3 Teams That Have The Best All-Rounders In IPL 2020: It is that time of the year after the IPL auctions when all the teams are ready with their squads ahead of the new season, as comparisons can be drawn between squads as to which is more stronger than the other or which team might struggle in a specific department. Each of the franchise did wonders in the IPL auction held in Kolkata in December last year, in building a side which can compete to win the IPL title in 2020.
One of the most crucial facets of a T20 team talks with the need of having utility players who possess multi-skills to contribute through more than one aspect of their game. It is usually seen that teams boasting of quality all-rounders in their ranks, often end up going far in the tournament. An all-rounder can deliver both with bat and ball and offers his team to include a specialist in any other department. Not each team is fortunate enough to own the services of a good pool of all-rounders in their team.
1. Mumbai Indians
Available all-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sherfane Rutherford, Prince Balwant Rai
There’s no surprise why Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With four titles in the last seven years, a lot of MI’s success can be attributed to their settled core of all-rounders who have delivered on most occasions.
The presence of Hardik Pandya brothers provides the Rohit Sharma-led franchise with depth in their batting order. One of their most favored players, Kieron Pollard is a rock in the lower-order. Though his prowess as a T20 bowler has taken a major hit, his batting skills make him a match-winner any day. Ahead of the 13th edition, Mumbai traded Sherfane Rutherford as a decent striker of the ball, and a medium-pace option who can roll his arm over when required.
In the IPL 2020 auction, MI roped in their most expensive bid this season in Nathan Coulter-Nile and included a young Indian talent in Prince Balwant Rai to bolster their already robust pool of all-rounders.
2. Kings XI Punjab
Available all-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham, Chris Jordan, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Harpreet Brar
Kings XI Punjab has been the under-achievers in the history of the IPL. One of the three teams in the IPL who have not any season so far, Kings came close to lifting the trophy in 2014 but were knocked out in the final by KKR. In pursuit of fulfilling their IPL dream, Punjab released most of their players and was seen quite busy at the auction table in Kolkata.
At the IPL 2020 auction, under their newly-appointed head coach Anil Kumble, Punjab made some decent buys to provide them with a chance to be in contention of the elusive IPL trophy next season. With the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Neesham and Chris Jordan, the Kings fancy one of the best groups of all-rounder this season.
Maxwell is an x-factor in their setup and his return to form in the shortest format, might do wonders to the franchise in the next edition. Jordan is one of the better known T20 players in the world. Gowtham, who’s probably playing the best cricket in his life, was a sneaky trade for IPL 2020. In Hooda and Brar, the Mohali-based franchise will have various options to play their best-suited XI for every match.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders
Available all-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Chris Green
The two-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders have relied a lot on their all-rounders to deliver goods in the past seasons of the IPL. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are the two most valuable players in their entire squad. The two Caribbean players have often been the backbone of the playing XI ever since their tie-up with the franchise.
Most of the KKR’s tactics are centered around Russell and Narine in the IPL. Russell, who has made it a habit of delivering the knockout punch, is one of the most feared batsmen in the league. His bowling form might be a concern for the Karthik-led franchise but is equally capable of winning matches with his bat alone.
On the other hand, Narine is a vital cog for the Kolkata-based franchise as someone who can bowl in the power play and can even go berserk as a slogger in the first six overs. In Nitish Rana, and their latest recruit in Chris Green, KKR boast of some decent all-rounders who can help them go far in the tournament,
