IPL 2020: 5 Players who might be axed after the first four weeks

The delayed edition of the IPL 2020 has reached the halfway mark successfully in the wake of the global pandemic. Amidst the Covid-conundrum, the authorities have left no stones unturned to ensure that the players remain in the best of spirits.

Stepping into the fifth week of the cricket blockbuster, it goes without saying that the matches have made the fans run high on emotions. The cricketing carnival has gotten the viewers to stick to their television sets until the final bowl is delivered by the bowler.

With neck-to-neck matches, justifying the standard of the sporting event, players need to remain on their toes to find a place in the playing eleven. On that note, this article sheds light on the players who may face the brunt of ordinary performance.

Without, any further ado let’s take a look at the players, who might be benched for the upcoming week in IPL 2020:

1. Ajinkya Rahane

The typical textbook cricketer encapsulates a wide array of shots in his batting arsenal. The Mumbai-based batsman grabbed the ball of opportunity thrown at him with both hands. The right-hander representing Rajasthan Royals drew heaps of praises for his majestic 98 unbeaten against Kings XI Punjab in 2012.

Delhi Capitals traded Rahane from the Royals in the window transfer prior to the IPL 2020 auction. He was brought for a whopping price of INR 5.25 crore. However, the top-order batsman found it difficult to find his name in the playing eleven in the ongoing season owing to the stupendous opening pair in the form of Prithwi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan.

Of late, the Capitals handed him the opportunity to justify his exorbitant price. However, he failed to convert his chance in the three outings.  He has scored meagre 25 runs with an ordinary strike rate of 73.52. Eventually, the out-of-form professional appears to grab the red eyes of team management staring towards him.

2. Robin Uthappa

The Kerala-born wicket-keeper batsman adds an extra weightage of confidence to any side he plays for. His IPL career spanning over 13 years has helped him to improve his cricketing prowess. Mumbai Indians roped him in during the first season of the competition. Having a fairly successful stint for the blue outfit, Robin went on to play for various franchises in the latter stage of his cricketing career.

The top-order aggressive dynamo has amassed 4535 runs in 134 matches with an impressive strike rate of 130.09. However, he has not been able to perform to potential in the ongoing season till now. Uthappa seems to be struggling with his form currently. The veteran has managed to score only 124 runs in his seven-match stint.

With the team positioned in the lower half of the points-table, the team management must be twiddling their fingers to get the big power-hitters on board. Hence, Robin can be instructed to warm the benches in the upcoming matches in order to get the team back on the winning track.

3. Krunal Pandya

The Baroda-prodigy has proven his talent time and again with both the bat and ball. Mumbai Indians brought him at a whopping price of two crores in 2016. The lanky superstar has plucked 45 prominent wickets in 63 matches that he has appeared for the franchise. Also, Krunal has risen to the occasion with the bat each time the team demanded from him. He has 930 odd runs under his swanky belt.

In the 13th edition of the money-induced tournament, Krunal appears to be off-colour. The 29-year-old has managed to pick only five wickets with the ball. With the willow, the all-rounder has amassed 48 poky runs in the last seven outings for the blue outfit.

Although the team feature second in the points table, it goes without saying that the team management will want to continue their winning momentum. Hence, it should come as no surprise if the skipper decides to axe Krunal for the greater good of the franchise.

4. Prasidh Krishna

The Karnataka speedster has become the talking point in the cricketing arena ever since Virat Kohli lauded him for his bowling prowess. The tearaway pacer debuted against Mumbai Indians in 2018 in place of injured Shivam Mavi for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Synonymous with passion and flamboyance, Prasiddh is considered as the best who can take over the reins of the Indian bowling department. The ostentatious cricketer ticks all boxes as he holds the capacity to stifle the opposition with his extra-paced deliveries.

But the budding talent appears to be out of form in the ongoing IPL season. The belligerent bowler has only bagged four wickets in three matches. He seems to be completely off-track as he is completing his spell with an ordinary 9.42 economy.

The gold and purple outfit must be mulling to turn the tables on their side after back-to-back losses in the league. Eventually, the 24-year-old can be asked to rest in the second leg of the crunch tournament.

5. Sheldon Cottrell

Kings Xi Punjab roped in the Caribbean speedster at a heavy price of 8.5 crores in the IPL 2020 auction. The trademark salute has earned him a lot of attention. He performed brilliantly during the World Cup in England and Wales last year, picking 12 wickets at 8.25 apiece.

Out of the six times, Cottrell has donned the KXIP jersey, he has been tremendously out-of-form as he has managed to pluck only six wickets. Adding to his woes, Rajasthan Royals batsman Rahul Tewatia hammered him for five humongous sixes in a single over. It helped RR cross the line of triumph.

Therefore, with him not performing to the expectations, the captain and the think tank must be pondering to replace the 31-year-old from the playing eleven with another ace pacer.