Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has picked the sides he thinks will make it to the playoffs of the IPL 2020. Hogg has experience playing in the IPL for KKR from 2014 to 2016, scalping 23 wickets in 21 appearances. The 13th edition of IPL was originally scheduled to kick off from March 29 was postponed indefinitely after April 15 due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the nation.
The postponing of the World Cup to 2021 gave the IPL a window to be conducted in September. IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10. The matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah respectively.
Brad Hogg. Credits: Getty Images.
Bradd Hogg names the sides he feels will make it to the IPL 2020 playoffs
The 49-year-old has analyzed the sides and made his prediction for the top four of the IPL 2020. He feels CSK have lost two quality players in Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, who have announced their unavailability due to personal reasons. The three-time IPL winners will be fighting with Delhi Capitals for the number 4 spot, according to Hogg. He opined if speedster, Kagiso Rabada plays the whole season with DC, they have a great chance to make it to the top four.
“If you look at the teams now, CSK has lost two quality players. Raina might get back there but it might be a liitle bit too late. So, CSK have got their problems with their older brigade, their most experienced campaigners. I think it leaves a hole for them.”
CSK. Image Credit: Getty Images.
“They are going to be pushing to get into the No.4 spot. It is either going to be CSK at No.4 or the Delhi Capitals. They don’t have any injury and if Rabada plays the whole tournament, they have a big chance of getting into the top four.” Brad Hogg said on his Youtube Channel.
At number 3 he picked his former side KKR, who he feels have a very balanced team this term. He mentioned Sunil Narine and Andre Russell will be the key game-changers for the Kolkata based side.
“Definitely coming in at No.3 is Kolkata Knight Riders. I think they have got a very good balanced team. They have got someone like a Narine there who is very adaptable with the bat. He can open, bat in the middle or at the death. So someone as adaptable as that who can sacrifice his wicket in the batting order and with his bowling gives so much depth and then you have Andre Russell. They are the two keys there.”
The top two IPL 2020 sides according to Brad Hogg
The chinaman spinner feels RCB will stand at the second place this term because of the coaching staff overhaul in the team. The new coaching staff will give them more rest which will get the best out of players, says Brad Hogg. He told skipper Virat Kohli and new signing Aaron Finch will have a standout year for RCB. They will be looking ahead to win their maiden IPL trophy.
“RCB will come in at No.2 on the ladder. I just think their coaching staff this year is more balanced, a little bit more laid-back. That will relax the players a lot more and you will see them perform at their best. Plus Virat Kohli is going to have a standout year and Aaron Finch as well.” Hogg said
RCB Team. Image Credit: Getty Images.
The most complete side according to Bard Hogg is Mumbai Indians, who he has placed at the number 1 spot. Mumbai Indians are the most successful side in the IPL winning it on 4 different occasions, and they still look to be the leaders on paper with their squad.
“Mumbai Indians at No.1. They have got all bases covered. They have got elegant batsmen at the top who can bat through the innings. They have the power hitters in Hardik Pandya, Pollard and Krunal Pandya in the middle and those players are also quality all-rounders who can bowl a few overs as well. And then when you look at their bowling lineup, they have got their spin and pace covered and they have good depth in their squad.” he added.
MI will face CSK in the opener on the 19th of September. The last time these two faced each other was in the IPL 2019 final which MI won by a single run.
