The Indian Premier League (IPL) has come up with a new surprise. This time BCCI is planning to introduce a power player in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Each team will have to announce a 15-man squad. A player, who is in the reserves, can be substituted at any point in the game.
The IANS quotes a senior official of BCCI saying, “We are looking at a scenario where a team will not name the Playing XI. They will announce the 15 and a player can be substituted at either the fall of a wicket or at the end of the over at any point in the game. While we are looking to introduce it in the IPL, trying the concept first in the upcoming Mushtaq Ali Trophy could be the ideal way forward,”
The idea isn’t finalized yet. It will be discussed by the IPL Governing Council members. In case the new rule gets approved, here are the 5 players who might be used as power players in the IPL 2020.
These are the 5 players who can be used as ‘power player’ in IPL 2020
1. Andre Russell
Andre Russel, the Jamaican all-rounder, is a hard hitter from West Indies. There may not be a fiercer striker of a cricket ball in world cricket at the moment. And he keeps it simple too. Andre Russell will be the perfect pick for the power player. A dangerous batsman, Russell has played in over 300 Twenty20 leagues all over the world. He has a long history of injury issues. That could well be avoided with this power player rule. Russel can make a huge impact on the game if he gets selected in the power play rule.
2. Trent Boult
Trent Boult is a New Zealand fast bowler. He hasn’t featured T20I cricket in the recent past. He is a tricky bowler as he can make matches more interesting and effective during death overs. Boult is also one of the best all-format bowlers in the world.
From a couple of years, Boult has been playing for Delhi Capitals, earlier known as Delhi Daredevils. He hasn’t got a chance to play all the matches because of the four foreign players rule. But the power player rule is just right for him. This New Zealand player could be used at various stages of the game and differently as well.
3. Krishnappa Gowtham
Krishnappa Gowtham is Karnataka’s all-rounder he has been playing the IPL for a couple of seasons. At the moment, Krishnappa is one of the most underrated cricketers in the Indian domestic circuit. 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. When a team needs an additional spinner, he could fit in straight away.
Hence, there are chances for Krishnappa Gowtham, the off-spinning all-rounder of Karnataka, to be one of the power players in the IPL.
4. David Miller
David Miller is a South African middle-order batsman. Since the last few years, his stock has dropped drastically in the IPL. At the end of the 2015 season, Miller averaged 42.55 while amassing 1319 runs at a strike-rate of 147.54. However, since 2016, Miller’s numbers have dropped alarmingly.
The strike rate of Miller has also dropped massively. In the last four seasons, he has played 30 games and scored 531 runs at an average of 22.12. The power play rule may affect him or may help him.
But at the end of the day, everyone is aware of the destruction Miller can cause. Hence, Miller could get a role that brings the best out of him.
5. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers across the world. He works wonders with his bowling style. He has the ability to bowl yorkers with different variations. Bumrah can create an impact at any stage with his tricky bowling.
He played a crucial role in the victory of Mumbai Indians in the 2019 IPL. If Mumbai Indians need a bowler in the power player swap, they can use Bumrah smartly. He can give a tough time to the opposition team.
