IPL 2020 UAE: The Strongest Playing 11 with Overseas Players

David Warner to lead the team as we find the strongest and best playing 11 of only Overseas players for IPL 2020 UAE.

After having announced the official IPL 2020 schedule on Sunday, the stage is all set for the IPL fireworks to begin. While the Indian contingent has already settled in the UAE, the foreign players are slowly merging with their respective units.

As much as the competition is about Indian players, you just cannot undermine the importance of foreign players. The fact that 10 overseas stars have won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in the last 12 seasons of IPL so far is evidence of the same. Moreover, some teams like Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders are so much dependant on overseas players that without them, they stand no chance of winning. 

With that, it brings us to a unique though of building a strongest playing 11 consisting of only overseas players. Courtesy of the big gap due to the pandemic, there are no injury problems to all star players, and hence, the competition to make it to this squad will be full-fledged.

Methodology:

Consistency and current form would be the key criteria for selection to the squad. While IPL performance in the last two years would be the main filter, International/Domestic data has also been analyzed wherever relevant to weigh equivalent prospects. So, without wasting much time, let’s dive into the best 11 Of Overseas players for IPL 2020 UAE.

Openers:

David Warner (C) (SRH) || Jos Buttler (WK) (RR)

The duo has played very few T20Is for their respective nations in recent months. While Warner faced the brunt of his ban, Buttler did not bat for England in T20Is last year. However, for their franchises, if there was ever a possible rule, they would be sent to face all the 120 deliveries in the innings. Such is the impact of these two cricketers that it is hard to imagine SRH and RR without them.

Although the likes of Quinton de Kock and Chris Gayle offer good competition, Warner and Buttler come into the squad just because of their consistency. While the Aussie won the Orange Cap last season, Buttler, whenever he has been available, has been a key run-scorer for Rajasthan.

Middle-order:

Kane Williamson (SRH) || AB de Villiers (RCB) || Glenn Maxwell (KXIP)

The last IPL edition was slightly underwhelming for Kane as he returned with just 156 runs from nine games, but in IPL 2019, Kane emerged as the Orange cap winner with over 700 runs. Also, on his day, the team he represents can always be confident of a win, and for New Zealand, he is one of the most important batsmen.

Talking about AB de Villiers, it wouldn’t be a mistake if you say that we have blindly picked the South African in this squad. Yet, the stats still support our call. Mr. 360 accumulated 922 runs in the last two editions, all while maintaining a strike-rate over 150. He is an impact player, and by no means could we have denied him a place in this line-up.

Batting at No.5 in this XI is the explosive batsman from Australia, Glenn Maxwell. He missed the IPL last season, and hasn’t played for much for his country too. However, we are quite aware of his capabilities, and his IPL 2014 UAE stats are unmatched. Hence, he beats the likes of Steve Smith and Eoin Morgan to make it to this team.

All-rounders:

Kieron Pollard (MI) || Andre Russell (KKR) || Rashid Khan (SRH)

Apart from Glenn Maxwell’s utility as a bowler, here is an all-round trio that would scare any opposition team. While Kieron Pollard is a batting powerhouse, Rashid is a 24-ball problem for the batsmen. In the middle of both is a maniac known as Andre Russell.

For Pollard, it is fine if you consider him as a pure batsman. It has been four seasons since he scalped a wicket, however, the table could turn this year as he has been bowling a lot, and UAE pitches could just be perfect for him. Nonetheless, the franchise would expect more in the batting department from the big West Indian. Pollard scored 279 runs from 16 games in 2019, and he would surely look to better the record in the forthcoming edition.

24 wickets and 826 runs in two seasons is an excellent stat for a guy who gets to operate for very little time on the pitch. Now, it is left to your imagination as to what would happen if KKR decide to play Andre Russell at number 3 or 4. The Most Valuable Player of IPL 2019, could well be the player to watch out for in IPL 2020. 

At such a young age, it is amazing to note that Rashid Khan has picked 55 wickets in his 3-season IPL career so far. Rashid is by far the number-one spinner in the world, and if his pinch-hitting comes off, the youngster can do unthinkable things in the tournament.

Bowlers:

Kagiso Rabada (DC) || Jofra Archer (RR) || Imran Tahir (CSK)

While not much has occurred on the international front, Kagiso Rabada has been on point for Delhi Capitals in the IPL. The Proteas pacer picked up 25 wickets at an economy of 7.82 in the last edition, and emerged as the leader of the bowling pack. He sure will serve the same role in the upcoming season too.

Jofra has not played much of T20Is, and hence, it is apt to consider his stats in the domestic circuit. While the Englishman collected 26 wickets from 91.1 overs in 2019, the turnover in 2018 was 61 wickets from 152.2 overs. He is a developing cricketer, but for Rajasthan, Jofra would be the primary weapon in the bowling unit.

A traveler across the globe, Imran Tahir is one of the best overseas spinners in the competition. He has the knack of accumulating wickets, and with plenty of franchise cricket experience behind him, the South African leggie is an easy pick to this team.

So, that completes the strongest playing 11 consisting of only overseas players for IPL 2020. If we talk about reserves, we have Chris Gayle and Quinton de Kock as openers, Steve Smith, Eoin Morgan, and Ben Stokes in the middle-order, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo as all-rounders, and Mitchell Santner, Pat Cummins, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Trent Boult as bowlers.

The Best and Strongest Playing 11 of Overseas Players for IPL 2020 UAE:

David Warner (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Kane Williamson, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, and Imran Tahir.

Thanks for reading! Do you think we got the playing 11 right, or do you foresee any replacements? Please, let us know in the comments.

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