Ever since its inception, the Indian Premier League became a league of eminence and stature. It had a unique vision and exclusive ideology that replenished the sport and gave it a new dimension. IPL has inculcated immense commerce in cricket. It has generated city-based cults like never before and has thrown the stage open for cricket beyond nations.

There was not much to look beyond international cricket earlier, but IPL broke the orthodoxy and brought refreshing changes. It has done wonders in terms of giving a platform to those who were restricted to narrower worlds and has ensured their interaction with the best in the business. It is through IPL that many found footing, became players of substance, and later gained prominence in the international arena.

If not for this ghastly pandemic, IPL’s current season would have been long over. However, the dates for the marquee event are yet to be announced as the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-bcci-to-seek-governments-advice-to-stage-ipl-2020-in-maharashtra-or-uae/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BCCI </a>has been constantly mulling over the available slots and possibilities of conduct. There have been innumerable speculations pertaining to the tournament, the presence of overseas players, the organizing, and the logistics, however, not much has been confirmed officially as yet.

One of highlighting features of the IPL has been the intermingling of players from across the globe and their unison under one roof of franchise-based cricket. Over the years, many foreign players have built such strong emotional connect with the fan base of their franchise that they have become dearer to the supporters than the national players. From the perspective of making an impact in the tournament as well, the contribution of overseas players has been enormous.

Assuming that the IPL will be held in the presence of overseas players, let’s take a look at the strongest 4 overseas contenders for every franchise this year:

