5 Australian players to watch in the 2020 IPL

Australian cricket has always had a relatively strong relationship with the IPL. Indeed, it would be fair to say that it was the IPL that helped Cricket Australia implement the successful Big Bash League tournament. The likes of David Warner and Glenn Maxwell have played over 15 seasons between them, and others, such as Steve Smith and Aaron Finch have healthy amounts of experience in the competition.

With 15 Australians set to take part in this year's edition of the tournament, it is clear that Australians may have a decisive say on which teams are successful.

With this in mind, here's a list of five Australian players who could have an outstanding tournament. This may be due to a variety of reasons, from form to experience, but it is clear that all players on this list have an excellent amount of skill and talent in the shortest format.

#1 Pat Cummins - Kolkata Knight Riders

Pat Cummins became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history at the auction for the 2020 edition of the tournament, going for an exhilarating Rs 15.5 Crore. This shows just how much Pat Cummins' stock has risen over the past couple of years. He's become the best Test bowler in the world while also performing admirably in the shorter formats, both domestically and internationally.

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It must be stated, however, that Cummins hasn't always had successful IPL tournaments. In his first four matches, over the course of two seasons, Cummins was only able to claim two wickets. This may be due to injury problems or even a lack of experience, and in 2017 when Cummins was able to string together a decent run of games, the quick bowler took 15 wickets at an admirable economy rate of just over 8.

With his injury issues appearing to be behind him, and over two years as a regular in all formats for his country, Cummins certainly has the ability to make himself worth the investment. With pace, skill and two years of top form behind him, Cummins is ready to finally take the IPL by storm.

#2 Aaron Finch - Royal Challengers Bangalore

BBL - Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat

Aaron Finch has never quite been able to show what he is worth in the biggest T20 competition in the world. His best season came in 2013, when he scored 456 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 135. However, since then his form has been sketchy and he's yet to have a season averaging over 30, something which he is capable of managing.

Despite this, Finch was the subject of an intense bidding war at the 2020 IPL auction between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This saw his base price of Rs 1 Crore rise to Rs 4.40 Crore before RCB finally got their man. This proves that Finch is still highly regarded in the white ball format as a big hitter up top and with a wealth of experience behind him he won't be daunted by the big stage.

After an excellent World Cup in 2019, where he hit over 500 runs at an average over 50 and a strike rate over 100, Finch finally looks set to have an IPL worthy of his immense talent. If so, combined with Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers, this may finally be the year RCB and their captain can lift the IPL trophy.

#3 Glenn Maxwell - Kings IX Punjab

Australia v South Africa - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Being given the nickname 'The Big Show', it is easy to see why Glenn Maxwell is held in such a high regard in T20 tournaments all around the world, and it was no shock when Kings IX Punjab picked him up for the high price of Rs 10.75 Crore.

Maxwell's IPL statistics are extremely healthy, accumulating 1397 runs at a strike rate of over 160, and even chipping in with 16 wickets since his debut in 2012. His best year came in 2017, when he scored 310 runs at a strike rate of 173, and claimed seven wickets with at a very healthy economy of 6.57.

However, since then, his returns have dipped, with the 2018 IPL being particularly barren with the bat; he only averaged 14. And in 2019, he had a mediocre World Cup for Australia, resulting in him eventually needing a break from the game, citing mental health issues.

Having taken a break from the 2019-20 domestic season, and being dropped from Australia's ODI squad that toured India earlier this year, Maxwell now has a point to prove. It must be said, however, that in this year's iteration of the BBL, the all-rounder has gone some way to relinquishing doubts, having scored 373 runs at a strike rat of over 150 and taking seven wickets going at less than seven runs an over.

Being experienced in the tournament and format, and with a World Cup place there for the taking, this has all the warning sides of being a return to the show for Maxwell.

#4 Marcus Stoinis - Delhi Capitals

Marcus Stoinis has consistently performed in the Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars. He is currently the top scorer in this year's iteration of the competition, with 607 runs at an average of over 60, including his memorable 147 not out against the Sydney Sixers at the MCG. He was also top scorer in the previous year's competition, with 533 runs with an average of 53. The batting all-rounder has even been able to carry this form over to the IPL, with the 2019 tournament yielding him 211 at an average of 52

With this in mind, it could be argued that Stoinis is one of the most in-form T20 batsmen in world cricket right now. If Stoinis is able to carry this form to the IPL, then there is no reason why he cannot have another good tournament with the bat. Stoinis' handy ability with the ball shouldn't be overlooked, having already picked up 15 wickets in previous IPL years.

It must also be acknowledged that, much like Maxwell, Stoinis has a point to prove. After a disappointing 2019 ODI World Cup, especially with the bat, there is still some question over his place in the upcoming T20I World Cup squad. And a good IPL will surely guarantee a place in the Australian team.

#5 David Warner - Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever grace the IPL. In the last five seasons, the destructive opener has topped the runs chart on three separate occasions, in 2015, 2017 and 2019. His return in 2019 was after missing the previous season having been banned after the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. His IPL career statistics stand at 4706 runs at an average of 43 and a strike-rate of 142, and these numbers are only expected to improve during this year's tournament.

Coming off the back of an excellent World Cup, and an impressive home summer in all formats that included his first international T20 century, Warner now already seems to be in prime position to once again win the Orange Cap this season. With his skill and form, combined with his newly-found partnership with Jonny Bairstow, Warner will already have bowlers worried at the thought of bowling to Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year's IPL.

At 33 years of age, this may be an Indian summer for Warner, and yet no one believes he'll go out without a bang. Watch out in the stands.