We’re barely 15 days away from the commencements of IPL 2021! IPL has been a festival for cricket fans across the globe and is viewed by almost every cricket fan. Every franchise seems ready for the 14th edition of the league. Hoover, no matter how ready or strong a team is, it is the opening pair which dictates how the team is generally going to perform. The openers are one of the most important players of a cricket team and every franchise has their opening combination settled. Today we shall be predicting the opening combination of every fragrance for the upcoming IPL 2021:
1) Chennai Super Kings- Gaikwad and Faf Du Plessis:
This was the opening combination which CSK went with in the final few matches of the group stage last time around. They were successful and there seems to be no reason to change this combination. The experience of Faf and the fresh legs of Gaikwad make them a really strong pair at the top.
2) Mumbai Indians- Rohit Sharma and QDK:
It would be safe to call them the best opening pair since IPL 2019. Both of them have been absolutely marvellous and MI should stick to the 2 at the top. QDK and Rohit are arguably two of the greatest T20 players going around and have to open the innings for MI this time as well.
3) Royal Challengers Bangalore- Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikal:
Devdutt was absolutely sensational for RCB in IPL 2020 and has shown his potential at the top of the order. Kohli in the meanwhile himself said that he’d be opening for RCB this season, thus confirming his position. This means he and Devdutt would be RCB’s openers for IPL 2021.
4) Sunrisers Hyderabad- David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha:
The opening combination of Saha and Warner did wonders for SRH last time around. They had 3 100-run partnerships between them and looked superb as a batting pair. Besides, Saha at the top not only enables them to play a proper wicketkeeper but also ensures that Kane Williamson is in the XI and bats at 3 no matter what.
5) Delhi Capitals- Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw:
Dhawan has been DC’s best batsman for quite a while now. He’s been their leading run scorer for the past 2 seasons. Shaw on the other hand hasn’t really been able to justify his place at the top and was dropped midway last season. However, he had a good domestic season and looks all set to accompany Dhawan at the top.
6) Kolkata Knight Riders- Shubhman Gill and Rahul Tripathi:
Gill is regarded as the future of KKR’s batting and watching him open the innings shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody. He was decent in the last season and played the role of an anchor to perfection. He’ll be accompanied by Rahul Tripathi, who has been good as an opener and has a unique ability to go after bowlers in the powerplay overs.
7) Rajasthan Royals- Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes:
It is safe to say that Rajasthan Royals are probably the only team to not have a fixed opening combination. Despite being absolute beasts, Buttler and Stokes have done good for RR only at the top. This might force the RR management to make Buttler and Stokes their permanent openers. Opening with their big guns could be a boon or curse for RR, Only time will tell.
8) Punjab Kings- KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal:
This should be a no brainer. PBKS skipper KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal scored bulk of the runs for their franchise in IPL 2020 and should continue to do so. Besides, both of them are childhood friends and compliment each other at the top. If PBKS are to have a good season then they’d have to hope that the 2 of them have a good season as well.