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429362" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-Aaron-Finch-Chris-Morris-and-Dale-Steyn.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers, Aaron Finch, Chris Morris and Dale Steyn" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429362" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers, Aaron Finch, Chris Morris and Dale Steyn. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li>AB de Villiers – AB is an absolute giant no matter which format of the game. Given his batting pyrotechnics, cunning wicket-keeping, and astounding fielding abilities, he is a default pick in the side. Being away from all forms of cricket since long, it remains to be seen how he comes out after such an extended spell of inactivity. Having said that, he is ABD and there is barely a thing he cannot do on the field.</li><li> Aaron Finch – A valuable new addition in the side, this Victorian is known for his explosive and belligerent batting up the order. Having played for as many as 7 different IPL franchises in his IPL career, ‘Finchy’ was picked by the RCB last year. He is a competitive cricketer with ample experience in limited-overs cricket and will strengthen the top-order of RCB in the coming edition.</li><li> Chris Morris – The versatile quick from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/30-former-south-africa-cricketers-issue-statement-in-support-of-black-lives-matter-movement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Africa</a> has the ability to bowl during any segment of the game. Morris has been a handy death-bowler as well as someone who has troubled batsmen with the new ball straight up. Apart from his sorted bowling skills, he is also known for his dangerous striking down the order. Even though his looks may suggest otherwise, Morris has the power to clear the boundary at will.</li><li> Dale Steyn – The ferocious and ruthless speedster from South Africa needs no introduction whatsoever. The ‘Steyn-gun’ has been firing down batsmen of all kinds since long and his run is going to continue without any restriction this year as well. RCB had certain issues, specifically in their overseas-pace department, but having picked the likes of Kane Richardson and Isuru Udana around Steyn this year, their bowling unit has been revamped for the good.</li>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429363" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/David-Warner-Jonny-Bairstow-Rashid-Khan-and-Billy-stanlake.jpg" alt="David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Rashid Khan and Billy stanlake" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429363" class="wp-caption-text">David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Rashid Khan and Billy Stanlake. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li> David Warner – The swashbuckling southpaw from Australia has been the foundation of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s top-order. Warner bleeds aggression and can dent the confidence of any bowler through his explosive batting talent. When it comes to fielding, there are few who can match his standard of agility. The three-time Orange-Cap-winner has been unarguably one of the most consistent and dependable performers in the history of the league.</li><li> Jonny Bairstow – An obstinate right-hand batsman, this Yorkshireman is a recent entrant in the “Orange Army”. Opening with Warner, he provides a left-right hand combination which is unsettling and challenging for most of the bowlers. Bairstow is one mature contender who has shown his ability to adapt and mould his game as per situations. Apart from his pursuits with the bat, he is quite a decent wicket-keeping option for his side.</li><li> Rashid Khan –The enigmatic leg-spinner from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/he-wants-to-be-like-salman-khan-fans-troll-rashid-khan-after-he-says-hell-get-married-once-afghanistan-win-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Afghanistan</a>, Rashid, has troubled batsmen from all over the world. With his ability to mix his stock ball with an unreadable googly and pitching the ball in the right areas, he contains the run-scoring immensely. Whereas the other time he catches many by surprise by bowling quicker through the air. With the bat, he is an absolute power-hitter who has played quite a few quick-fire knocks over the years.</li><li> Billy Stanlake – An express fast bowler from a nation known to produce many, Australia, Stanlake is the lone overseas-pacer in the SRH camp. As far as quicks are concerned, SRH has always relied on Indians, however, in Stanlake they have found a genuine quick who could exploit the new ball skillfully and has immense control on the ball. Big Billy, as he is called fondly, has significant strength in his height of 6 feet 8 inches and very unsurprisingly generates vicious bounce on any given track.</li>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429361" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Chris-Gayle-Genn-Maxwell-Chris-Jordan-and-Sheldon-Cottrell.jpg" alt="Chris Gayle, Genn Maxwell, Chris Jordan and Sheldon Cottrell" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429361" class="wp-caption-text">Chris Gayle, Genn Maxwell, Chris Jordan and Sheldon Cottrell. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li> Chris Gayle – The West Indian marauder has made his name synonymous with T20 Cricket. His incredible abilities with the bat have been on a wide display for many years and he has been the most sought-after player in the shorter format of the game. A monster of a left-hander, he has made a mockery of every opposition through his free-stroking and has enthralled everyone with his glittery “Gayle storms”. He opens alongside KL Rahul to provide a left-right combination and can bowl part-time off-break.</li><li> Glenn Maxwell – Another destroyer with the bat who decorates middle-order is Glenn Maxwell. An insane hitter from Australia, Maxwell becomes an unstoppable force once he gets going. Apart from being renowned for playing the most unconventional of shots with ridiculous ease, ‘Maxi’ is also known for his unbelievably swift fielding. His gun-like throwing arm fires the ball like a bullet towards the wicket and no wonder, he has affected the most incredible run-outs and jaw-dropping catches over the years.</li><li> Chris Jordan – ­­­­One handy short-format player, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bbl-2019-20-chris-jordan-takes-a-mid-air-blinder-to-dismiss-dan-christian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chris Jordan</a> has been featuring in the IPL since 2016. He is known best for his quality death-bowling and the ability to strike some meaty blows with the bat in the lower-order. Even after having sufficient potential, Jordan’s career has been marred by injuries and saying that he has not exploited his skills to the fullest won’t be wrong. Nevertheless, he remains a strong contender for his team.</li><li> Sheldon Cottrell – A sturdy left-arm fast-medium from Jamaica, Cottrell, has made an impactful and promising start to his international career. He has ample variations in his bowling armoury and relies on pace as well as hitting the deck hard. Given his athleticism in the field and ability to whack a few blows down the order, he is an impressive package in this format of the game.</li>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429360" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jos-Buttler-Steve-Smith-Ben-Stokes-and-Jofra-Archer.jpg" alt="Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429360" class="wp-caption-text">Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li> Jos Butler – A stylish yet hard-hitting batsman from England, Jos Butler, has been associated with IPL for 4 years now. Known for his calibre with the bat at the top, he is an exceptional wicket-keeper who has kept for his national team as well as other franchise-based leagues over the world. Butler is a clean striker of the ball, though Butler’s hitting is not simply muscular power but timing and class as well. He has solidified his position as an opener through his reliable performances in the last couple of years.</li><li> Steve Smith – The fidgety right-handed batsman from Australia, Smith, has been a regular for the Rajasthan Royals since 2014. Clichéd as it may sound, but his unorthodox technique has reaped him splendid success over the years. He cannot be termed a power-hitter by any standard, but given his brilliant understanding of the game, he has been the perfect anchor in the middle-order for his team.</li><li> Ben Stokes – Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Ben Stokes. A very fine, young <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/jason-holder-is-the-most-underrated-all-rounder-currently-in-the-world-sachin-tendulkar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">all-rounder</a> from England, Stokes has had immense success and fame attached to his name in his years of professional cricket. With his genuine fast-medium-pace and charismatic batting style, he fits himself ideally in the precious variety of a seam-bowling all-rounder. Add his marvellous fielding efforts and finishing capabilities to this and there is your value-for-money investment complete.</li><li> Jofra Archer – Ever since his appearance in the international circuit, Archer has managed to make an impression with his abilities. A right-arm fast bowler from Barbados, Archer, has a bunch of variations in his hat and his uncanny skill with the ball made him an instant hit in the IPL. However, the jaded support from others many times led his efforts to end in vain. With a diverse bowling unit including Oshane Thomas, Andrew Tye, and Tom Curran, Archer will look to capitalize better in this edition.</li>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429359" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jason-Roy-Shimron-Hetmyer-Marcus-Stoinis-and-Kagiiso-Rabada.jpg" alt="Jason Roy, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis and Kagiiso Rabada" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429359" class="wp-caption-text">Jason Roy, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis and Kagiiso Rabada. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li> Jason Roy – A solid opener from England, Jason Roy is known for his intrepid batting style and flowy stroke-play. He is a hard-hitter and has performed exceptionally well for his national side as well as different T20 leagues around the world in recent years. Opening with the left-handed Shikhar Dhawan, Roy will provide the much unsettling left-right combination for the opponent bowlers.</li><li> Shimron Hetmyer – A flamboyant young talent from the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ben-stokes-smashes-a-ridiculous-six-over-long-on-in-the-second-test-against-west-indies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">West Indies</a>, Hetmyer, is an attacking middle-order batsman. After having a shaky start to his career, he has performed positively for his national side and has established himself as a capable prospect. Given his knack of clearing boundaries with ease and enthusiastic fielding, he is a proper T20 specialist and a definite addition to the team.</li><li> Marcus Stoinis – A genuine all-rounder from Australia, Stoinis is a solid middle-order batsman who bowls right-arm medium pace. He has the capability to swing the ball and can bowl during any stage of the game. By the virtue of his well-built physique, he can counter attack and target bowlers with ease. Given his flexibility in batting position, more than decent bowling, and gun fielding, he is a complete package in T20s.</li><li> Kagiso Rabada – A prodigious, young, and fierce quick who consistently clocks 145-150 kmph, Rabada, is a talented gun-pacer from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/30-former-south-africa-cricketers-issue-statement-in-support-of-black-lives-matter-movement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Africa</a>. A bowler with a lean frame, he runs in quick and delivers the most unplayable deliveries troubling the batsmen. With a deadly yorker, ability to swing both ways, scrambled seam ball, and a vicious bouncer, Rabada has a bowling arsenal worth showing off. The DC pace attack will be spearheaded by him.</li>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429358" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-Kieron-Pollard-Trent-Boult-and-Lasith-Malinga.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult and Lasith Malinga" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429358" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult and Lasith Malinga. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

