Brad Hogg picks two favourite teams to win IPL 2020 in UAE, excludes Chennai Super Kings

The long wait of ardent Indian cricket fans is finally expected to end in September as the BCCI has finally roped in UAE for hosting the much-awaited thirteenth edition of the IPL.

This year’s IPL season got postponed twice in the wake of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. However, the postponement of T20 World Cup 2020 paved way for the Indian board to utilize the window and stage the T20 extravaganza in the latter part of the year.

Considering a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, the BCCI has chosen to shift the cash-rich league to UAE this year. The board is yet to make a final announcement but the mega-event will likely commence from September 19 and wrap up on November 08 in the Middle East country.

It will be a different atmosphere altogether as the franchises will be exposed to new playing conditions. With the change in playing conditions and nature of pitches, there have been many predictions by former cricketers regarding the title contenders for this season.

Former Australia leg-spinner, Brad Hogg, on his YouTube channel, first backed Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians to clinch the trophy this season. MI has been the most successful IPL franchise so far, having won the title four times since the tournament’s inception. The defending champions will be eager to add another piece of silverware in their trophy cabinet.

RCB have always had good stock on paper: Brad Hogg

“Well, Mumbai Indians look like they are going to be champions again. They are one of my top two teams going into this year’s IPL in UAE this year. The reason for this is that they have got a good top four, they also have good allrounders and their bowling attack is stable led by two geniuses with the new ball, and in death overs – Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga,” said Hogg in the video shared on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Hogg also surprised everyone by picking Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore as his second choice to clinch the title this season. The Bangalore franchise, despite being equipped with a star-studded squad, has failed to lift the IPL trophy even once in the past 12 years. However, with the likes of Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Kane Richardson, Hogg feels that RCB might fare well this season.

“The second team I have got for you is for RCB. Finally, they will have a big chance to take out an IPL. They have always had good stock on paper, but they have never been able to go out and get the job done.

Now, with the inclusion of Aaron Finch at the top, he will be able to dominate in the powerplay overs, get some quick runs, and relieve the pressure in the middle order off AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in the middle order,” Hogg further said.

“Also, their bowling attack looks strong with Dale Steyn and Kane Richardson, and they have a better team balance as compared to the last couple of years. They will have a better strategy going into the tournament,” added Hogg, who represented Australia in 7 Tests, 123 ODIs and 15 T20Is.

Here’s the video: