One ‘X-Factor’ Player In Each of IPL 2019’s Franchises
Which players could prove to be the X-Factor for their teams in the 2019 IPL?
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The most extravagant T20 league of the world is just around the corner and the excitement among fans for the tournament is increasing with every passing day. This year’s IPL will be watched even more closely as the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is scheduled to take place immediately after the tournament.
Fans and pundits will be very interested to see forms of their players as the level of cricket in IPL is, mostly, at par with the international standards.
Just like every year, franchises are working hard to find the right combination before the start of the tournament and their think-tanks having already started doing their calculations. While most of the players are picked on the basis of their name, numbers and reputation, there are some young and lesser known stars who take the centrestage every year and set IPL on fire with their performances.
Here’s a look at the ‘X-factor’ of every team in IPL 2019.
Chennai Super Kings: Suresh Raina
There is common opinion among fans and pundits that Suresh Raina’s international career is over. Raina, who was once one of the most important members of India’s limited-overs cricket squad, is nowhere in the picture as far as the national squad is concerned. However, having said this, the Uttar Pradesh all-rounder is the leading run scorer in IPL history, with 4,985 runs under his belt. CSK has won three seasons of IPL (2010, 2011 and 2018) and Raina played a crucial role in all three of them.
In IPL 2019, Raina will be desperate to go in the middle and score some runs. He has been working hard on his fitness and if the news from the sources in CSK is to believed, he is striking the ball as well as he used to.
It will be fascinating to see how ‘X-factor’ Suresh Raina will fight against odds and retain his ‘leading run scorer of IPL’ crown.
Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is, at the moment, one of the most exciting young cricketers in the world. In his short international career so far, Rishabh has impressed one and all with his aggressive style of batting. The new-look Delhi Capitals will be relying heavily on young Pant in IPL 2019.
In the last season, Pant scored 684 runs at an average of 52.61 and strike rate of 173.60. His innings of 128*off 63 balls against Sun Risers Hyderabad was the highest individual score of IPL 2018. All eyes will be on ‘X-factor’ Rishabh Pant every time Delhi Capitals will take the field in IPL 2019.
Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul
KL Rahul struggled in the Test series against England and Australia but majority of fans and pundits are still backing him and hoping that he will soon bounce back and show his class. Already in the two T20s against Australia he’s stepped up and is in fact the highest-ranked Indian batsman in the ICC’s T20 rankings.
KL was one of KXIP’s star performers in the last season. He scored 659 runs from 14 matches at an average of 54.91 and strike rate of 158.41. He was also the third leading run-scorer of the season.
In IPL 2019, KL Rahul has a point to prove as his chances to get picked for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 will depend on his current form. Even though there is Chris Gayle in KXIP squad, KL Rahul is going to be KXIP’s ‘X-factor’ in IPL 2019.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is one of the most successful franchises in IPL history. Last year, KKR ended at number 3 on the points table behind CSK and SRH. KKR have a strong squad for IPL 2019 with many big names and some really exciting youngsters. However, the big Windies all-rounder Andre Russell will their ‘X-factor’ player for the tournament.
Russell is a very hard-hitter of the cricket ball and his contributions in the lower middle order often make a huge difference in the outcome of the game. In IPL 2018, Russell played 16 matches, scored 316 runs at a strike rate of 184.79. He is also a very useful bowler and his tally of 13 wickets resulted in a solid all-round performance.
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya
Mumbai Indians had a forgettable season last time as they failed to qualify for the playoffs despite having so many big names in their squad. They lost 8 out of 14 matches in IPL 2018. However, like every year, Mumbai Indians will enter the tournament as one of the favourites.
Hardik Pandya, one of the star players of MI, will be the ‘X-factor’ player in IPL 2019. Pandya has had a tough 2019 so far, after he got involved in an ugly controversy for his comments on ‘Koffee with Karan’. Also, the Jr. Pandya has also been suffering from a back injury that forced him to be ruled out of the ongoing series against Australia at home.
Pandya is one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball and he is very useful with his swing bowling, at any stage of the innings, too. If he attains 100% before the start of the tournament, Hardik will be one of the players to watch out for in IPL 2019.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is, arguably, the most exciting young cricketer in the world. He is also one of the most popular cricketers in domestic T20 leagues across the world. In his short career so far, Rashid has impressed almost every cricket fan across the world with his quick leg-breaks, variations and most importantly, consistency. Rashid is also a very aggressive batsman and has the ability to add quick runs and play match-winning cameos is an added bonus.
In IPL 2018, Rashid picked 21 wickets for SRH at a brilliant economy of 6.73. This year, SRH fans will be hoping that the young Afghan sensation will perform even better and help them win the title once again.
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is one of the most clean hitters of the cricket ball in world cricket. Buttler was Rajasthan Royals’ best batsman in the last season of IPL. His promotion to the top of the batting order yielded great results for RR as Buttler scored 548 runs at a brilliant average of 54.80 and strike rate in excess of 155, including an IPL-record five fifties in a row.
In IPL 2019, Buttler will add the much needed ‘X-factor’ to Rajasthan Royals’ squad. RR fans would be hoping for the repeat of IPL 2018 performance and there’s no reason why the dashing Englishman can’t.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers aka Mr. 360 is one of the most loved players in the history of the game. Indian cricket fans, specially RCB fans, are crazy for him and he has earned their love and respect with his outstanding batting and unorthodox style.
AB has now retired from international cricket and fans across the world don’t get to see him batting, these days. So, in IPL 2019, when the dashing South African will take the field for RCB, all eyes will be him and as we all know, he rarely disappoints.
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