IPL 2019: 3 Batsmen and 1 bowler from each team who could be used in the Super over

IPL has always crossed the limits of thrill and excitement. The 12th season of the most popular league in the world has begun. And the first few matches have shown that it is ready to reach new heights this time. This IPL has been more open than previous editions, as all the teams are equally strong.

As per the rules of T20 cricket, a game cannot end in a draw (if it is not abandoned) and if the scores of teams are equal, then the result is decided in the super over. Till now, there have been 8 IPL matches (including one in this season) which were decided in the super over. It might not be a surprise if more matches go down the wire in this edition.

There is no room for error for the bowlers and the batsmen as well in the super over and things can turn around within a second. This is why some of the fierce hitters and the clever bowlers are short-listed by the teams more often than not.

Here we look at the possible players the teams will go for in case a game goes into the super over:

Chennai Super Kings

Batsmen: Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina

There has been no doubt about the firepower of these three batsmen. Who can forget the final of IPL 2018, where Watson single-handedly guided CSK to victory with his unbeaten century. He was adjudged as the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded PSL as well. Bravo has also been in a stellar form. He has been a trusted finisher for most of the IPL teams. These 2 batsmen have the ability to tackle the pressure efficiently.

Not to be left behind, Suresh Raina who recently became 1st batsman to complete 5000 runs in IPL history. All the three have a strike-rate above 125, and thus they are the perfect choice for CSK.

Bowler: Dwayne Bravo

Moving on to bowling, Bravo has become the death overs specialist for CSK since their return in IPL. He has given an approximate of only 8 runs, that too in death overs, where batsmen look to slam every ball. He has a good mixture of fast and slower balls, and his cutters can trouble any batsman.

Mumbai Indians

Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock and Hardik Pandya

Once Rohit Sharma is set, he can hit every ball at will. Hardik Pandya has been a proven finisher for the Indian team. He can strike from the very first ball, as he did against New Zealand in the 5th ODI of the recently concluded series. These two can open, with De Kock to follow. He has enjoyed tremendous form for a while now and has the ability to hit the long ball from the word go.

Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah

Coming to bowling, they have a champion bowler in Jasprit Bumrah. Hands down he has to take up the onus in the super over. Who can forget MI’s super over against GL, where he conceded just 6 runs in the whole over. He is a proven death overs specialist and will be the best option for Mumbai Indians if the match goes to super over any time this season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Batsmen: Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers and Shimron Hetmyer

RCB have two champion batsmen in Virat and AB de Villiers, who have been their backbone for more than five years. These two are consistent and explosive as well. Their batting abilities need no explanation. They can have Shimron Hetmyer to follow. He scored a 78-ball century against India. His shots are power-packed and his type of batting suits in the super over.

Bowler: Tim Southee

For bowling, they can have Tim Southee. He has been in a good form since the past few months in the domestic and international cricket. He has good variations and a good amount of experience as well. This prevents him from becoming predictable and always keeps the batsmen guessing even the best of the batsmen.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Batsmen: David Warner, Johny Bairstow, Vijay Shankar

It never looked as if David Warner was playing after a gap of one year and Bairstow was making his debut this season in the IPL. Warner has been as usual flamboyant and has been hitting the ball really well. Bairstow also lived up to the reputation to literally smash the hapless RCB bowlers recently. There can’t be any other duo in the super over to start with than these two. Vijay Shankar can follow them next whose confidence has gone to next level and even the SRH is backing him.

Bowler: Rashid Khan

In the bowling, SRH can’t have a better option than Rashid Khan. Although he is a leg spinner, very few batsmen have been able to read him. It has been often seen that he has not only taken regular wickets but is also very much economical and is more threatening when the batsmen are looking to be aggressive against him.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Batsmen: Chris Lynn, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine

All these batsmen play at the strike rate of almost 140. In KKR’s recent match against KXIP, Narine hit Varun Chakravarthy for 24 runs in just 5 balls. Andre Russell smashed a 19 ball 49 against SRH and is in a beast-like form this season. They can hit the very first ball for a huge six. Though Lynn is not in the best of nicks, he can be tipped to do well in the super over. He can smack the ball alright if the platform is clear.

Bowler: Lockie Ferguson

It has been the history of cricket that there is no replacement for pace. If a bowler can bowl at 145+ clicks consistently, then he can beat anyone. And Lockie Ferguson is that kind of bowler. Although he does not have many variations, he has defied many batsmen with pace and accuracy. Thus he will be a good option to bowl in super over.

Rajasthan Royals

Batsmen: Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Rahul Tripathi

Jos Buttler has been in the form of his life. He recently scored career best 150 against Windies. While opening for RR, he has scored 6 half centuries and more often than not finishes the matches. Although Stokes and Tripathi have not enjoyed good form, they are power hitters and can play good shots from the first ball. Frankly, the Royals have only these three in their squad when it comes to clean striking.

Bowler: Jofra Archer

Another bowler who can bowl at 140+ clicks consistently is Jofra Archer. In his brief career, the West Indian bowler has already become a thorn in the flesh for most of the batsmen. When RR was struggling to contain runs in death overs, it was Archer who did the job with utmost perfection. He has the ability to nail the pinpoint yorkers and will mostly take up the responsibility if the need arises.

Delhi Capitals

Batsmen: Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Colin Ingram

2nd position in top run-getters of IPL 2018, 27 ball 78 in 1st match of IPL 2019. There is no doubt that Rishabh Pant started from where he had left in the previous season. He can attack from the very first ball and that works in the favour of the team. Colin Ingram is also a proven hitter in the shortest format. Although Iyer’s recent form has not been good, he is a good hitter of the ball and can certainly send it out of the ground with ease.

Bowler: Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is the best bowler for DC in the super over and if anyone had doubts about it, his recent heroics must’ve done the convincing job. He can bowl at 140+ speeds as well as good slower ones. He will be the best bowler to bowl in super over and not many will argue here.

Kings XI Punjab

Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul and Mayank Agarwal

The best T20 batsman in the world, Gayle can hit the first ball he faces for a six. His ability needs no explanation. He and Rahul were the best opening pair in the previous season. They had scored more than 50% of runs and that too with a big strike rate. Mayank Agarwal is also beaming with confidence after a dream start to his international career. These 3 can attack from the first ball and are the perfect batsmen for a pressure situation like a super over.

Bowler: Andrew Tye

For bowling, there is no better option than Tye. He is the second best death bowler (52 wickets) in IPL after Dwayne Bravo (53 wickets). He has multiple variations, starting from knuckleballs to stock balls. He was the purple cap holder in IPL 2018, and he enjoys bowling in India.

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~Written by Ayuj Aryan