Half of the season of this edition of the IPL 2020 is done and there was a lot of action in the first half. We saw many players perform well, some old players struggled, and whatnot. It has been a mixed bag as we have seen some sensational performances and some below-par performances at the same time. There are a few players, who were brilliant in the last season but struggling to make an intact performance in IPL 2020 . Let’s have a look at five such players.
5. Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals
Jos Buttler has always been a match-winner not only for Rajasthan Royals but for all the teams which he has played. But somehow in this season, he has failed to make an impact up at the top. So far in six games, he has scored 146 runs in 6 games at an average of 24.33 and a strike-rate of 146. In the last season, he had scored 311 runs in just 8 games at an average of 38.87 and a strike-rate of 151.7. His strike-rate is pretty similar but his average has gone down. He is a key player of that RR setup and all the RR fans will be hoping that he starts firing soon.
4. Deepak Chahar – Chennai Super Kings
Deepak Chahar was the best new-ball bowler in the last season as he picked up 22 wickets in 17 games at an economy rate of 7.47. He was swinging the ball and picking up wickets in the powerplay. In this season, he hasn’t been as effective as last season. He has picked up only 6 wickets in 8 games so far. He has been on and off with his performances as he has swung the ball in some matches whereas in some he has failed to do so.
The CSK team management will be hoping that he finds his mojo as early as possible.
3. Rohit Sharma – Mumbai Indians
Rohit the ‘Hitman’ was helming the hitman show last year with scoring above 400 runs. Four times IPL Winning Captain Rohit Sharma was in a thick of his form last year leading his side and winning the IPL Trophy over arch Rivals Chennai super kings. But this year, Rohit has looked off-colour so far. He is getting starts but not converting them into big ones. He has scored 260 runs out of nine games. With Quinton De Kock going berserk on the other end, being a marquee batsman, his role will be key through the power play and the middle-overs for the upcoming games.
2. Hardik Pandya – Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya is a batsman who all the bowlers don’t want to bowl too but this season has not been that case. He had a few cameos but apart from that, he hasn’t done anything significant. Due to his injury, he isn’t able to bowl now which reduces a field where he could make an impact.
MI is constantly pushing him up the order to give him more game time and it is just a matter of time before he starts hitting the ball well beyond the boundary ropes.
1. Andre Russell – Kolkata Knight Riders
Andre Russell was the Most Valuable Player of the last IPL as he scored 510 runs and picked up 11 wickets in the 14 games. But in this season, he has struggled with the bat so far. It seems as if he is going too hard too early. He is hitting a boundary or a six and getting out.
With the ball, he has been decent at the death but, it is his batting which is more important for KKR. He has the ability to win matches from nowhere and KKR will be hoping that he starts playing longer innings so that he can have a big impact.
