DREAM11 IPL 2020 is commencing with a host of unexpected happenings. Covid-19 has sure set its own rules for this tournament! Players leaving due to their health problems, players exiting due to personal reasons, players missing matches due to a clash of series – Heck! It’s time for the substitutes to grab this space and make the most of it. The possibility of players from England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanisthan and West Indies was looming over our heads, threatening to make it an all-in-all “Indian” Premier League. Well, this list has now come down to just The English and the Australian players, much to everyone’s relief.

Any player returning to the DREAM11 IPL 2020 will have to follow :

“BCCI’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)–

• Upon arrival, the players will be tested on day 1, 3 and 6 
•  if the results are negative, they can enter the tournament’s bio-bubble. 
• Suspected or positive cases will immediately be isolated from the team and the case will be managed by team doctor in accordance with IPL medical team. Contract tracing will begin immediately.”

Let’s have a look at all the teams that have faced the exit of their star players and who is going to fill in their shoes.

Players who have left due to health problems : Deepak Chahar (CSK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)???

Players who exited the DREAM11 IPL 2020 due to personal reasons : Lasith Malinga (MI), Harbhajan Singh (CSK), Suresh Raina (CSK) (might return), Jason Roy (DC), Kane Richardson (RCB)

Players caught up in other matches, hence missing the first set of matches in the DREAM11 IPL 2020 : All Australian and England players

The first 5 matches of DREAM11 IPL 2020 are crucial as it will set the pace of the tournament keeping in mind all the conditions affecting the teams. A different venue, a new feel in the stadium with no crowds like before, absence of a few important players, everything. Now let’s round up the teams according to the schedule given by the BCCI:

Match 1 : MI vs CSK READ | MI Vs CSK Dream11 Team Prediction IPL 2020 Match 1

MI : Lasith Malinga

MI is least affected. Nathan Coulter-Nile who is not in the Australian team for the series will be available to MI. But losing Malinga – the winning face of IPL2019, is a set back. Yet, MI seems all capable to continue the winning streak.

CSK : Josh Hazelwood, Sam Curren, Shane Watson

Chennai Super Kings seem brazen by any aspect right now. They are going to cruise through despite the absence of the bigwigs. They have sterling Indian players to do the job. And if Suresh Raina returns, what’s more to say?!

Match 2 : DC vs KXIP

DC : Chris Woakes, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Roy, Alex Carey.

Delhi Capitals is moderately affected by this and they will have to pull up their socks in the absence of these strong players. Chris Woakes pulling out from the IPL tournament is a big blow to his fans though! But DC has a very well planned team. Their XI sans overseas players looks pretty strong. Have a look –

Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma

KXIP : Glenn Maxwell, Chris Jordan

KXIP’s bowling department should be more concerned rather than fussing over Glenn Maxwell. Though he is the run getter, among the bowlers, Shami is the only experienced one. Youngsters Ravi Bishnoi and Ishan Porel might have a bigger role to play here.

Match 3 : SRH vs RCB

SRH : David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Mitchell Marsh

OW! Did they just lose their backbone of the batting department there! The experienced Manish Pandey and Vijay Shanker will have to show the youngsters around ( Priyam Garg, Virat Singh and Abhishek Sharma)

RCB : Kane Richardson, Moeen Ali, Aaron Finch, Jos Phillipe

Virat Kohli and the all rounders (Washington Sunder, Shivam Dube and Pawan Negi) will have to do a good job, the damage can be minimum as their bowlers Chahal, Saini and Umesh Yadav are there to do the job.

Match 4 : RR vs CSK

RR : Steve Smith, Jofra Archer, Jos Butler, Ben Stokes, Andrew Tye, Tom Curran

Looks like that spells ‘m-i-s-e-r-y’ for the Rajasthan Royals. The principle team members of RR are going to be absent for the initial matches. They have Sanju Samson, Shreyas Gopal, the new purchase Robin Uthappa, Mahipal Lomror and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Who will be the captain? Well Robin Uthappa seems to be the senior most here. RR is taking this whole scenario positively – what better warm up practice for their overseas players than playing the best of England and Australia they say!

Match 5 : KKR vs MI

KKR : Pat Cummins, Eoin Morgan, Tom Banton

A big blow to KKR! This year’s most expensive player Pat Cummins unavailable for the initial matches is a pity. As for Tom Banton, as of now he does not feature in the XI. He might be included after his return. Options for KKR? Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana and Siddhesh Lad. Time to call the shots lads!

Prediction : Probable Match Results

Match 1 – CSK and MI have equal chances of winning, MI is in a better state of mind.

Match 2 – DC has more chances of winning

Match 3 – SRH and RCB are on par, RCB might win

Match 4 – CSK has a high chance of winning

Match 5 – MI has a high chance of winning

More detailed discussions to come just before the matches! Don’t miss it!