Despite so many regulations and restrictions, IPL 2020 was one of the most memorable parts of the year 2020. There was thrill, there was drama, there was intensity and last but not the least the competition got better and better towards the end.
Several players ended the competition on a high note while many had underperformed too. This article is more about those players who entertained the viewers every time they were on the pitch even if they played for the opposition team.
Let’s see the best possible XI for this season, keeping in mind every rule a squad needs to follow.
1) KL Rahul
Despite Kings XI Punjab’s unfortunate IPL journey, Rahul kept his head high in every game and played as if the pressure did not exist. He was successful in claiming the orange cap even though he did not play in the playoffs. That shows how fabulous he was when it came to batting. He scored 670 runs in 14 matches at a striker rate of 129.34.
Definitely deserves a spot, doesn’t he?
2) Shikhar Dhawan
‘Gabbar’ did not have the best starts this season but he knew he had to step up as soon as Prithvi Shaw started failing to perform. Dhawan was the only player in the tournament to score back-to-back tons this season and those two innings were perhaps the turning point for Dhawan this season.
His knock in the Qualifier 2 was instrumental in helping the struggling Delhi batting to put up a gigantic score on the board and that too in UAE. He scored 618 runs in 17 games at a brilliant strike rate of 144.73 and fell only 53 runs short of laying hands on his first orange cap. However, his performances were not for the orange caps but for his team who ultimately became the runners-up of this season.
3) Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav had one of his best seasons with the bat in IPL 2020. He was the puzzle that completely stabilized a Mumbai side that seemed shaky in the initial stages of the tournament. He played 16 games, scoring 480 runs but the most important part of his innings were how he covered up for Rohit Sharma as the skipper struggled a lot this season and his strike rate was 145.01. Amazing.
He held the wicket well and at the same time kept the scoreboard ticking. Seeing his sacrifice in the final was only icing on the cake as he cemented his spot in the best XI for this season.
4) Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan was not a part of the playing XI in the opening few games of this season but he pounced on the very first opportunity given to him so well that he was never dropped afterwards for the entire season.
Kishan too, like Suryakumar, was very expressive with the bat and he did not shy away from taking risks. His knock of 99 against Virat Kohli’s Real Challengers Bangalore was one of the best this season as Mumbai Indians were behind in the game by a huge margin. He also hit the most sixes in the tournament and this is something very commendable about the ex-Gujarat Lions player. He scored 516 runs in 14 games with a staggering strike rate of 145.76.
5) Marcus Stoinis
The Delhi Capitals all-rounder had a complete turn-around after a poor 2019 IPL and this season, he was definitely up to prove himself. He was the only player in the competition to score 300+ runs and take 10+ wickets and that pretty much justifies his place in the best performers of the league. His strike rate of 148.52 was another reason for his inclusion in the XI.
6) Rahul Tewatia
The Rajasthan all-rounder and Graeme Swann’s favorite, Tewatia broke the internet after he hit 5 sixes in a tight game against the Kings XI Punjab. He has been in the IPL for quite a while but his personal dynamics completely flipped this season. He was not only effective with the bat, but he picked some very crucial wickets too.
His scored 255 runs in 14 games with a strike rate of 139.34 and bagged 10 wickets as well with an economy of only 7.08.
7) Rashid Khan
Rashid was yet again one of the most refined bowlers this season. He missed the purple cap by a long margin but economy-wise he was the best in the tournament. He took 20 wickets in 16 games with an economy of only 5.37, something extremely rare for a spinner in the Indian Premier League.
8) Jasprit Bumrah
‘Boom-boom’ Bumrah was really struggling in the opening games of the season and it seemed that players had figured out how to hit him long. However, the Mumbai Indians striker bowler kept increasing his dominance as the tournament progressed and almost snatched the purple cap in the end. However, he was still the most dependable bowler in the tournament as he took 27 wickets in 15 games and with an economy of 6.73.
9) Trent Boult
Bumrah’s partner-in-crime this season, Boult was perhaps the best player Mumbai could’ve acquired from trading. Sadly, Boult was lethal twice against his ex-franchise and he was successful in breaking their spine in both the playoff game the sides played against each other, including the finals.
The Kiwi was IPL’s best powerplay bowler undoubtedly as he not only managed his economy but provided crucial breakthroughs to Mumbai. He picked up 25 wickets from 15 games and was Mumbai’s key bowler in the opening six overs.
10) Jofra Archer
The Englishman was not only Rajasthan’s best bowler this season but his effectiveness in the death overs was unmatched. He was too difficult to hit and almost every player had a tough time dealing with his pace and length. He managed to strike 20 wickets from 14 games with an economy of under 7, something that was expected from other Rajasthan bowlers too.
11) Yuzvendra Chahal
The ‘tik-tok’ king Chahal was as expressive with the bowl as he is often in his videos. He was one of the most crucial members of the Bangalore squad and had a huge part to play in their improved performance this season. He took 21 wickets in 15 games and his economy of 7.08 was not bad too. Perhaps a wicket-taking support from the other end and Bangalore may have achieved more in this season.
Cover Credits: IPLT20official
