IPL 2020: Rating the chances of the 3 teams yet to win the tournament

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) will start on 29 March, with a mouth-watering contest between old rivals Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. The same two sides contested the final last year, with Mumbai edging out Chennai in a thriller, by one run. The final of the tournament will be played on 24 May.

According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), this season will feature only 6 afternoon matches, as a result of which the tournament will be slightly longer - lasting for 57 days. The league stage will conclude with the contest between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai on 17 May at Bengaluru.

Over the years, many franchises have lifted the IPL trophy. Mumbai are the most successful with four titles -- 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 - followed by Chennai with three wins -- 2010, 2011 and 2018. Kolkata Knight Riders have won the tournament twice -- 2012 and 2014 - while Rajasthan Royals (2008), Deccan Chargers (2009) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016) each have a solitary title triumph.

Three teams participating in this year’s edition are yet to win the IPL crown. In this feature, we analyse the chances of those three franchises.

#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore. Photo - BCCI/IPLT20

Past Record: Currently led by Indian skipper Virat Kohli, RCB have come close to winning the IPL numerous times, but have failed to get past the finish line. They have finished runners-up thrice, in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

In the other years though their performance has been extremely poor. In fact, if you only look at the past three seasons, they have finished 8th, 6th and 8th. Before that as well, they have mostly finished in the bottom half.

Present team analysis: One of the key reasons behind RCB’s under-performance has been their over-dependence on skipper Kohli and AB de Villiers. Their other batsmen have let them down pretty badly, and that needs to change this season. The likes of Moeen Ali and Parthiv Patel will need to step up their efforts.

RCB will have high hopes from veteran South African all-rounder Chris Morris, whom they purchased for a whopping Rs. 10 crore.

If you look at the bowling, they have one genuine match-winner in leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Umesh Yadav hasn’t quite been able to get his act right in the T20 format, and so RCB will want veteran pacer Dale Steyn to deliver the goods along with Navdeep Saini and Kane Richardson.

Winning probability (5/10): If Kohli-De Villiers find support, they can do well, else it might be the same old story for RCB.

#2 Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals

Past Record: Delhi Capitals (previously Delhi Daredevils) began their IPL journey on an impressive note. They made it to the semi-finals in the first two editions, finishing fourth and third respectively. However, from 2013 to 2018 they failed to make the playoffs even once. Last year they did though, for the first time since 2012, eventually finishing third.

Present team analysis: Having impressed last year under Shreyas Iyer, Delhi will be keen to build on their renaissance. They have a strong batting line-up comprising match-winners like Shikhar Dhawan, Jason Roy and Iyer himself. And while Rishabh Pant may be struggling in international cricket, he is a very dangerous proposition in the IPL.

Delhi have made a smart move by purchasing Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who had a stunning run with the bat in the recently concluded BBL, for Rs. 4.8 crore. If he carries on his good form in the IPL, he will be a major asset to Delhi.

There is also Alex Carey and Shimron Hetmyer, both of whom are potential match-winners with the bat.

If you look at their bowling, there is the experience of Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada and Amit Mishra to go with the exuberance of Sandeep Lamichhane.

Winning probability (6/10): Delhi have made the right moves when it comes to player selections. The question is if they can deliver to their potential.

#3 Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab

Past Record: Despite having some big names in their midst over the years, like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Adam Gilchrist, Kings XI Punjab’s performance has been distinctly mediocre. They began the IPL by finishing third in the inaugural edition before ending as runners-up in 2014. However, in all the other editions, they have been eliminated in the group stage itself.

Even co-owner Preity Zinta’s zestful support has failed to lift their spirits.

Present team analysis: In captain KL Rahul, KXIP have one of the most dangerous hitters of the cricket ball in the modern game. Punjab will be elated that Rahul has been in the form of his life lately, and would want him to continue the impressive streak in the IPL as well.

Punjab made a massive buy at the auction by picking Aussie big-hitter Glenn Maxwell for Rs 10.75 crore. If the move works, it will go a long way in the franchise performing well. Remember, the only time KXIP made it to the final, in 2014, Maxwell was the star of the show for them with 552 runs at a strike rate of 187.75.

KXIP have retained Chris Gayle, a move that could work either way depending on which maverick West Indian turns out during the tournament. They also have Sarfaraz Khan in their ranks, who amassed 928 runs in six matches in the Ranji Trophy. Khan will definitely take that confidence into the T20 tournament.

Their bowling, however, appears a bit weak on paper. There have been mixed reviews to left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell being purchased for Rs. 8.50 crore. In Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammed Shami they have wicket-takers, but overall they still appear a couple of match-winners short.

Winning probability (6/10): Although their bowling appears a little weak, if the likes of Rahul, Maxwell and Gayle fire, they can more than make up for that.