<li> Quinton de Kock – A tremendously talented top-order batsman, de Kock, is the most recent addition to the Mumbai Indian camp. Having played for 2 different IPL franchises over his 7-year-long IPL career, he has garnered enough experience and familiarity in the league. Apart from his batting prowess, de Kock is a sharp wicket-keeper who has kept wickets for his national team as well in other domestic leagues. He is a player of substance and a definite addition to his team.</li><li> Kieron Pollard – Pollard, has been associated with MI for a decade. A pure all-rounder, there is no department where ‘KP’ does not contribute. Given his massive muscular frame, he ruthlessly pummels the ball with the bat. Come to bowling, he bowls some useful wicket-taking medium pace, and regardless of his bulky body, he is one heck of a fielder who dives, tumbles, and rolls all over the park to save runs for his side.</li><li> Trent Boult – A staunch <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/former-kiwi-pacer-iain-obrien-resorts-to-crowd-funding-to-arrange-money-for-his-flight-back-home-amid-coronavirus-debacle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kiwi </a>pacer, Boult, is renowned for his impeccably consistent bowling. An established leader of the pace-attack, he depends heavily on his skill to bowl regularly in the correct channels and lengths. Given his ability to swing the ball both ways and exploit the short ball with ease, Boult has bothered the most quality batsmen with the new ball and is an extremely difficult bowler to get away with.</li><li> Lasith Malinga – An absolute expert and specialist in the T20 format, ‘Slinga Malinga’ has been one with the MI camp since the inaugural edition of the IPL. His strength to ‘bowl on a plate’, to deliver toe-crushing yorkers, and use a highly deceptive slower one to perfection, makes him a complete bowler. Although a few batsmen have developed their game to read Malinga’s bowling, he continues to be a deadly threat in death-overs and a fierce troublemaker for most of the batsmen.</li>

