One capped player from each team who may not get a single game in IPL 2020

The 2020 edition of the world’s grandest T20 league, IPL is scheduled to begin from 29^th March.  All the teams had time to fill in the respective gaps of their squads and they made full use of that opportunity during the trade window and the IPL Auction 2020.

Mumbai Indians stand as the strongest team among all as they have covered all their cracks and bolstered their bases. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals look the weakest on paper, however, the fans have seen that often the underdogs rise up to the occasion and stun everyone.

While all the team managements try to cover their loopholes, they also buy a few surplus players who do not feature for the team and keep warming the bench.

Here is the one player from each team who may not get a single game in IPL 2020:

1. Chennai Super Kings – Karn Sharma

Indian spin bowling all-rounder, Karn Sharma has been one of the luckiest players in the IPL as he won the championship on multiple occasions. He was lucky enough to be retained by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the 2020 edition of IPL.

However, Stephen Fleming and Co. may not opt to have the Railways star in their playing XI. The reason behind it is the presence of several world-class spinners in the CSK squad. They have a perfect blend of international and domestic names.

CSK has Imran Tahir, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Sai Kishore, Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla in their team hence, one can assume that Karn Sharma will have to sit in the dugout for the entire season as CSK may not play with more than three spinners in any game.

2. Kolkata Knight Riders – Harry Gurney

English fast bowler, Harry Gurney had made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders last year. The pace bowler had even won the Man of the Match award in his first match of the tournament. Hence, the fans have high expectations from him in 2020.

But, Kolkata Knight Riders’ team management took everyone aback by going after Pat Cummins in the auction. Brendon McCullum signed him for a massive amount of 15.50 Crores INR in the auction, making him the most expensive overseas signing ever.

Besides, Kolkata already have Lockie Ferguson and Andre Russell in their squad. With the Indian pace bowlers expected to be fit for this season, the KKR fans would not be able to witness Harry Gurney in action for the purple and gold franchise in 2020.

3. Mumbai Indians – Saurabh Tiwary

As Mumbai Indians entered the auction with a lot of surplus fund, they thought to bring their former player Saurabh Tiwary in the team. Tiwary had been a star for Mumbai in the past and his brilliant performances earned him a call-up to the Indian team as well.

However, the Jharkhand-based player could not replicate his IPL performance in the international matches. Also, his domestic and IPL performances took a dip in the subsequent seasons thus, the franchises lost their interest in him during the auction.

He had stints with multiple franchises before returning to Mumbai Indians once again. As Mumbai have a plethora of talented Indian as well as foreign batsmen in their line-up, there are negligible chances of Saurabh making it to the match squad of Mumbai Indians.

4. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mitchell Marsh

Sunrisers Hyderabad had to deal with a major blow when their Bangladeshi star, Shakib Al Hasan was ruled out of IPL 2020 because of a suspension. The Orange Army also released Yusuf Pathan and Deepak Hooda before the auction thus, they needed a spin-bowling all-rounder.

VVS Laxman and co. did a fine job by roping in some Indian names in the team but, the one decision made by SRH which surprised everyone was the signing of Mitchell Marsh. The Australian all-rounder is not at his best at the moment thus, it was baffling to see SRH bid for him.

Besides, the first choice foreign players of SRH are Jonny Bairstow, David Warner, Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan. Billy Stanlake and Mohammad Nabi are the standbys for the overseas players thus, Marsh will not be able to play in IPL 2020 despite getting a bid in the auction.

5. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Josh Philippe

Royal Challengers Bangalore had a very questionable auction strategy. The bid heavily for Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis however, they could sign none of them. They instead got the inconsistent pair of Aaron Finch and Chris Morris for big amounts.

Along with the major international stars, Royal Challengers also signed the services of Sydney Sixers’ wicket-keeper batsman, Josh Philippe. The Aussie has been playing magnificently in the Big Bash League thus, he earned himself an IPL contract in 2020.

Bangalore already have Finch, Parthiv Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and Moeen Ali as their opening options thus, it is unlikely that they would make use of their sixth opening option. Also, Philippe may not make it to the XI because he is the least experienced foreign player of the team.

6. Kings XI Punjab – Hardus Viljoen

Perhaps, the most surprising retention made by any franchise ahead of IPL 2020 Auction was Kings XI Punjab retaining the services of South African fast bowler, Hardus Viljoen. The right-arm fast bowler had an average IPL 2019 thus, he had very less chances of being retained.

When Kings XI Punjab announced the release of Sam Curran and Andrew Tye from their squad, the fans were sure that even Viljoen would make it to the released players’ list. But, the fast bowler did not and, he will be a part of the Mohali-based franchise in 2020.

As Kings XI Punjab have the trio of Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami and Sheldon Cottrell in their squad, Viljoen would not make it to the playing XI. Also, they have James Neesham as their fourth seam bowling option so, it is unlikely that the South African star will play a game in IPL 2020.

7. Rajasthan Royals – Oshane Thomas

Rajasthan Royals had signed Oshane Thomas in the previous season after being impressed by his exploits in the T20I series against India. However, the West Indian bowler fell short of expectations and was released from the Rajasthan squad.

The right-arm fast bowler went under the hammer in IPL 2020 Auction once again and co-incidentally, Rajasthan Royals emerged as the team who signed him this year. Thomas will be a part of the RR camp in 2020 however, he has the least chances of playing a match.

The inaugural IPL winners have the likes of Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron, Andrew Tye, Jofra Archer and Tom Curran in their squad thus, the probability that Oshane Thomas gets to represent the Jaipur-based franchise are very minimal.

8. Delhi Capitals – Jason Roy

Delhi Capitals have the best group of openers heading into IPL 2020. They already had Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw in their squad while Ajinkya Rahane was drafted into their squad from Rajasthan Royals during the trade window.

Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant can also open the innings for Delhi if required. Hence, with 4 talented names present in the opening section, Delhi Capitals’ fifth opener, Jason Roy is most likely to sit out and warm the benches during IPL 2020.

As he is the fifth option of their team and that too an overseas player, the team management would not wish to include him in the playing XI. Roy has an exceptional record in T20s but the same cannot be said of his IPL numbers which further weakens his case.