IPL 2020: Analysing the wicket-keeping options of all 8 teams

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to be held in the UAE, and will start on the 19th of September. All 8 teams have already travelled to the UAE, and are currently undergoing a 6-day quarantine period as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Analysing the keeping options of all 8 IPL 2020 teams

With preparations for the tournament soon to be in full swing, we take a look at each team's wicket-keeping options and decide who is likely to don the gloves.

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#8 Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni will finally be in action in the 2020 IPL

Options: MS Dhoni, Narayan Jagadeesan

The most obvious choice on this list, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni will don the gloves in the 2020 IPL. The former Indian skipper recently announced his retirement from international cricket, and will be seen in action for the first time since India's heart-breaking loss to New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup.

His deputy, Narayan Jagadeesan, has been incredibly consistent for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit. The young batsman is even known as Mr. TNPL due to the mountain of runs that he has amassed in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. However, it is unlikely that he gets a game in year's IPL, unless Dhoni is rested, or God forbid, injured.

Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav's part-time wicket-keeping are the other options at CSK's disposal, with Sam Billings' release leaving them short of specialist keepers.

Verdict - MS Dhoni

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#7 Mumbai Indians

Quinton de Kock is expected to be behind the stumps for MI in IPL 2020

Options: Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Aditya Tare

Another relatively straight-forward choice, Quinton de Kock will partner Chris Lynn at the top of the order and will be entrusted with the wicket-keeping responsibilities.

Although Ishan Kishan is another viable choice, the Jharkhand batsman's place in the XI isn't guaranteed due to the presence of Suryakumar Yadav and the all-rounder trio Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard. Even if he does play, he is a far better fielder than De Kock and shouldn't don the gloves.

Mumbai Indians cult hero Aditya Tare is the third-choice option, but the 32-year-old is unlikely to feature regularly for Rohit Sharma's side.

Verdict - Quinton de Kock

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#7 Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant has been replaced by KL Rahul as the keeper in India's white-ball teams

Options: Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey

Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has lost his place in the white-ball setups to KL Rahul, but he will keep for the Delhi Capitals in the 2020 IPL. The dashing young batsman has been at the team throughout his IPL career, with an average of over 35 and a strike rate of over 160.

Australian gloveman Alex Carey is yet to play an IPL game, and will be no more than a backup for Pant due to the presence of many other key overseas players like Kagiso Rabada and Shimron Hetmyer.

Hetmyer is another part-time option at DC's disposal, but it is clear who the team's primary keeper is.

Verdict - Rishabh Pant

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#6 Kolkata Knight Riders

Captain Dinesh Karthik will direct traffic from behind the sticks in the 2020 IPL

Options: Dinesh Karthik, Tom Banton, Nikhil Naik

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik will direct traffic from behind the stumps in the 2020 IPL. The wicket-keeper has taken the most catches by a stumper in the IPL, with 101 takes, 7 more than MS Dhoni. With 131 dismissals in total, Karthik is behind the 2011 World Cup-winning captain by a solitary dismissal.

Englishman Tom Banton is second-choice for KKR, but whether he will play ahead of Eoin Morgan is a question that must be asked. With Pat Cummins, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine locking in three overseas slots, the 21-year-old might be on the bench. Even if he plays, Karthik will don the gloves.

Nikhil Naik is the third option, but is unlikely to play at all.

Verdict - Dinesh Karthik

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#5 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Parthiv Patel is the front-runner to keep wickets for RCB in the 2020 IPL

Options: Parthiv Patel, Josh Philippe, AB de Villiers

Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel is likely to be RCB's primary wicket-keeper in the 2020 IPL. The diminutive opener has donned the gloves in the last two IPL seasons for Virat Kohli's men, and will be crucial at the top of the order alongside Aaron Finch.

Australia Josh Philippe is his replacement, and the young batsman is rated very highly by the Kangaroos' white-ball skipper and RCB teammate Finch. The 23-year-old is unlikely to feature regularly in this year's IPL, though.

The versatile AB de Villiers is an able backup for both players, and head coach Simon Katich recently said that the South African keeping wickets is something that is being considered, although he hasn't donned the gloves in the past few seasons.

Verdict - Parthiv Patel

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#3 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Jonny Bairstow is part of arguably the IPL's best opening combination alongside David Warner

Options: Jonny Bairstow, Wriddhiman Saha, Shreevats Goswami

Englishman Jonny Bairstow is the front-runner to don the gloves for David Warner's side, although the presence of Indian Test wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha does pose a selection dilemma.

Bairstow amassed 445 runs in his debut IPL season in 2019, and is a sureshot fixture in the XI. Saha, on the other hand, made only 5 appearances but is a far more solid gloveman.

Shreevats Goswami is also in the squad, but it is highly likely that Bairstow will SRH's main keeper. If Saha finds a spot in the XI, however, he is certain to be behind the wickets.

Verdict - Jonny Bairstow

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#2 Kings XI Punjab

KL Rahul is KXIP's captain for the 2020 IPL

Options: KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Simran Singh

KXIP captain KL Rahul is likely to be the third wicket-keeper-cum-captain in the 2020 IPL, although his appointment to the leadership role might open up a window of opportunity for Nicholas Pooran.

With the West Indian not guaranteed a spot in the XI, Rahul might just take it upon himself to do the role that has been entrusted to him in the Indian limited-overs setups, despite the additional responsibility.

The 28-year-old also has the young Simran Singh to call upon, but is likely to keep for KXIP in the 2020 IPL.

Verdict - KL Rahul

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#1 Rajasthan Royals

RR have two quality keepers in their first-choice XI for the 2020 IPL

Options: Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Robin Uthappa, Anuj Rawat

Perhaps the team that is most spoilt for choice in the wicket-keeping department, RR can call upon two world-class stumpers in Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler.

Both Buttler and Samson donned the gloves at different points during the 2019 season, so this is perhaps the toughest one to call. The purchase of veteran batsman Robin Uthappa, who has kept wickets for KKR, is another good - if unlikely - option.

With three leg-spinners in the side, RR will need their wicket-keeper to be at his best. Buttler and Samson are both good fielders, but the Englishman should get the nod since he has recently played the Test series against West Indies and Pakistan.

Buttler's keeping did come under the scanner, but he alleviated some of the concerns with a few screamers in the 3rd Test vs Pakistan.

Verdict - Jos Buttler

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