Australia, England, Bangladesh and South African cricketers are all on their way out of the ongoing 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) owing to international duty.
The massive mass exodus of some of the biggest international stars have grabbed the headlines and now teams must react to coping without them. Several of these foreign stars had lit up the league so far this season.
But then it is, after all, the year of the ICC World Cup 2019 that starts from May 30 onwards in England and Wales.
England players have left with the ODI series against Pakistan up next. Australian players are to be absent from May 1 onwards with South Africa and Bangladesh following suit.
Two teams (Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals) have already qualified for the IPL 2019 playoffs. The likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab could vie for two places.
Kolkata Knight Riders have an outside chance. The major impact of IPL’s foreign exodus will be in effect right from teams’ last 1-2 games in the group stage, followed by the playoffs.
It’s an important stage ahead for these franchises in how they react to the situation and replace their assets with the right players. Also, there are hopes and expectations running on the performances in this crucial juncture of IPL 2019.
Also, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are out of the competition and will now play for pride in IPL 2019. Therefore, we leave them out.
Here we analyse how the main franchises in contention will be affected and how they could react.
Sunrisers Hyderabad could be affected badly
The Orange Army need to thank the world class David Warner for the position that they are in. SRH are fourth at the moment with 12 points in the bag and have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. The situation they put themselves in is largely because of lone warrior Warner.
The southpaw has been the best performer of the season and ended his IPL 12 campaign with 692 runs from 12 games. It was absolute carnage and consistency from Warner.
Not having the Aussie star for their last two group games could affect SRH’s qualification hopes. He has scored the bulk of runs for the southern giants. Prior to Warner, Englishman Jonny Bairstow had departed after having played 10 games.
The debutant smashed 445 runs and was a rock at the top alongside Warner. They amassed nine fifty-plus stands and two century stands as a pair this season.
Besides the two all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan himself is also slated to return to Bangladesh by early May to join his team in time to leave for UK to participate in the tri-series featuring Ireland and West Indies that stretches from 5-17 May.
SRH have Martin Guptill as a direct replacement for Warner. The aggressive Kiwi international has two matches to showcase his potential and help SRH qualify. We have already seen Wriddhiman Saha replacing Bairstow upfront.
SRH lack the impetus here in terms of able replacements. Both these players have hardly featured this term, so their confidence will be the factor here.
As for Shakib, SRH will go with Mohammad Nabi as his direct replacement. The Afghan has done remarkably well so far.
CSK to miss two big Proteas stars
While South Africa’s cricket board has not officially announced the dates of the national camp for the 2019 World Cup, the Proteas players are not expected to stay till the end of the season.
One feels that they are likely to miss out post the group stage. So for a team like CSK, two of their mega stars will be a big miss.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, in fact, is CSK’s highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in his 12 outings. The veteran spin king has contributed immensely towards CSK’s success this season.
Not having him for the playoffs could dent them a bit. The MS Dhoni-led CSK side boasts of strong names in the spin department. So they will be expected to react well.
Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner have all played a major role in CSK’s campaign. So Dhoni will turn up to them in the decisive stage.
Far du Plessis is another mega star that will miss CSK’s final phase of the IPL 2019 campaign. He has been electric on the field and provides the solidity factor upfront.
Murali Vijay, who featured in CSK’s previous match, will be a direct replacement for Faf. But will Vijay bring that comfort level?
MI to be without De Kock and Behrendorff
Quinton de Kock has been MI’s top run-scorer this season with 393 runs. The southpaw, who brings plenty of affirmation upfront, could miss out if MI reach the playoffs.
They need one victory though to book a place. MI are currently third on the table with seven wins under their belt.
MI will react with some changes, with Evin Lewis coming in to open with Rohit Sharma.
The West Indian has played just two games this season. Jason Behrendorff’s IPL 2019 campaign is over as he has left to join the Aussie training camp. MI have quality bowlers to lead the line.
We feel Mitchell McClenaghan would come in as a direct replacement for the player in the final two group stage matches.
DC will be without the sensational Rabada
The IPL 2019 season has belonged to Kagiso Rabada. Like Warner with the bat, Rabada has played exceedingly well with the ball and is way ahead then rest of the bowlers this term.
The Purple Cap holder has been significant in helping DC reach their first playoffs after seven seasons.
Rabada’s consistency and wicket-taking attributes makes him the standout bowler. He picked up 25 wickets for the franchise already in 12 matches. He could help the side finish in top two.
DC will miss Rabada’s services in the playoffs. He has been influential with two four-wicket hauls, besides an average of 14.72.
DC will look up to New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult to come in and dictate the proceedings. Boult was their best performer with the ball last season (17 wickets). He has the character to be an able replacement for Rabada.
What about KKR, KXIP and RR?
These three outfits are still the outsiders in IPL 2019. They have a chance to somehow make it through if things go their way. KKR are fifth, with KXIP and RR following suit.
All three teams have 10 points a piece and it’s the NRR separating them. Now out of these three teams, RR are the one that will be deeply impacted.
They will be without skipper Steve Smith, who has played a solid hand and added composure in the middle. Jofra Archer is another player that left for England alongside Ben Stokes.
All-rounder Archer will be their biggest miss, given the attributes he brings on to the field. He had a terrific season individually.
The side also lost Jos Buttler beforehand. But they have replaced him well. As for KKR, they do not have to sweat. Joe Denly has left the side, but he featured in just one match. So it doesn’t bother KKR.
As far KXIP is concerned, they will miss David Miller. The Proteas star hasn’t contributed as expected. KXIP will replace him with a foreign star such as Moises Henriques.