Team India’s recent tour of New Zealand has been a case of mixed-bag performances. Virat Kohli’s poor form and KL Rahul’s tremendous run have given the fans and media several talking points before the start of high-profile IPL 2020.
The biggest T20 league in the world is all set to commence on the 29th of March. As always, the fans and teams are all gearing up to witness yet another successful season of IPL this year.
Team India, who recently finished their tour of New Zealand, was outstanding in the last T20I series that they played. The Men in Blue whitewashed the Kiwis 5-0. As far as the ODIs were concerned, New Zealand fought back and defeated India comprehensively. This defeat raises a lot of questions regarding the form of star Indian players who will feature in IPL 2020.
Leading into the start of IPL 2020, Virat Kohli’s poor form with the bat, KL Rahul’s batting heroics and Jasprit Bumrah’s rusty return – are few takeaways for fans and experts from the recent series of New Zealand.
Highlights! India’s tour of New Zealand has offered a number of takeaways before the start of IPL 2020.
- Virat Kohli’s batting failures will be a major concern for RCB before heading into IPL 2020.
- KL Rahul’s rich vein of form on the tour will be a big boost for Kings XI Punjab.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s return post-injury hasn’t been great and MI will hope he returns to his best.
Rise of KL Rahul
The elegant right-hand batsman enjoyed a career-defining tour in New Zealand in the white-ball format. Rahul was the highest run-scorer in the T20I series. He continued his rich vein of form in the ODI series where he made a sublime hundred and a half-century.
The Kings XI Punjab franchise will be hoping to see their captain continue his terrific form and lead them to their maiden IPL title this year. Rahul has matured tremendously and leading the side in the IPL will only make him a better player.
An outstanding form with the bat for the past 2 years is the reason for KL Rahul being named the captain of Kings XI Punjab this season.
His aggregate of 593 runs was the second-highest and the most by any Indian batsman in the previous edition of IPL. If Rahul can emulate his form against New Zealand, Kings XI Punjab will certainly be the front runners to become champions this season.
Batting failures of Virat Kohli
Every year the fans and the franchise of Royal Challengers Bangalore hope for a better show from their squad in the IPL and it will be no different this season. After finishing last in 2019, the team management of the star-studded RCB will be hoping that their captain can once again produce batting performances as he did in 2016 when he piled on 973 runs.
Kohli had a quiet tour of New Zealand with the bat. It is a sign of worry for RCB as captain Kohli is the cornerstone of the Bangalore team. He averaged 26 in the T20I series and only 25 in ODIs. His poor form can reflect in the performances of RCB this year as there will be extra pressure on the squad after a disappointing last season.
Wicketless Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is the jewel in the crown of Mumbai Indians. Time and time again he has single-handedly won matches with the ball for the most successful team in IPL history. After coming back from injury, Bumrah 2.0 hasn’t been able to make the difference with the ball for India.
He has looked rusty and completely
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