7. Kolkata Knight Riders

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429394" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Eoin-Morgan-Andre-Russell-Sunil-Narine-and-Pat-Cummins.jpg" alt="Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Pat Cummins" width="640" height="400"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429394" class="wp-caption-text">Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li> Eoin Morgan – A fine middle-order batsman from England, Morgan, has a wide array of shots in his pool. He is a busy batsman with a typical technique who is known for his audacious stroke-making and unorthodox shots. With his skill to anchor the innings, as well as score, runs quickly whenever required, he has marked himself as a specialist limited-overs batsmen.</li><li> Andre Russell – A brawny and gutsy hitter, Russell, is an absolute and sheer force. He is a mind-bogglingly powerful hitter, whose mistimed shots travel 100 meters at times! ‘Muscle-Russell’ an absolute monster who has no kindness to show to the bowlers. Apart from his volcanic batting, he is a more than capable right-arm quick real wicket-taking abilities. Russell is a champion fielder and loves throwing his athletic body with complete devotion when it comes to fielding.</li><li> Sunil Narine – The Trinidadian mystery spinner has been an essential component of the KKR bowling line-up ever since 2012. With a plethora of options such as skidders, carom ball, the ‘doosra’, and knuckleball, he is an extremely versatile and miserly bowler who has been deceiving and restricting batsmen since ages. Apart from his skills with the ball, Narine is known for his dashing and courageous batting. In fact, he has been tried as an opener many times to score briskly during the power-play.</li><li> Pat Cummins – The lanky and fiery speed-gun from <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/australia-can-go-on-top-of-virat-kohli-if-they-put-him-under-pressure-early-in-the-series-brett-lee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Australia </a>has established himself as a premier fast bowler over the years. Having been bought for a whopping 15.5 Crore by KKR in the auctions, Cummins is all set to spearhead his team’s pace attack. He has a slender frame and his fierce pace coupled with lethal lines makes a deadly combination that is good enough to rattle any batsmen in the world.</li>

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-429357" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shane-Watson-Dwayne-Bravo-Sam-Curran-and-Josh-Hazlewood.jpg" alt="Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran and Josh Hazlewood" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-429357" class="wp-caption-text">Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran and Josh Hazlewood. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<li> Shane Watson – Watson has been associated with the “Yellow Army” since 2018. A free-flowing top-order batsman who contributes well with his right-arm fast-medium, ‘Watto’, has been an efficient value addition to his franchise much since his inclusion. He has the knack of hitting at will and has played some real entertaining knocks over the years.</li><li> Dwayne Bravo – The Trinidad-born all-rounder has been a pillar of CSK ever since 2011. A brilliant fielder, one of the safest pair of hands, an extremely innovative and flexible bowler with ample variations, and a mighty striker with the bat, Bravo is arguably one of the finest <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tom-moody-picks-his-greatest-test-odi-and-t20-all-rounders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">all-rounders</a> in the limited over formats with loads of runs and wickets under his kitty. Having played franchise-based cricket for over a decade, he is one highly experienced campaigner and will be a vital cog for the CSK this year too.</li><li> Sam Curran – The latest addition in the CSK franchise, Curran, is an interesting prospect in the coming season. Given that the track of Chennai is one where the ball grips a bit, his cutters and brisk pace can well come into play. A fairly-built all-rounder who comes into bat lower down the order, Curran possesses the ability to change the game quickly.</li><li> Josh Hazlewood – Another appreciable addition to the team through this year’s auction is the Aussie-pacer Josh Hazlewood. A tall, fast bowler, Hazlewood is known for his accuracy and precision with the ball. He exploits short ball with ease and can be handy for CSK on the bouncier tracks such as those of Kolkata, Jaipur, and Bangalore. Alongside Lungi Ngidi, he will surely be a force to reckon with.</li>

Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer

One of highlighting features of the IPL has been the intermingling of players from across the globe and their unison under one roof of franchise-based cricket.

4 First-choice overseas players for each team in IPL 2020

One of highlighting features of IPL has been the intermingling of players from across the globe and their unison under one roof of franchise-based cricket.

4 First-choice overseas players for each team in IPL 2020

One of highlighting features of the IPL has been the intermingling of players from across the globe and their unison under one roof of franchise-based cricket.

8. Chennai Super Kings