The IPL 2020 will be played in UAE entirely from September 19 with the final to be played on November 10. The eight franchises will leave India after August 20 and three of them are planning to carry extra players for the purpose of net sessions.
At least 50 unheralded cricketers are set to travel with the eight teams as “exclusive” net bowlers to the UAE, with three teams- Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals confirming that they are preparing a roster of exclusive net bowlers.
The list comprises mostly first-class, U-19 and U-23 state level cricketers who will get to bowl to the likes of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Rishabh Pant for close to a month.
The convention has been to use local bowlers apart from junior fringe players during the nets, but with the COVID-19 situation prevalent and the practice sessions will happen in the bio-secure bubble, all franchises will have to arrange for quality bowlers during practice sessions.
The BCCI has capped the squad strength (players) to 24, but the franchises have not been specified contingent volume which will vary from team to team but it could be safely assumed that most of the eight sides will not avail any local net bowlers.
“If all goes well, we are planning to take around 10 bowlers exclusively to UAE for the practice sessions. They will be accompanying the team and will remain till the tournament starts,” Chennai Super Kings CEO Kashi Vishwanathan told PTI on Tuesday.
A source privy to KKR camp also mentioned that “It will be a blend of players of who have played Ranji Trophy while some of having played U-23 and U-19 national level tournaments.”
The Delhi Capitals are also taking around six net bowlers who will be a part of the team’s “bio bubble”. “They will be staying with the squad and will travel with the team for the net sessions,” a franchise source said.
The Rajasthan Royals are also on the verge of finalizing the number of net bowlers they can carry and along with Royal Challengers Bangalore, they can arrange players from their own academies.
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“Someone like former India U-19 Aditya Thackeray could gain a lot if RCB decides to take him for net sessions where he can bowl to a Virat Kohli. Aditya is a part of the RCB developmental squad,” a senior talent scout of a franchise said.
A healthy number of spinners are expected in the net bowlers’ contingent.
“On slow Dubai tracks, it will be important that teams stack up their line-up with more spinners, especially for humid conditions. You will see a lot of left-arm spinners and wrist spinners who have played a decent level cricket being included apart from the pacers,” the talent scout said.
(PTI inputs)
