IPL 2020 Special: Rating the Overseas Players of Each Team
Chennai Super Kings rightly have the strongest overseas players contingent rating among all the teams for IPL 2020.
The overseas contingent plays such an important role in the team’s success in the IPL that it is hard to overlook their capabilities, and what unique attributes they bring to the table. Even as we call it the ‘Indian’ Premier League, there are some teams that are actually driven by their overseas players.
Overall, every team has a solid group of overseas rock-stars, and it is important to analyze how each team has invested in these players, and what value do they add to the team’s strengths. On that note, let’s find out which team has the best pool of overseas players by comparing their rating.
Please note, the player ratings are defined basis the IPL benchmark players for each category. The players are relatively rated basis their last two IPL’s performance, and/or their current International form. So, here are the benchmark players in our 5 primary categories.
- Opener: David Warner
- Middle-order: Virat Kohli
- All-rounder: Hardik Pandya and Andre Russell
- Spinner: Rashid Khan
- Pacer: Jasprit Bumrah
Also, it is important to note that only overseas players’ ‘capabilities’ are compared here, and not how these players solve the gaps of the teams. The gaps analysis shall be done when we do a detailed ‘Team Rating’ of each team.
Alright then, let’s do a rating comparison of the overseas players of all the teams for IPL 2020.
#8: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8.5
Top-rated overseas player(s): AB de Villiers
Well, this is actually not surprising to see Royal Challengers Bangalore’s name at the bottom of top-ranked overseas players of a team. As we look at their overseas contingent, there’s only one name that stands-out when it comes to outstanding IPL and T20 performance globally, and that is of AB de Villiers.
While Aaron Finch, Dale Steyn, and Chris Morris are good, they either don’t have a compelling recent IPL record or haven’t played much in IPL even though they have been awesome in other forms of Cricket. Hence, their rating is marginally lower as compared to their companions.
Meanwhile, Moeen Ali is a solid addition to the squad, and is almost guaranteed to feature in the starting 11. Josh Philippe and Isuru Udana are wonderful talents, but they haven’t played in the IPL yet. Whereas, Kane Richardson has been a part of RCB in the past, but hasn’t impressed much.
#7: Delhi Capitals – 8.59
Top-rated overseas player(s): Kagiso Rabada
Surprisingly enough, Delhi Capitals actually have one of the strongest teams for IPL 2020. But, that’s predominantly because of their Indian firepower. The likes of Pant, Iyer, Dhawan, Ashwin, Mishra, etc. have all contributed to the team’s improved rating. However, their overseas contingent is ranked marginally lower with a rating of 8.59, which is not bad either.
Overall, Delhi Capitals have a balanced overseas attack with 3 batsmen, 3 all-rounders, and 2 bowlers. Kagiso Rabada is DC’s top-rated overseas player with a rating of 9.75. Except for Jasprit Bumrah, who is the benchmark, Rabada is on par with any other bowler in the IPL.
Jason Roy, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Woakes, Marcus Stoinis, and Sandeep Lamichhane have been in tremendous form in International and other Domestic Cricket, but are yet to make a significant impact in the IPL.
Keemo Paul did well for Delhi Capitals last season, but he is still a star in the making. Alex Carey, on the other hand, is a superb addition to Delhi Capitals’ squad, and he adds to the team’s finishing skills.
#6: RajasthanRoyals – 8.69
Top-rated overseas player(s): Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer
Rajasthan Royals are one of the two teams that are heavily dependent on their overseas contingent; SRH being the other. RR have a stunning overseas line-up with the attacking Jos Buttler at the top, and fiery Jofra Archer in the bowling department. Complementing them are Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, and David Miller, who add to RR’s strengths with their capabilities.
Two of the other three overseas players- Andrew Tye and Oshane Thomas add to RR’s bowling arsenal, but haven’t had the bests of 2019. In fact, both these players were dropped from their national side in few series last year.
Tom Curran is a solid add-on, and he would be interesting to watch. He may not play all the matches, but would certainly increase the batting and bowling depth if played for anyone of Buttler, Archer, Smith, or Stokes in their absence.
#5: Kolkata Knight Riders – 8.69
Top-rated overseas player(s): Andre Russell
Kolkata Knight Riders have the second-best group of primary 4 overseas players in the form of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan, and Pat Cummins with an average rating of 9.44. Still, they don’t make it to the top 3, and it is their inexperienced backups that are to be blamed.
