IPL 2020: One batsman from each team who can play the sheet anchor role

#3 Mayank Agarwal (Kings XI Punjab)

Mayank Agarwal should utilize his purple patch to the fullest

Going into IPL 2020, Kings XI Punjab has arguably the most devastating batting line-up on paper with the presence of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle at the top and the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Karun Nair, James Neesham in the middle-order.

To convert this strength into a success story, KXIP could bank on Mayank Agarwal to keep his end risk free so that other heavyweights can try and dominate the opposition bowlers. Though the 28-year-old batsman has not tasted a lot of success in IPL, he is currently in the form of his life and would like to utilise it to the fullest.

Last year, the Karnataka batsman tried too hard to counter-attack the opponents, thereby losing consistency. This year, he should step up to play more responsibly and help others play around him.

IPL Career: Matches - 77, Runs - 1266, Avg. - 18.34, SR - 128.13, HS - 68

---

#4 Shubman Gill (Kolkata Knight Riders)

KKR will bank on young shoulders to guide their innings

Since letting go Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will put the onus on Shubman Gill to open the batting. The 20-year-old batsman is someone who likes to play the long innings rather than brisk cameos and is most suited to play the sheet anchor role for the 2-time champs.

KKR has attacking options in Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, and skipper Dinesh Karthik which makes it crucial for the Punjab cricketer to hold one end and allow the rest to take more risks.

IPL Career: Matches - 27, Runs - 499, Avg. - 33.26, SR - 132.36, HS - 76

---

#5 Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)

Rohit Sharma can help others batsmen to play their natural game

Mumbai Indians (MI) have an aggressive set of batsmen in Quinton de Kock, the recently signed Chris Lynn, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and have often struggled when their top order has failed. MI needs a batsman who can guide the innings and take control of the game, thereby allowing others to have a crack at it.

Skipper Rohit Sharma is a perfect player to take up this role as he mostly bats in the top 3 and might be willing to open with de Kock and Lynn on some occasions which will need him to lower the gear and take the risks out of the equation from his end.

IPL Career: Matches - 188, Runs - 4898, Avg. - 31.60, SR - 130.82, HS - 109*

---

Note: All statistics as of February 7, 2020