs well for the Virat Kohli-led side as the Aussie captain might be seen opening the innings along with Parthiv Patel, who had a decent run last season.

#2 Chennai Super Kings - Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson

Shane Watson could be one of the top performers for CSK next year
Shane Watson could be one of the top performers for CSK next year

The only cause of concern for Chennai Super Kings was their opening combination which continued to fail for a majority of the season. The duo of Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson were an absolute flop until the mid-season when Rayudu was pushed further down the batting order, only to be replaced by Faf du Plessis.

The South African skipper played a few good knocks and even allowed Watson to regain his form. It is highly likely that Watson and Du Plessis will once again open for the MS Dhoni-led franchise.


#1 Mumbai Indians - Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock

The pair of De Kock and Rohit did wonders for Mumbai in 2019
The pair of De Kock and Rohit did wonders for Mumbai in 2019

Quinton de Kock had a successful year with the bat in his maiden season for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. De Kock was the highest run-scorer for MI and complemented well with skipper Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.

The duo was instrumental in laying the foundation for the batsman to follow to strike from the first ball. The theory of Rohit-De Kock worked very well for the defending champions and they might continue to stick with the opening combination even next year.

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Edited by Shruti Sadbhav