India Premier League is a stage where talent meets opportunities. The eyes of the world are set on all the players featuring in the most prominent T20 league in the world. The finest international cricketers of the world combined with the best domestic talent of India. To stand out in the IPL is no easy task by any stretch of the imagination as the cricket on display is of the highest level.
If a player is acknowledged as the most valuable player in the IPL, he earns the respect of all his contemporaries. In 2013, IPL preceded a special point system to reward the most valuable player of the tournament. The division of points are as followed, 2.5 points for every four, 3.5 for a six and a wicket, 2.5 stumping/ catch and 1 for a dot ball.
On that note, since the IPL 2020 is all set to take place between September 19- November 10 in UAE. We try to dig and find out who are those 5 prime contenders that can claim the coveted ‘MVP’ title this year.
Here are 5 MVP Contenders For IPL 2020:
5. KL Rahul
The elegant run machine at the top of the order KL Rahul comes in at number 5. Rahul is currently one of the best T20 batsmen in the world. This year for the first he will be leading the Kings XI Punjab franchise in IPL this year. There is absolutely no reason why the stylish batsman will not be in the list of MVP contenders of IPL 2020. You watch him bat and you will just be mesmerised with the range of shots in his arsenal.
The 28-year-old will have a major role to play for his side this year and will have to lead from the front with the bat in hand. KL Rahul has a remarkable IPL record as he has so far scored 1977 runs at an average of 42 and at a strike rate of touching 140. Watch out for him this season as he will entertain everyone with his magical batting the entire season.
4. Rishabh Pant
If you use ‘box office’ for sportsperson you will apply that term for Rishabh Pant. His international career so far may be patchy but he is a different player when it comes to IPL. When Pant plays in the IPL, it seems he doesn’t have any care in the world and hits sixes and fours at will. He has dominated every quality domestic and international bowler in his IPL career so far.
The pitches in UAE will suit the batting style of Rishabh Pant which makes him one of the sure-shot contenders to win the MVP for IPL 2020. On top of that, his glovework behind the stumps will also earn him several points. The 22-year-old is an entertainer and a nightmare for any bowler, especially in the Indian Premier League.
If you look at his record in the IPL so far, his numbers are staggering. In the 54 matches that he has played, Pant has amassed 1736 runs at an average of 36 but his strike rate of above 162 makes him unique. The destructive southpaw will be looking to emulate these numbers again this season when he takes the field for Delhi Capitals.
3. Andre Russell
The list will be incomplete with a certain Andre Russell. After all, he is a proper all-rounder and performs in all departments for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Russell is no stranger to the big stage of the cash-rich league. He has been there and done that as he has already won the title of ‘MVP’ two times. Russell is only one of three cricketers to win the award 2 times.
He won the title in 2015 and 2019 respectively and will be featuring in the league this year as a defending champion of the prized ‘MVP’ crown. The big Jamaican is one of the feared T20 batsman in the world can change a course of a match in just a few overs.
Talking about his IPL numbers, they are freakish that proves that Russell is a once in a generation T20 player. 64 matches, 1400 runs, average 34, Strike Rate, 187, 55 wickets well what else do you need from a player. The conclusion he is one of the greatest T20 players of all time.
2. AB de Villiers
When an opposition player plays a match in India and the fans cheer louder for him that can only mean that AB de Villiers is on the cricket field. Mr.360 has been a legendary performer in the IPL and has entertained fans through his unimaginable batting. Even though AB retired from international cricket in 2018, he never lost his touch. Whenever and wherever he plays cricket he looks at his best and fans just marvel over the talent that this man possesses.
IPL 2020 is big for not only AB but for the entire Royal Challengers Bangalore. Great players like AB need a big stage and a reason to perform that automatically allows them to raise their game. RCB would want that AB in all games activate his ‘Beast Mode’ and outperforms everyone.
AB still hasn’t won the ‘MVP’ title so far. And IPL 2020 may just be the edition where he through his incredible performances not only become ‘MVP’ but also win that elusive IPL trophy. If you take a look at his record, it will show you how precious is the talent of this wizard South African. 154 matches, 4395 runs, an average of 40 and strike rate 152 makes him an unequalled great.
1. Ben Stokes
Possibly the most valuable cricketer in the world right now, Ben Stokes is a crown in the jewel of Rajasthan Royals. The 29-year-old is going through a golden run in which he has produced some outstanding performances. He can win matches with the bat, ball and even in the field which makes him a rare and valuable commodity.
Stokes won the ‘MVP’ title in the year 2017 when he represented the Rising Pune Supergiants. Since then the star all-rounder has had a fairly quiet time in the IPL.
The incredible all-rounder will be looking to make this season his own and repeat his 2017 heroics. He will be one of the superior contenders to be the ‘MVP’ of IPL 2020 as he is at present one of the leading crickets in the world. Rajasthan Royal would hope that Stokes is at his best this year and like he helped England win the World Cup last year, he does the same for them in UAE.