IPL 2020: The best performer this season for each team

IPL 2020: The best performer this season for each team

The Indian Premier League 2020 has finally come to an end. As the dust settles amidst a familiar result of a Mumbai Indians (MI) title triumph, it is now time to look back at what was an enthralling season that saw the best brand of cricket being played by all 8 teams despite the absence of crowds in the stadiums.

This year was arguably the most competitive one in the IPL, in the sense that all three teams were locked on 12 points and three others were on 14. The competition was close and the issue of who qualifies for the playoffs wasn’t resolved till the very end as teams fought it out and gave it their best shot in the global spectacle. Each team got to where they were due to the combined efforts of all members of the team. But there is always bound to be that one player who offered extra and was in scintillating form throughout. We choose that one player from each of the 8 teams:

Mumbai Indians – Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah pumped up after a wicket

Jasprit Bumrah has been proving time and again with his consistent performances that he is destined to be one of the greats when it comes to pace bowling. This year was no different as the the 26-year-old terrorized batsmen with his pace, bounce and yorkers and ended up picking 27 wickets. Ask Shikhar Dhawan who was castled by an unplayable delivery in Qualifier-1.

Bumrah was among the most economical bowlers in the tournament as well. His bowling average of 14 was the best in the tournament. He formed a formidable partnership with Trent Boult as the duo took in excess of 50 wickets. If Bumrah continues in the vein which he will in all probability, MI will be in good stead of challenging for the IPL title year after year.

Delhi Capitals – Kagiso Rabada

Picking up 30 scalps in a T20 tournament where you can play a maximum of 17 matches is no joke. But that was exactly what Kagiso Rabada effortlessly pulled for the Delhi Capitals (DC). It seemed almost destined that Rabada would pick up a wicket in every game he plays. Only in a mere 2 matches did the South African go wicketless.

Rabada’s bowling at the death was instrumental in helping DC make their way to their first ever IPL final. His fearsome partnership with fellow South African quick Anrich Nortje was spectacular to watch as the two kept troubling batsmen with sheer pace. Rabada deservedly walked home with the Purple Cap but he would have loved to have the IPL trophy as well. But given his talent, Rabada will come back in the same vein next year as well.

Sunrisers Hyderabad – David Warner

Choosing the best player for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) seems like a no-brainer every year because you know it is going to be David Warner. The SRH captain has been carrying his team right from the time he joined them. He is their beloved ‘Butta Bomma’ and the Australian has delivered nearly each and every time for his franchise.

In this year’s IPL, although Warner didn’t get a single Man of the Match award, he always was among the runs. His run tally of 548 which is behind only Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul is testament to that. Undoubtedly one of the greats of the IPL and a contender for the GOAT of IPL, Warner is sure to come back even stronger next year.

Royal Challengers Bangalore – AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a season of ups and downs which ended in all too familiar fashion with a defeat in the Eliminator. The IPL trophy continues to elude the franchise as it searches year after year for team balance. This year they seemed to have got it right but towards the end, familiar problems started to surface. Players’ inconsistency didn’t help either.

But one person who was consistent was the ever-dependable AB de Villiers. The South African scored 454 runs this season and won as many as three matches for his side single-handedly. Although Devdutt Padikkal scored more runs than de Villiers, ABD is clearly the best performer for RCB because of how ‘clutch’ his knocks were.

Kolkata Knight Riders – Varun Chakravarthy

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were another side that failed to find the right team combination and struggled with inconsistency. But one player who shone throughout the season and came as a surprise package was Varun Chakravarthy. Batters from each and every team found the spinner’s mystery spin extremely difficult to read. His clever changes of pace fooled them more often than not.

The 29-year-old returned 18 scalps for his franchise, 2 of which were that of the legendary MS Dhoni (the mode of dismissal was bowled both times). Chakravarthy’s exploits also earned him a national call-up. However, he has been replaced by T Natarajan because of a shoulder injury. But Chakravarthy will know his time to don the national jersey will come soon.

Kings XI Punjab – KL Rahul

There can be no disputes about this choice. Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) were led from the front by their captain KL Rahul and his consistent batting exploits. The opener scored 670 runs for his franchise from just 14 matches and walked home with the Orange Cap. Rahul seemed unshakable as bowlers tried in vain to get him out in nearly every match.

Rahul averaged a massive 55 runs per match which as a opener in T20s is nothing short of phenomenal. Rahul’s season peaked when he hit a stunning century against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and became the Indian with the highest individual score in IPL history. Rahul will now look to continue his rich vein of form in India’s tour of Australia as well.

Chennai Super Kings – Sam Curran

In what was a strange, unfamiliar and below-par season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), there was a shining spark in the form of their youngest player Sam Curran. Bought at the auction last year, the Englishman was inducted into the playing XI from the very first match and thanks to his performances, became a mainstay and vital cog in CSK’s wheel.

The all-rounder was brilliant with both bat and ball throughout the tournament. He bowled well in the Powerplay and at the death. He batted well in the Powerplay (when he was promoted up the order) and at the death. He was a livewire in the field. His exuberance and consistency made him by far the best performer for CSK this season. His 186 runs and 13 wickets might not seem too impressive but based on the impact they had, they sure were.

Rajasthan Royals – Jofra Archer

Not often do you see a player from the last placed team in the league walk home with the Most Valuable Player award. But such was the brilliance and consistency of Jofra Archer that the Rajasthan Royals pacer did exactly that. Archer was unplayable throughout the season. Batsmen that went after him were dismissed and the others had to be content with playing him out.

Archer picked up 20 wickets this season and had an excellent economy of 6.55. The Englishman came good with the bat when called upon as well. He hit 10 huge sixes over the course of this season. He was a huge positive for his franchise in what was very clearly a disappointing season for them.

Also Read: Top 5 Bowling Performances of the Season