This article is part of our IPL Preview series.
The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is about to start in less than two months and fans from all over the world are extremely excited to watch their favourite players play in the biggest T20 league in the world.
Regardless of who will win the competition, there is a certainty that cricket lovers will get to witness a lot of drama and excitement in a 55-day long event.
To build the momentum towards the tournament, we are bringing you a list of five players who must feature in your fantasy team for the upcoming edition based on their current form and previous record.
Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada is being termed as one of the best fast-bowlers across all formats currently playing the game. The right-arm pacer had an outstanding time during the tournament's previous edition where he ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker with 25 scalps. Those wickets came at the most efficient strike-rate of just 11.28 amongst all bowlers in the competition. Rabada has all the credentials to prove to be an excellent acquisition in the upcoming edition as well considering the fact that he is bowling either at the start of the innings or at the back end and on both occasions, a quality bowler is likelier to claim wickets.
Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)
West Indies' explosive all-rounder Andre Russell is being termed by many as one of the most explosive batsmen in the shortest format of the game. The 31-year-old had an outstanding IPL in 2019 where he was the franchise's top-scorer with 510 runs with a brilliant average of 56.66 and with a breathtaking strike-rate of 204.81 which was the best by any batsmen who scored more than 100 runs in the competition. That's not all, as Russell also claimed 11 wickets and took four catches. Those numbers are proof that having someone like Russell in your team is a must for a competition like IPL where he can get you points from all three departments.
David Warner (Sunrises Hyderabad)
David Warner is termed as one of the best opening batsmen in the world. The left-hander was instrumental in helping Sunrises Hyderabad cement a playoff spot as he finished the tournament with the top score of 692 at an outstanding average of 69.20 along with a strike-rate of 143.86, including one century and eight fifties. Those numbers are good enough for anyone to conclude that Warner is a player to have in your team, especially considering the fact that he has been in exceptional form for Australia across all formats in the last few months as well.
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
Jasprit Bumrah is termed as one of the best fast-bowlers in white-ball cricket. The right-arm pacer has time and again showed his class for India as well as for Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL that he has the ability to turn the game on its head any given time. In the previous campaign, Bumrah was the most successful Mumbai bowler with 19 wickets at a strike-rate of 19.47 along with an impressive economy rate of just 6.63. The 26-year-old should be one of the first few picks for your team as his record in the T20 format is just too good to ignore.
Lokesh Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)
Lokesh Rahul is undoubtedly one of the most stylish batsmen in the world but his efficiency has improved drastically over the last 12 months. The right-hander is one of the most in-form batsmen in the world in white-ball cricket and he will be eager to take his good form in the upcoming edition of the IPL as well which is why he is an ideal choice for your team. Rahul had an outstanding time in the 2019 edition of the mega-event where he finished the competition as the second-highest run-getter with 593 runs at an impressive average of 53.90 which included one century and six fifties.
