The much-awaited UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to start from September 17, 2021. The schedule is yet to be released but the preparations have already started.
The first phase of Indian Premier League franchises 2021, witnessed 29 matches before it was suspended due to COVID concerns. With phase two being held in UAE, the franchises will look to take a fresh guard.
As the previous season of the IPL, was held in UAE, the players have an exact idea of how the conditions are, and what is the perfect game plan.
In this article, we will take a look at players from each franchise who can dominate the UAE IPL leg.
1. Delhi Capitals: Shikhar Dhawan
The opening batsman of Delhi Capitals, Shikhar Dhawan was the leading run-scorer for his team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. The left-hander scored 618 runs in 17 matches at an average of 44.14 runs and was second in the most runs tally.
Shikhar Dhawan continued his supreme form in IPL 2021 and is the leading run-scorer across franchises this season. In the absence of the Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer, Dhawan took the responsibility of holding the DC batting line-up together. He has managed to score 380 runs in 8 games so far and is also a strong contender to win the orange cap this season.
Dhawan’s present form and his numbers playing in IPL 2020 in the UAE, makes him one of the most dangerous batsman in the upcoming UAE leg of IPL 2021.
2. Punjab Kings: KL Rahul
KL Rahul was the orange cap winner in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. He played 14 games and scored 670 runs at an average of 55.38 runs.
While his team struggled in the India leg of IPL 2021, KL Rahul’s batting was unruffled. The opening batsman scored 331 runs in 7 games including a 91* against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Ahmedabad.
KL Rahul has the added responsibility of leading his side, but as we have witnessed it in IPL 2020, it only brings the best out of him as a batsman. The Punjab Kings are placed at position 6 in the points table and will want that their skipper to continue his domination in the UAE for the franchise to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockouts.
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Williamson
The Sunrisers Hyderabad will be hoping that their newly appointed skipper Kane Williamson spreads his magic in the UAE leg of IPL 2021.
Their opening batsman, David Warner was nowhere close to his best in the first phase of IPL 2021. He was replaced as the skipper mid-way through the season by Kane Williamson. The Sunrisers place at the bottom of the table currently having lost four of their last five games. Though Kane Williamson did not play a lot in IPL 2021, he has always managed to get runs in the limited opportunities he’s got at the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Williamsons’ compact batting technique and his ability to run the game at a good pace is what makes him the batsman to watch out for in the Sunrisers Hyderabad side.
4. Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli
Royal Challengers Bangalore Skipper Virat Kohli did not have the best of runs in the first phase of the Indian Premier League 2021. But with the caliber that Virat Kohli possesses, no one can deny that he is RCB’s best batting bet.
The Royals Challengers Bangalore franchise is going through one of its best years in the India Premier League. They are third in the points table, having won five of their seven games so far. Captain Virat Kohli was the second-highest run-getter for them last season. The right-hander averaged 42.36 in 15 matches including a 90* against CSK.
The Bangalore-based franchise will look to continue its good run in the second phase. Virat Kohli will hold the key, for the Royal Challengers Bangalore to win their first-ever IPL title.
5. Mumbai Indians : Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is the spearhead of the Mumbai Indians bowling line-up. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League 2020. He picked up 27 wickets in 15 matches with the best figures of 4/14 against Delhi Capitals.
The right-arm pacer is also the third-highest wicket-taker, with 115 wickets for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. He is Rohit Sharma’s go-to man in crucial situations, and Jasprit Bumrah has never let his skipper down.
With the skill that Jasprit Bumrah possesses, he is a serious threat to the opposition teams in the second leg of the Indian Premier League 2021.
6. Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell
The mighty Andre Russell has often proved to be hazardous for opposition teams. His ability to hit long sixes at will completely change the momentum of the match.
The Kolkata Knight Riders will most probably be without the services of their Skipper Eoin Morgan. Which makes Russell’s role in the middle order even more important. KKR are placed at seventh position in the points. Only Nitish Rana had a fairly good run in the first phase, while the rest others found it difficult to get going.
The Kolkata Knight Riders will back the likes of Shubman Gill and Andre Russell to change their fortunes in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League 2021.
7. Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson
The Rajasthan Royals team will also be without their premier batsman Joss Butler and star all-rounder Ben Stokes in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Their skipper Sanju Samson had a good first half of IPL 2021. He managed to score 277 runs in 7 games at an average of 46.16 runs. His century against the Punjab Kings went in vain, as his side fell four runs short in the chase.
Sanju also had a decent run in the Indian Premier League 2020, which was held in UAE. He was the leading run-scorer for his franchise with 375 runs in 14 games, which include three half-centuries.
Rajasthan Royals who are currently fifth in the points table will need their skipper Sanju Samson to rise to the occasion.
8. Chennai Super Kings: Faf Du Plessis
Faf Du Plessis has been a run-machine for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League 2021 so far. The South African batsman averages 64 this season in 7 games, including 4 half-centuries.
The Chennai Super Kings are placed second in the points table with five wins in seven games. Faf Du Plessis deserves much credit for CSK’s top performance in IPL 2021 so far. With the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Suresh Raina struggling, Faf Du Plessis provides the much-needed solidity to the CSK batting line-up.
Even in IPL 2020, Du Plessis was CSK’s leading run-scorer with 449 runs in 13 games. His reliability at the top gives an opportunity to the middle order players to play freely. The Chennai Super Kings will back Faf Du Plessis to continue his good run in the UAE leg of the tournament.
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