IPL 2020: 5 Players who might not play the All Stars game

Several decisive decisions were taken during the IPL Governing Council Meet held at Mumbai on Monday. One of those which grabbed the headlines instantly was that of the All-Stars game which is set to be played ahead of season thirteen of the world’s most popular T20 league.

The game which is to be staged to raise money for charity will be played with the players of West and South zone IPL teams (Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad) taking on players from North and East Zone IPL teams (Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders).

The excitement and expectations levels are already sky-high with the prospect of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers playing together looking bright. Though the venue, team names and players are yet to finalized, this star-studded game has already created quite a buzz among the cricketing fraternity. But due to International commitments and fitness issues, some of the top players might not be seen in action during this game.

On that note, let us look at five top players who will be missed during this exciting clash which is all set to be played three days before 2020 IPL kicks off:

1. David Warner

During high-octane games like these between two star-studded teams, an electrifying start to the innings will lift the momentum to greater levels. Warner is exactly the kind of player who could provide the team with such kinds of starts and set the tone for the rest of the batsmen to take over the innings. He has proved that time and again in the IPL but might not be able to do the same during the All-stars game due to his international commitments.

With 2020 T20 World Cup beckoning, the 33-year-old’s presence at the top-of-the-order will be vital for Men in Yellow when they encounter neighbours New Zealand in the T20I series prior to 2020 IPL. The dashing opener who amassed 647 runs in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup provided solid stars to his team during the quadrennial event and the same will be expected from the 2016 IPL winning skipper when Aaron Finch’s men begin their quest for the shorter format’s ultimate prize at home this October.

With the series against New Zealand assuming greater significance for Australia in the run-up to T20 World Cup, the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman is most likely to miss the All-Stars game to make himself available for the National duty. It will be a big disappointment not just for the fans of Orange Army but for the entire cricketing fraternity which wanted to witness the dream opening combo of Rohit Sharma and David Warner in that game.

2. Ben Stokes

Another major absentee from this game would be the player who owned 2019 with his all-round performance across formats- Benjamin Andrew Stokes. The most expensive buy of 2017 and 2018 IPL auction is a kind of player every franchise would love having in their squad and especially after a memorable 2019, the Englishman was expected to make the XI for this highly anticipated All Stars clash.

Sadly, the 2019 ICC ‘Player Year of the Year’ who would have made the cut for the All Stars game given his all-round credentials might not be seen in action as he would be giving his all for England in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at that time.

The 28-year-old who played a pivotal role in England’s 2019 World Cup win and Ashes at home with his all-round exploits continued his impressive run in the recently concluded four-match Test series (England won 3-1) in which he was once again adjudged the ‘Player of the Series’.

Despite having a dream debut IPL season with the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, Stokes has had moderate success after his move to Rajasthan Royals in 2018. Considering his current form, the Christchurch-born player might once again make a mark in the IPL this season having taken all major tournaments and series by storm over the past few months. But witnessing him at the All-stars game is highly unlikely as Stokes will be spearheading England’s challenge against Sri Lanka.

3. Steve Smith

Another high-profile player who might most probably miss this clash will be former Australian skipper Steve Smith. Though Rajasthan Royals returned to the IPL in 2018, the 30-year-old had to miss season eleven due to the suspension after his alleged involvement in Sandpaper gate scandal which left the whole cricketing fraternity in a state of shock. Making his IPL comeback last season, Smith was made the Royals’ captain for the last six league games owing to a poor outing under Ajinkya Rahane in the first eight fixtures.

The Australian amassed 319 runs in 12 matches throughout 2019 IPL that include three half-centuries. Smith would have been automatic choice for this game considering his batting prowess and the fact that the XI will comprise players from Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders but unfortunately, he might have to skip the game due to his International commitments (T20I series against New Zealand) ahead of IPL season thirteen.

Appointed as full-time skipper of Rajasthan Royals for 2020 IPL, Smith who has 2022 IPL runs in 81 matches will be hoping to change the fortunes of inaugural IPL winners this time having missed out on the play-off spot last season after finishing seventh among eight teams with just five wins (11 points) out of 14 league matches.

4. Hardik Pandya

Pandya has been the major missing in the Indian cricket team across formats for quite some time now. The all-rounder who last played a game in September 2019 is yet to return to the squad after undergoing surgery (in October 2019) due to back problem. Though he was seen bowling at the nets ahead of India’s ODI against Australia weeks ago at Mumbai, he pulled out of India A’s ODI squad for the series against New Zealand A and it raised questions regarding his fitness.

Expectations were that he might make his comeback during India’s Test series against New Zealand which begins on February 21^st. But, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly’s statement on Pandya’s fitness has made the fans disappointed. Despite confirming that Pandya is undergoing training at National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, Ganguly told that the all-rounder is ‘not even fit to play a domestic game’ currently.

If he is fully fit then the Mumbai Indians star might be a natural contender in the XI comprising players from Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. But he is unlikely to make his much-awaited comeback in such a high-octane game just three days before 2020 IPL.

The BCCI, Mumbai Indians franchise and even Pandya himself won’t risk playing in such a game keeping in mind the workload once he makes his comeback during IPL. It will be very unfortunate if a talented player like Hardik Pandya misses these kinds of games but yes, the reality is indeed harsh!

5. Jofra Archer

Archer grabbed the headlines for his electrifying performances with the ball during 2017-18 Big Bash League where he picked up 16 wickets (second highest wicket-taker overall) for eventual runners-up Hobart Hurricanes. His exploits during BBL 07 for the Men in Purple earned him a lucrative INR 7.2 crore contract with Rajasthan Royals during 2018 IPL auction.

In the ten matches he played for Rahane’s men, the 24-year-old grabbed 15 wickets apart from troubling the batsmen with his pace and accuracy. Another decent performance by Archer in 2019 IPL saw him finishing season twelve with 11 wickets in as many matches at an economy of just 6.76.

The England pacer followed it up a sensational performance during his side’s victorious 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign at home picking up 20 wickets thereby emerging as the joint third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

The Barbados-born speedster impressed everyone in his debut Test series- the 2019 Ashes having taken 22 wickets in four games. Given his form, pace, popularity and the combination of teams for All stars game (RR, KXIP, DC and KKR), Archer was an obvious choice in the XI as one of the overseas players. But he might also be a major absentee for this match much like his colleague Ben Stokes, due to his International commitments during that time (Test series against Sri Lanka).