IPL 2020 is almost upon us – here are all the overseas players you have to keep an eye on during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.
A plethora of cricketing superstars, Indian and overseas, have assembled in the UAE over the last month, and are all set to bring you the most anticipated T20 franchise tournament in the world – the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL has paved the way for plenty of Indian superstars over the years, but the reason why it is considered the premier franchise tournament in world cricket is because it affords overseas superstars the same chance to stardom.
The likes of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Sunil Narine and David Warner have, over the years, changed the T20 landscape with their performances in the IPL. More of the same is expected at IPL 2020.
So, before Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, take on Chennai Super Kings in the season opener on Saturday, we take a look at the overseas players who can play a defining role in their team’s quest for the title.
The usual suspects
IPL 2020 overseas players: David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
126 IPL matches, 4706 runs @ 43.17, strike-rate: 142.39
IPL’s most prolific overseas batsman with 4,706 runs, Warner will aim for a fourth Orange Cap in six years, having achieved the feat in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The Australian will continue to lead the Hyderabad-based franchise from the front, both figuratively and literally. Along with Kane Williamson, he will also carry the burden of the side’s run-making responsibilities.
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My favourite IPL moment would have to be this for sure. My Indian family @sunrisershyd
AB de Villiers, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
154 IPL matches, 4395 runs@39.95, strike-rate: 151.23
Having joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011, de Villiers has been one of their three most important batsmen in the past decade, alongside captain Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, who moved to the Kings XI Punjab ahead of IPL 2018. With 4,395 runs, de Villiers is also the third-highest overseas run-getter in IPL history. RCB are infamously yet to win the IPL, despite making the finals on three occasions. If they are to break that streak this year, de Villiers has to be close to his best.
Josh Philippe, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
32 T20s, 798 runs@33.25, strike-rate: 138.30
The Australian wicketkeeper-batsman is yet to represent his country at the international level, but has the potential to be one of the surprise packages of the tournament. In his two full BBL campaigns, the opening batsman has scored 304 and 487 runs respectively, finishing the 2019/20 BBL season as the second-highest run-getter. He was the Player of the Match in the final as well, scoring 52 runs in a low-scoring match. Philippe might have to spend some time warming the bench with Australia captain Aaron Finch opening the innings for RCB. But if he does get an opportunity, expect big things.