If we observe KKR’s overseas contingent closely, you would observe that there’s no dearth of talent in the squad, but apart from Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, no other overseas player has experience in IPL. Compare it with that of MI or CSK, and you would see the difference.
Eoin Morgan, Pat Cummins, and Lockie Ferguson have been top performers in the International circuit in 2019, and two of these three are definitely going to feature in the starting playing 11. Whereas, Tom Banton, Chris Green, and Harry Gurney have their individual strengths, but they lack experience in the Indian conditions.
#4: Kings XI Punjab – 8.75
Top-rated overseas player(s): Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Kings XI Punjab have not one, but 3 top-rated players in the form of Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. All three share a rating of 9.25 with Glenn Maxwell not far behind with a rating of 9. However, only three of these four are certain to make the starting 11 owing to team combinations with the other being one of Sheldon Cottrell or Chris Jordan.
Cottrell and Jordan have been in terrific form playing for their national sides, and Hardus Viljoen has been good in domestic tournament he has played in 2019. James Neesham is another solid addition to KXIP’s line-up. If he gets a good game time, which looks difficult initially, he can be their trump card for IPL 2020.
#3: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.78
Top-rated overseas player(s): David Warner and Rashid Khan
2 out of the 6 benchmark players of the IPL belong to Sunrisers Hyderabad, and yet they don’t top the list of top-rated overseas players contingent among all teams. Why did this happen, and where is the gap?
Well, David Warner and Rashid Khan have been exceptional performers in all forms of cricket over the years. Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson, and Mohammad Nabi too aren’t far behind when it comes to performance in T20s in the last few years.
But, it is their backups in the form of Mitchell Marsh, Fabian Allen, and Billy Stanlake, who aren’t that much experienced in IPL, and haven’t played much of T20 cricket in 2019 either even though they have tremendous talent.
#2: Mumbai Indians – 8.81
Top-rated overseas player(s): Kieron Pollard, Quinton de Lock, Chris Lynn, Lasith Malinga, and Trent Boult
The top-rated overseas contingent saw a tough fight between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings with both having a strong mix of overseas players. While Mumbai Indians have solid overseas players for their playing 11, it is their backups that don’t inspire that much confidence as compared to CSK; only marginally though.
Nevertheless, it is so tough to find the top-rated overseas player for Mumbai Indians. There are 5 names that come to my mind, and they are so good with their individual forte that it is hard to separate them. Hence, MI’s top 5 players, Kieron Pollard, Quinton de Lock, Chris Lynn, Lasith Malinga, & Trent Boult get a same rating of 9.25.
The backups for Mumbai Indians include Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell McCleneghan, and Nathan Coulter-Nile. While all three are talented, and worthy backups, they don’t have a compelling recent IPL record to make them stand-out.
#1: Chennai Super Kings – 8.84
Top-rated overseas player(s): Imran Tahir
No more suspense here as Chennai Super Kings have the best pool of overseas players for IPL 2020. While CSK have a fantastic squad overall with a strong Indian core, their overseas contingent is good with a good mix of performers and achievers.
Imran Tahir is their best-rated overseas player with a rating of 9.5. He was not just the highest wicket-taker of IPL 2019, but has also been in stunning form in various domestic tournaments in 2019. The others who are equally good are Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, and Dwayne Bravo. These three have been CSK’s backbone over the years, and would continue to be in IPL 2020.
Lungi Ngidi is the team’s best overseas pacer, and Josh Hazlewood is a brilliant backup pacer. Sam Curran is a brilliant backup all-rounder for CSK, who could come handy in seam-friendly conditions. Mitchell Santner, on the other hand, might maintain a low profile, but he was last year’s best bowler in T20Is, and he is a wily fox.
So, that’s how the rating of all the teams stand when it comes to overseas players for IPL 2020. Also, as we revisit the top overseas players of each team, here is the strongest playing 11 of overseas players for IPL 2020.
Top-rated overseas players playing 11 for IPL 2020:
David Warner, Sunil Narine, Jos Buttler (WK), Kane Williamson (C), AB de Villiers, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, and Imran Tahir.
Thanks for reading! Are you happy with the overseas players rating for IPL 2020? Please, share your thoughts on business@cricalytics.com
ALSO READ: IPL 2020: Auction Buys and Complete Squad list of all Teams
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
Pingback: India vs Aus: Top Knocks by Indian Batsmen against Australia in ODIs