IPL 2020 will witness teams taking their own exclusive net bowlers to UAE with strict security measures being in place. Both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take 10 exclusive net bowlers, whereas Delhi Capitals have confirmed they will take six net bowlers along with them.
IPL 2020 will be a blessing in disguise to at least 50 unheralded cricketers who will travel with the eight franchises as exclusive net bowlers as IPL shifts its base to UAE for at least this season.
At least three teams CSK, KKR and DC have confirmed that a roster of net bowlers is being prepared comprising mostly of first-class, under 19 and 23 state-level cricketers who will get an opportunity, to bowl to star-studded batting line up featuring the likes of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant for close to one month.
IPL 2020: CSK And KKR Will Take Around 10 Net Bowlers From Ranji and U-19 & 23
The convention in previous seasons of IPL was using local bowlers apart from junior fringe players but the biosecurity measures imply an arrangement of quality bowlers. Apart from that the squad strength has been limited to 24 and the contingent volume has not been specified which could vary from team to team but it is understood that none of the teams will avail any local net bowlers.
Chennai Super Kings has planned to take around 10 net bowlers exclusively for a practice who will bowl to the likes of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu apart from internationals like Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson in UAE.
“If all goes well, we are planning to take around 10 bowlers exclusively to UAE for the practice sessions. They will be accompanying the team and will remain till the tournament starts,” Chennai Super Kings CEO Kashi Vishwanathan told PTI on Tuesday.
KKR though have confirmed that they will have 10 net bowlers in the roster to be picked by former Mumbai captain and academy coach Abhishek Nayar and will witness mainly Ranji Trophy players and players playing in U-23 and U-19 national levels.
“It will be a blend of players of who have played Ranji Trophy while some of have played U-23 and U-19 natational level tournaments,” someone who is privy to developments in the KKR camp informed.
Delhi Capitals will take around six net bowlers to be part of bio bubble who will stay with the squad and travel with the team in the nets.
“They will be staying with the squad and will travel with the team for the net sessions,” a franchise source said.
Rajasthan Royals are also on course to finalize net bowlers.
IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals And Royal Challengers Bangalore Net Bowlers May Be From Academies
Along with Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Rajasthan Royals can select players from their respective academies.
“Someone like former India U-19 Aditya Thackeray could gain a lot if RCB decides to take him for net sessions where he can bowl to a Virat Kohli. Aditya is a part of RCB developmental squad,” a senior talent scout of a franchise said.
It is also expected that spinners may dominate the list of overall net bowlers as the slow humid conditions will suit left-arm spinners and wrist spinners who have played and performed well in first-class cricket.
“On slow Dubai tracks, it will be important that teams stack up their line-up with more spinners especially for humid conditions. You will see a lot of left-arm spinners and wrist spinners who have played a decent level cricket being included apart from the pacers,” the talent scout said.
The IPL 2020 will start from September 19 and will conclude on November 10.