The Indian Premier League 2021 was witnessing some action-packed competition as the tournament had just passed 50% of completion but a sudden spike of cases within the bio-bubble compelled the BCCI to react swiftly to it and a decision of suspending the IPL, for the time being, was taken.
After a few months passed, the BCCI decided to finish the remainder of the tournament in the UAE, and talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) were also reported to have reached an agreement. Fans were relieved after it was announced that the second phase of the IPL is set to take place from September 19, with the final to be played on October 15.
To know about the IPL second phase venues and dates in detail, click here!
However, Cricwizz’s aim for today is to discuss which key players will be missing from each franchise and how that will affect every team’s performance in the aftermath. This is happening after the England Cricket Board (ECB) revealed that it won’t allow its players, with boards of some other nations reluctant about risking their players as well.
But the BCCI have announced that they will try their best in their capacity to convince the boards and also hold talks specifically with the West Indies Cricket Board in order to postpone the Caribbean Premier League. Even if that happens, some players are sure to miss the matches as a result of the COVID protocols.
So let’s analyze and recap how each IPL franchise had performed until the suspension, how will the team look after missing some of their key players, and what are their chances to win the IPL this season.
IPL 2021 resumption dates and fixtures!
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
A franchise that is always hailed to make it big in the tournament but fails to deliver, Virat Kohli-led RCB were in fabulous form this season. Glenn Maxwell's arrival and Harshal Patel’s smart bowling boosted the team’s performance immensely as Kohli and co. managed to win five out of the seven games they played.
Except for a horrific loss against Chennai Super Kings, RCB have been brilliant in the tournament. They are delivering with the bat, bowl, and are also doing the job in the field. However, it is intriguing to see who all may be set to miss the second phase of the tournament from RCB.
Kane Richardson, Daniel Christian, Daniel Sams, and Adam Zampa are the likely players to miss the second phase of the tournament and Kohli may not be disappointed as he still possesses a lot of the performers who made a difference this season. With only a few wins needed to play in the qualifiers, RCB and Kohli would be taken aback if they fail to do so.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
IPL’s most successful franchise, the Mumbai Indians have had a start they are known for in the tournament this season too. Starting with a loss, producing clutch performances, and making this a routine, Mumbai Indians are on course to compete till the end of this season’s IPL as well.
However, here comes the shocker. Mumbai Indians are set to miss the likes of Chris Lynn, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Kieron Pollard for the second phase but that may still not affect them as much as players missing out is affecting the other teams.
While Pollard’s absence could be a factor, Mumbai Indians still have a rock-solid core and the majority of their stars available. Does that make the six-time champions a contender for the play-offs? Well, it is tough to say as this time the competition is fierce. However, what Mumbai are aware of is their ability to make comebacks and in the blink of an eye, we may see Mumbai Indians playing another IPL final.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
After an unprecedented performance last year, Chennai Super Kings led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni was back among the top sides in the IPL, winning five of the seven games they played until IPL’s suspension. This season looked completely different for a Chennai side who were reformed just by the addition of a couple of players to their squad.
However, with England’s players unlikely to feature in the final phase of the competition, CSK will be affected heavily as they will miss the likes of Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner, and Jaren Behrendorff. Out of these players, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali will be the biggest losses and both the Englishmen were performing outstandingly for Dhoni and co.
Moeen Ali was signed this year by the CSK and they were enjoying his batting and bowling displays but now, they can only hope that these players are deemed available. As far as CSK’s chances are concerned to perform in case of their key players missing, Chennai are still in a strong position to at least qualify for the top four spots as they need just three wins out of seven to completely ascertain their spot in the final four. Will MS Dhoni’s CSK produce a title-winning comeback?
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad were having their worst run of play in IPL 2021. With players likely to miss out, Sunrisers Hyderabad would be concerned as they were hugely reliant on the likes of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow this season, and both players are likely to be unavailable for the second phase of the IPL this season.
The players that are going to miss are David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Jason Holder. A team with only two points in eight games, you know that it's the end of their tournament. However, they still have a chance to climb up and who knows what could immense pressure lead this side to.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals were back in this season after a disappointing loss in the final of the 2020 season. This time under a new skipper, Rishabh Pant, Delhi performed precisely how their skipper would’ve wanted and contrived to claim wins in six of the eight matches they played.
The current leaders of the points table, Delhi Capitals could be boosted with another positive news as Shreyas Iyer is likely to feature in the second phase of the IPL after being ruled out of the tournament earlier due to a shoulder dislocation.
However, with his probable return, Delhi are set to lose some players as well. They are Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Tom Curran, and Sam Billings. Same as CSK, a spot in the top four seems not just a requirement but a must looking at the position they are in at the moment. Will the players leaving have a drastic effect on last season’s runners-up? Only time will tell.
Punjab Kings (PK)
A franchise that has always been one of the strongest on paper, Punjab Kings had a brilliant start to the competition. However, they haven’t managed to see out games properly and that is the biggest thing you need to win T20s. Consequently, the KL Rahul-led side has won only thrice out of the eight games played.
What’s worse is the kind of players they will be losing in the second phase of the tournament. The players are Dawid Malan, Chris Gayle, Jhye Richardson, Chris Jordan, Moses Henriques, Riley Meredith. Will Punjab make it to the top four? Well, if they do then that will mean they’ve already done enough to make an impact this season.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
A team that showed so much promise on paper, Kolkata are currently seventh in the IPL standings. Despite having so many big and influential names, Kolkata failed to put things together.
With the news of several players probably missing out on the second phase, Kolkata Knight Riders would be horrified not only because their skipper is also likely to miss the final phase, but the other names are also going to hurt the franchise as their replacements will not be enough to fill their void.
The players that are likely to miss are Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Shakib Al-Hasan, Ben Cutting, Sunil Narine, and Pat Cummins. You don’t want this when you are placed seventh on the table. The road to the top four is not impossible but the Indian players will have to step up.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
A team that is already going through a lot, Rajasthan Royals are one of the most severely affected teams that will get weaker once some of their foreign players miss out on the second phase. Rajasthan were already struggling in the tournament with just three wins out of seven. Losing their overseas options would only push them farther from the top four unless a miracle comes up to save them.
The players that are likely to miss are: Liam Livingstone, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Mustafizur Rehman, and Andrew Tye. The English players were going to be important for so many sides but now Rajasthan will have to fight their way and keep fighting until the end.
Note: The official confirmation about the mentioned players missing is yet to come out. Let’s see if things change before the tournament resumes.
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