After 56 games packed in a month and a half, the top four teams secured the playoffs spots in IPL 2020, marking an end to the season for Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

Three out of the four eliminated teams – Punjab, Kolkata and Rajasthan – had a realistic chance of making it to the playoffs even till their last league game, highlighting how close the race to the finish was. Each team had a few standout performers from their overseas contingent, while also having certain foreign recruits who just couldn’t take off in this competition.

Kings XI Punjab

Hit: Chris Gayle

288 runs @ 41.14, strike-rate: 137.14, high score: 99

In hindsight, it feels inexplicable that Gayle played only half of KXIP’s league games. At 41, he shut detractors yet again, bringing out his big-hitting game in his newly-occupied No.3 position. Out came three fifties and a best of 99 – one short of what could have been his seventh IPL ton. The uninhibited scoring, resplendent with his patented hoicks and lofted drives, made a spectacular re-appearance but weren’t enough to take his team through.

Miss: Glenn Maxwell

108 runs @ 15.42, strike-rate: 101.88, high score: 32

Maxwell’s stock in the IPL continue to plummet with each passing season. Back in the tournament after a year’s gap, Maxwell was supposed to be the engine of Punjab’s middle order, but spluttered through the season, managing just one 30-plus score. The fact that he did not hit a single six off the 106 deliveries faced encapsulates a rather dismal outing.

Maxwell in #IPL2020: 1, 5, 13*, 11, 11*, 7, 10*, 0, 32, 12

But why change a winning combination? 🤣#KXIP pic.twitter.com/4as6jSzZSH

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 29, 2020

Rajasthan Royals

Hit: Jofra Archer

20 wickets @18.25, economy: 6.55; 118 runs @ 18.83

He took some time to warm up, but once Archer was in his element with the ball, he appeared unstoppable. He produced some searing spells with the new ball, turning on the heat with his rapid pace and subtle movement off the pitch. It wasn’t just the wickets – Archer bowled 175 dot balls in the league stage, 22 more than the next best, and went home with an enviable economy-rate of 6.55. As a bonus, Archer was brutal with the bat down the order, striking the ball at 179.

Miss: Steve Smith

311 runs @ 25.91, strike-rate: 131.22, high score: 69

Three fifties and a tally of 311 runs could be deemed a decent season for most, but Steve Smith’s inconsistent returns at the top played a part in Royals’ finish in the bottom four. After back-to-back fifties in the first two games, Smith managed a total of 44 runs in his next six games, crossing into double digits only once. He managed a couple of starts in the following games, but the sluggish approach couldn’t materialise into match-winning scores when needed the most.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Hit: Eoin Morgan

418 runs @41.80, strike-rate: 138.41, high score: 68*

Unflappable even in demanding run chases, Morgan was the glue that held KKR’s middle order together amid inconsistent showings from the rest. Midway through, he was handed captaincy, but the runs kept flowing out of his bat.

He crossed fifty only once, but there were plenty of important 30s and 40s, especially in the latter stages of the innings. He hit 24 sixes, the fourth-highest tally in the tournament, steering KKR to the edge of a playoffs finish.

Miss: Andre Russell

117 runs @13.00, strike-rate: 144.44; 6 wickets @29.16, economy: 9.72

Before IPL 2020, David Hussey predicted that Russell could end up scoring double century if he batted at No.3. Sadly for KKR, Russell couldn’t cross 25 even once, managing a combined 117 runs in ten games while battling a hamstring tear throughout the season.

The dried-up run column next to Russell’s name, and the lack of big-hitting that he is renowned for, hurt KKR’s chances in their hunt for a playoffs spot. He did well to pluck six wickets despite the injury, but an economy rate of 9.72 signified that he was nowhere near his best.

Chennai Super Kings

Hit: Faf du Plessis

449 runs @40.81, strike-rate: 140.75, high score: 87*

The Super Kings might look for an overhaul next year, but would want to keep Faf du Plessis in consideration, especially after his unrestrained approach through the season. Du Plessis ensured that Chennai maintained a healthy rate through the powerplay, often batting beyond the first six overs to anchor the innings. The enterprising batsmen didn’t shy away from trying out his scoops, laps and sweeps, ending with, statistically, his most successful season.

That's 11 catches in #IPL2020 for Faf du Plessis, four more than the next highest on the list.

Gun fielder. pic.twitter.com/rhmn6XLGN4

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 25, 2020

Miss: Dwayne Bravo

6 wickets @30.00, economy: 8.57; 7 runs @3.50, strike-rate: 116.66

Bravo entered the CSK camp on the back of a title win with the Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2020 but didn’t enjoy the same success with his IPL side. The entry was belated, owing to an existing injury, but when Bravo did walk out, he looked like a pale shadow of himself, adopting a conserved, listless approach with the ball through his six games. There was hardly any impact with the bat either – he batted in two innings, managing 7 & 0.