5 Players who can be used as 'power player' in IPL 2020

The Indian Premier League (IPL) never ceases to spring a surprise. It has led the way in franchise cricket all over the world. Many leagues around the world take multiple leaves out of IPL’s book and try to be successful as they implement similar things to the IPL.

In yet another new move, the BCCI is planning to add the concept of a power player in next season’s IPL. In this rule, it will do away with the rule of having to name a playing XI. Each team will have to announce a 15-man squad. A player who is not playing can be substituted at any point in the game.

However, the replacement can happen only at the end of an over or at the fall of a wicket. This idea isn’t final yet and will be discussed by the IPL Governing Council members at the BCCI headquarters. But with the possibility of this new rule getting approved, here we take a look at five players who could be used as power players in IPL 2020.

1. Andre Russell

One of the first names that come to mind is Andre Russell. The hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder has had a history of injury issues. Hence, there are multiple times, he is not 100% fit and yet, he takes the field. That could well be avoided with this power player rule.

In fact, a senior BCCI official as quoted by TOI gave the very example of Russell. When the required run rate is high and you need someone to simply come in and blast out, Russell could well be the man to do it. He’s shown that before in the IPL as well that no target is beyond reach for him.

There may not be a fierce striker of a cricket ball in world cricket at the moment. And he keeps it simple too. It’s all power and nothing too fancy for the big Jamaican all-rounder. Hence, Russell could well benefit from the power player rule and could make a short appearance and yet have a big impact on the game.

2. Trent Boult

Trent Boult is one of the best all-format bowlers in the world. He may not have played as much T20 cricket in the recent past, but he is a very useful customer. Boult can move the ball around nicely at the top of the innings and can also be effective at the death. Moreover, he is a live-wire in the field.

Hence, the New Zealand fast bowler brings a lot to the table. However, Boult has been in the Delhi Capitals side for a couple of years now. He hasn’t got to play all the games, owing to the four-foreigners rule. Thus, he’s warmed the benches for a large part.

But the power player rule could work in his favour. Boult could well be swapped with a batsman and it suddenly adds a different dimension to the bowling attack. He could be used at various stages of the game and that too differently as well.

3. Krishnappa Gowtham

Perhaps, Krishnappa Gowtham is one of the most underrated cricketers going around in the Indian domestic circuit at the moment. The Karnataka all-rounder has been playing the IPL for a couple of seasons now. Moreover, despite doing well in domestic cricket, he doesn’t garner as much attention as some of the other cricketers do.

Gowtham is a proper tonker of the ball. He can add some handy runs at a rapid rate with the bat lower down the order. In fact, he has a career T20 strike-rate of 163.89. He also showed what is he capable of in the Deodhar Trophy final. He can also chip in with the ball. If the pitch is turning and the team needs an additional spinner, he could slot in straight away.

Hence, the Karnataka off-spinning all-rounder could be one of the power players in the IPL. His ability to make a significant impact in a short span works in his favor.

4. David Miller

In the last few years, David Miller’s stocks have dropped drastically in the IPL. At the end of the 2015 season, the South African middle-order batsman averaged 42.55 while amassing 1319 runs at a strike-rate of 147.54. However, since 2016, Miller’s numbers have dropped alarmingly.

In the last four seasons, he has played 30 games and has scored 531 runs at an average of 22.12. His strike-rate has dropped massively as well. Hence, it can be said that Miller may not find a regular place in the starting XI. Thus, the power player rule could come into effect for him and be useful as well.

Everyone is aware of the destruction Miller can cause. He can strike the ball cleanly and powerfully and clear the boundary at will. Hence, the South African could well be given that role which could bring the best out of him.

5. Jasprit Bumrah

If not the best, Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers across formats in the world at the moment. It was through T20 cricket and the IPL, Bumrah made a name for himself. His ability to bowl yorkers at will along with a few other variations making life hell for the batsmen at the death is remarkable.

You may argue why would anyone use Bumrah as a power player. He is a full four overs bowler and can create an impact at any stage. But the Gujarat lad is mainly used for just one over in the powerplay and he usually comes back for his remaining three in the second half of the innings.

Hence, he could well be used smartly. If Mumbai Indians can find a bowler who can do the job upfront and in the power player swap, Bumrah could come in at the death and do the job. He could be lethal and could give the opposition a tough time at the back end.