IPL 2019: How will teams manage with foreign players leaving?
The Indian Premier League 2019 is entering into the final phase as teams work hard to seal a spot in the play-offs. At this crucial juncture, several teams will miss their stars, as players from England, Australia and South Africa are set to leave for international duty. Others will need to step up. Here we look at the players who can replace these cricketers.
Most English players are already on their way with the ODIs coming up against Pakistan. Australian players will leave before the month ends. Further, South African players will depart within the next 10 days.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will be without the services of their openers, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. Warner (574 runs) is currently the Orange Cap holder. Bairstow (445) follows suit. One expects New Zealand's Martin Guptill to replace the enigmatic Warner. And, SRH will choose between Wriddhiman Saha and Sreevats Goswami to take the place of Bairstow. SRH's campaign could suffer in their absence.
Leaders CSK will miss the services of South African pair Imran Tahir and Faf du Plessis. Meanwhile, back-up top order option Sam Billings has already left for England. On Thursday, he faced a shoulder injury while playing for Kent. CSK will turn up to Mitchell Santner in the spin department. Fans might see Murali Vijay take on the opening role in place of Faf.
Rajasthan Royals have already seen Jos Buttler leave. The likes of Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes will not be available as well. Steve Smith is expected to miss the final game. Losing key players will hurt RR. They will turn up to Liam Livingstone, Ish Sodhi and Aston Turner. Also, pacer Oshane Thomas is there as well. But can these players fill the void?
Mumbai Indians will miss Quinton de Kock especially in the final group match and then in the knockouts (if they qualify). They will turn up to Evin Lewis when Quinton de Kock goes. Ishan Kishan is an option as well. Jason Behrendorff will not be available from May 1 onwards. Veteran left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan could be his direct replacement.
RCB will be without Moeen for their final three games. The Virat Kohli-led side will miss out on the services of Marcus Stoinis from May 1 onwards. RCB need to win all their remaining games to stand a chance for the play-offs spot, and they will look up to Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee and Shimron Hetmyer to fill in.
Delhi Capitals will miss Purple Cap holder Kagiso Rabada in the final set of games if they qualify for the play-offs. They will call Trent Boult to replace him. Kolkata Knight Riders will be without Joe Denly. He has been warming the bench since the start. KXIP will be without David Miller in their last phase. Nicholas Pooran and Moises Henriques are suitable replacements.
