IPL 2021: 5 players who are likely to flourish in the UAE conditions
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) provided top-class entertainment to the cricket fraternity and kept the fans hooked to their television screens. However, in a disappointing turn of events, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was forced to postpone the T20 Championship after hosting just 29 fixtures.
The remaining matches of IPL 2021 are likely to be hosted in the September-October window in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The venue change can work wonders for some players as it will provide them with an opportunity to start fresh and find their lost form.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal
The ace leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is one of the most successful spinners in the IPL. However, the Haryana stalwart wasn’t experiencing an ideal outing in the 14th edition of the T20 Championship. Chahal failed to find his rhythm and couldn’t manage to pose any threat to the opposition batters. The leg-spinner played all seven matches for the Bangalore outfit but managed to pick just four wickets.
With IPL 2021 now shifting to the United Arab Emirates, Chahal will be hoping to experience a different ride in the remaining matches of the league. The bowler was the highest wicket-taker among the spinner in IPL 2020, hosted in UAE last year. He picked 21 wickets from 15 matches.
4. Rahul Tewatia
The Sharjah Cricket Ground holds a special place in spin all-rounder Rahul Tewatia’s career. Tewatia became a known personality among all the cricket fans after he smacked as many as five sixes off Sheldon Cottrell during IPL 2020.
In 14 matches in the UAE, he scored 255 runs at an average of 42.50 and a strike rate of 139.34. The 28-year-old also picked up ten wickets with the ball while bowling at an economy rate of 7.08. However, the Haryana-born failed to weave the same magic in the 2021 edition of the T20 extravaganza.
3. Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine has proved to be an invaluable asset to the Knight Riders team. In 124 IPL matches, the 32-year-old has scored 902 runs at a strike rate of 161.6. He has also picked 130 wickets at an economy rate of 6.78 and an average of 25.1. However, Sunil’s run in the 14th edition of the competition was filled with disappointments as he failed to help the franchise in dominating the league.
The 33-year-old featured in just four games in IPL 2021 while scoring 10 runs and picking four wickets. Narine’s poor form reflected in KKR’s performance too as they won just two matches out of seven played in IPL 2021. If the two-time champion wants to change their fortunes, then it will be important for the Caribbean superstar to be at his fluent best with the willow and ball.
2. Ishan Kishan
The young left-handed batsman Ishan Kishan was a revelation for defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) during the 2020 edition. Ishan was the highest run-getter for Mumbai in IPL 2020 with 516 runs at an average of 57.33 and a strike rate of 145.76. The splendid performance in IPL 2020 also caught the attention of the Team India selectors and Kishan made his debut for Men in Blue.
However, the 22-year-old couldn’t carry his blistering form in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. He succumbed to a disastrous outing with just 73 runs from five matches. Kishan was also dropped from Mumbai Indians playing XI due to poor form. With IPL 2021 now rescheduled in UAE, Ishan Kishan will be hoping to do an IPL 2020 again.
1. Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis made heads turn with his blistering all-round performance in 2020 IPL. He was the wrecker-in-chief for the Delhi Capitals (DC) as they reached the final. The 31-year-old was expected to produce a repeat telecast in the 14th edition. However, the Australian cricketer flattened on the Indian pitches and hardly managed to make any winning contribution. Playing all eight games for Delhi, Stoinis picked just two wickets while bowling at an economy rate of 10.90.
As far as batting is concerned, the 31-year-old was unimpressive as well and ended up with just 71 runs at an average of 23.66. Delhi Capitals are deemed as the favourites to win their maiden title in IPL 2021. However, if the franchise really wishes to complete this dream, then Marcus Stoinis must find his lost rhythm.
