IPL 2020: 3 replacement signings from last season the franchises must retain

With the much-awaited 2020 IPL transfer window deadline nearing (November 14), the fans of all eight franchises are eagerly waiting for their beloved teams to release the list of retained as well as released players. Meanwhile, Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin’s transfer from Kings XI Punjab to Delhi Capitals a week before the deadline remains the top trading window transfer.

The team managements will be considering the major Achilles heel, remaining budget, players’ performance and auction strategies before they could finalize the list of players to be kept and released. The highly anticipated auction for the thirteenth edition of the league will be held at Kolkata on December 19th.

Every team including defending champion Mumbai Indians will be looking to bolster their squads by having a right mix of young as well as experienced stars in their ranks. There are a few players who despite coming in as replacements deserve to be retained.

In the article, let’s take a look at 3 replacement signings who should be retained for IPL 2020

Dale Steyn

Speed gun Dale Steyn, who initially went unsold at the 2019 auction, made a comeback to the IPL last season after being signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore at his base price of INR 1.5 crore. He came in as a replacement of the injured Aussie pacer Nathan Coulter Nile. Amidst much expectations, the veteran produced a sensational performance in his comeback game against Kolkata Knight Riders in their own backyard by removing Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill to finish with the figures of 2/40.

Steyn continued his impressive run in the next game against Chennai Super Kings at home providing two major breakthroughs (Shane Watson and Suresh Raina) in the very first over of Chennai’s innings. It laid the foundation for the home team’s narrow one-run win despite MS Dhoni’s heroics. Unfortunately, he was ruled out of the remainder of 2019 IPL as suffered a shoulder injury which made him to miss the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup as well.

But the impact he created after coming in as a replacement was massive and the 36-year-old who announced his retirement from Test Cricket in August 2019 will be looking forward to unleashing his usual best at IPL 2020. His figures of 3/25 for Cape Town Blitz in the first game of 2019 Mzansi Super League against Jozi Stars on Friday is a perfect example that he is still fit and raring to go. RCB must consider releasing pacer Tim Southee who has been rather ineffective and must retain Steyn despite Coulter Nile’s comeback given the Proteas’ speedster’s experience, fitness, form and the team’s beleaguered pace attack.