In a T20 game, from a batting side’s point of view, the mandatory powerplay of first six overs with the new ball and only two fielders outside the ring must be the best reaping chance.
The top-order batters which involve two openers, and the one-drop, have this duty to set the tempo required for their team. Especially in T20s, how the tops behave directly decides the energy of the batters in the middle order. Therefore, the management of the teams pays specific attention in deciding the top orders of the team.
IPL is known for its sheer international quality. Mainly, the players and coaching brains involved in this particular tournament have never missed raising the demands higher. With the IPL 2020 which is held at UAE is set to ignite in a week here we have listed the top 5 teams that possess the most potent top-order batting.
You can find out our probable Playing XI for every IPL 2020 squads by clicking here.
5) Kings XI Punjab
Possible top-order batsmen: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
Among the two openers here, the Jamaican is eerie, and the young Indian is a wit.
Chris Gayle steadily accumulates as many runs as possible once he gets on a roll and interestingly, it happens very often.
While on the other end, the outright freak KL Rahul happened to possess useful stroke-making ability which would be a nightmare for any staunch opposition in the field.
Both don’t creep, they used to come in with much noise, and that’s how their cricket is all about. One settled batsman from these two might make debris flying all over the field.
What’s more fascinating is Mayank Agarwal in the one drop. Upped game with international exposure, the seed is already there, given time, it will grow and bear bitter fruit.
4) Mumbai Indians
Possible top order: Quinton De Kock, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav.
Mumbai’s top order is a mix of different veterans.
The T20 exponent Quinton De Kock can’t be overlooked. With the Proteas skipper always hopes to reap the rewards, this franchise with more generous coaches could be the best fertile land for him.
Rohit Sharma will get a go in the best position he could walk in. His understanding of his own game and value for his wicket will fetch better output for MI.
Both are good against the spin, and that is going to be the key for MI in the sluggish, slow pitches of UAE.
The prolific Suryakumar Yadav’s form in the last two seasons is not a mere blip. If he peaks in the third continuous season, MI will have a greater batting depth with a staunch middle-order already in the kit.
3) Rajasthan Royals
Possible top order: Jos Buttler, Robin Uthappa and Steve Smith.
More the pressure more they outburst.
The world-beater Jos Buttler is a significant game pedigree, and his vast experience in this format makes entertainment to clock even more north.
Crucially for RR, Robin Uthappa has to open to make himself more comfortable after the powerplay overs. Two fielders outside the ring might boost him to bring back his capitulated game.
The slow striking rate of Robin and the mighty Aussie one drop Steve Smith raises questions. But the best in the business have to bite the hard bullet to clinch the roll licking debate.
RR couldn’t ask for more than Steve Smith getting his divine touch in this edition.
2) Royal Challengers Bangalore
Possible order: Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli.
A group of two gurus and a rookie.
Igniting the innings is like a daily routine for the Australian skipper, Aaron Finch. As the brutal hitter had shaken off his six-month rest in England, there are many possibilities for his form to get ballooned in this IPL.
Devdutt Padikkal, the whippersnapper, is in the urge to showcase his penetrating skills in this big stage. Suffice to say that sustained runs from Padikkal will be seen as pivotal for RCB.
Virat Kohli will lead the recovery if one goes down. Never worry about his slot. There must be at least 400-500 runs from this genius in the entire series even if he doesn’t get his best touch. Check Virat Kohli’s magical T20 numbers here.
1) SunRisers Hyderabad
Possible top order: David Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Kane Williamson.
The top order of SRH has all the elements to make the whole cricketing world to snaff.
David Warner is the most responsible Warner when he plays in the IPL. The energy comes from the other-world, and that is what we have witnessed right from Warner wearing the orange jersey.
The most impactful Jonny Bairstow has imbued a hell lot of cricket lovers. Especially the SRH management. Never even think about how to stop him once he is on his rhythm.
Kane Williamson is like silence after the storm for SRH. But the silence here mentions the creep. He scores in his own way, keeps on ticking the scoreboard. Must be the best partner for anyone among the two overseas SRH openers.
The Wrap-up
Apart from the above five teams, CSK’s top three (Faf Du Plessis, Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu) is at the stumbling stage as their routine one drop Suresh Raina opts out of this tournament. We might have a solution (few actually) to fill in the Raina-shaped hole in CSK lineup. Meanwhile, DC’s Indian top order (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer) needs more push factor. And the mighty KKR is good with its middle order while they need more experience at the top order (Sunil Narine, Shubhman Gill and Nitish Rana).
