IPL 2020: 5 players who might be axed from Playing XI after Week 1

IPL 2020 has started off with a bang. We have seen some really exciting cricket in the very first week. While some teams have started off really well, the others would be looking to up their game. We have already witnessed some really close games with one of them also reaching to a super over. The hype generated before the IPL has not been proven wrong.

A very interesting thing though has been the starting eleven the teams have come out with. A lot of unexpected players have managed to start the tournament for their respective sides. While some of them have done really well, the others have failed to impress. In a competitive league like the IPL, you cannot expect too many chances. The moment you fail, there are a number of people waiting to take your place.

The first week saw various flawed performances. Going into the second week, teams may look to axe these players in order to find the right balance. We are still in the initial phase of the championship and all sides would be looking to find their ideal eleven. Let’s have a look at the players who may have to make way for these changes.

Here’s the list of 5 players who could be axed in the upcoming matches of IPL 2020:

5. Murali Vijay

The Indian opener has been disappointing in all the matches. He plays for the Chennai Super Kings who have already completed three games. One of the best team’s in the tournament CSK has won only one of their first three matches. A side known for backing its players may now be forced to make some changes in order to get back to winning ways.

One such change would definitely be replacing Vijay at the top of the order. The opener who was a star for the Chennai side in the initial seasons of the IPL has now fallen out. His batting is nowhere close to where it used to be and he is clearly lacking the confidence. In the three games played, his scores are 1 (7), 21 (21), and 10 (15). These numbers are definitely not acceptable in T20 cricket.

Vijay’s terrible performance at the start has led to additional pressure on the middle-order batsmen. The side has not been able to get off to a good start and could look to slot in Ambati Rayudu in place of Vijay if the former is fit to play. A change at the top could probably help CSK to get back to winning ways. This makes Vijay an ideal candidate to get axed from the eleven.

4. Umesh Yadav

The faster bowler who plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore has looked completely out of sorts. A pacer known for his knack of getting wickets has failed to get a single wicket in the two games played. His economy had always been on the higher side and with him being unable to get wickets too, it looks like his spot is definitely in danger.

His figures have been 4 overs 48 runs and 3 overs 35 runs in the first two games respectively. The RCB side has always been criticized for lacking good fast bowlers. They had tried to cover that base this time around by signing the likes of Dale Steyn, Chris Morris and Isuru Udana. While Steyn too has been off-colour, the likes of Morris and Udana have not played yet.

Talking about the Indian bowlers, the Bangalore side has Mohammad Siraj who could directly replace Yadav if they don’t want to use up an overseas slot. Having a Captain like Virat Kohli does not help his cause. A man known for making a lot of changes, the RCB skipper could definitely look to axe Yadav for the coming matches.

3. Wriddhiman Saha

The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman who plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad got a go in the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. He was slotted into the eleven due to an injury to Vijay Shankar. For a player who is not really equipped for the T20 game, it was always going to be a challenge for him to prove his worth.

Nevertheless, he was given an opportunity to bat in the middle order at the very important number four spot. He came to bat in the 10th over post David Warner’s dismissal. SRH was expected to attack as they had now got a solid base. However, Saha never got going and his score was 15 (21) at the end of 15 overs. He was dismissed in the 20th over after scoring 30 runs in 31 balls.

This is definitely not what the Hyderabad side was expecting from whom. His slow knock did not allow them to post a good total and the Kolkata side chased down the target with ease. With a talented middle-order batsman like Virat Singh on the bench, Saha may not get another chance to prove his mettle.

2. Joshua Philippe

The Australian batsman had set the Big Bash League on fire. His brilliant performances in that tournament led to the Royal Challengers Bangalore signing him in IPL 2020 auction. A player suited for the opening spot could not be given that position in the RCB lineup. Nevertheless, the side needed a wicketkeeper-batsman and therefore slotted him in at number five.

In the first match he played he came in at number six and scored a solitary run in the two balls he faced. The second match against the Punjab side saw him being sent in at the very important number three spot. In a massive chase of 207 runs the Bangalore side had lost an early wicket and were hoping for a good knock from the youngster. He threw away this opportunity as he was dismissed for a duck on the third ball that he faced.

Philippe may have to face the axe as RCB has a number of quality overseas players lying on the bench. The young Australian batsman is not adding any utility lower down the order and can perhaps make way for Moen Ali or Isuru Udana considering Morris is still not fit. If AB de Villiers is not yet ready to take up the keeping duties Kohli can get Parthiv Patel in the mix to fulfil that role.

1. David Miller

While most of the players may be axed due to their personal failures, that may not really be the reason for Miller to miss out. The South African batsman got a go in the first match due to the absence of Jos Buttler who was completing his quarantine. With the England wicketkeeper-batsman set to return for Rajasthan’s next fixture, Miller may well be left out.

Rajasthan Royals are blessed with some of the best overseas players in the league. While, Steven Smith, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer pick themselves, the absence of Ben Stokes leaves one spot available. However, Tom Curran who is an all-rounder fulfils the requirements of that spot better than Miller who is a pure batsman.

He did not help his cause in the game he played as he was dismissed for a diamond duck. It must’ve been really frustrating for the batsman as he would know that his only chance to retain his place was if he came out with an excellent performance in that match. A duck for Miller makes it a lot easier for the Rajasthan team management.