Can Paarl Royals do what RR did in the inaugural season of IPL?


image-lcn6kz06Paarl Royals homeground (Source: Twitter)

The SA20 is just a couple of days away from the start. We have already taken a deep dive into the composition of three teams from this tournament. In this article we move onto the fourth team, the Paarl Royals. 

The Paarl Royals is the extension of Rajasthan Royals from the Indian Premier League. Any normal cricket follower will be aware that the inaugural season of the IPL was won by the Rajasthan Royals. So, does their South African representative have enough firepower to repeat those antiques. 

Let us first take a look at the team composition of the Royals from South Africa. 

Batters: Jos Buttler (Wicketkeeper and Opener), David Miller (Middle order batter), Jason Roy (Opener), Dane Vilas (Wicketkeeper and Middle order batter), Mitchell Van Buuren (Middle order batter), Eoin Morgan (Middle order batter).

All-Rounders: Corbin Bosch (Middle order batter and Medium fast bowler), Wihan Lubbe (Top order batter and Off spin bowler), Ferisco Adams (Medium pace bowler and Lower order batter), Evan Jones (Middle order power hitter and Medium pace bowler), Andile Phehlukwayo  (Medium pace bowler and Lower order batter).

Pace Bowlers: Obed McCoy (Pace Bowler), Lungisani Ngidi (Pace Bowler), Ramon Simmonds (Medium fast bowler), Codi Yusuf (Medium Pace Bowler).

Spinners: Tabraiz Shamsi (Left-arm wrist spinner), Bjorn Fortuin (Left arm orthodox), Imraan Manack (Off spin bowler).


Strength

1.Settled batting line-up: We will most probably see Jos Buttler and Jason Roy opening for the Paarl Royals. These two having played with each other for a long time in the nation side will compleent each other. Following them in the middle order will be Eoin Morgan and skipper David Miller, providing enough fire power. So, the batting order looks well settled. 

image-lcn6mgvzJos Buttler (Source: Twitter)

2. A South African spin bowling unit: Paarl Royals will probably use three of their four overseas players in the batting. This leaves them with little option to use overseas options in the bowleing department. But they have covered up this problem by picking up a completely South African spin bowling unit. This allows them the flexibility to go with the last overseas option in the all-rounder or pace bowler section. 


Weakness

1.Absence of enough death bowlers: Paarl Royals have Obed McCoy who will be their prime option in the death over. Barring McCoy they lack a specialist for this role.

image-lcn6nzgsObed McCoy (Source: Twitter)

2. Lack of a proper grafter in the middle order: Most of the payers in the Paarl Royals batting set up are players who will look to go hard from the very beginning. This leaves them wanting for a reputed grafter. Though Eoin Morgan is there, but to be a grafter or anchor in the middle he will have to slightly alter his natural game. Buttler might also have to adapt to this role in some of the matches. 

X-Factor

Mitchell van Buuren: The left-handed batter can turn out to be an X-Factor for the Royals. In T20s he has an average of 34 and scores runs at a healthy strike rate of 131 plus. Van Buuren might be their man who adjusts himself from being a grafter to enforcer as per the situation. The fact the he has been in a good form in the recent domestic competitions makes him teh X-Factor for Paarl Royals. 

Paarl Roylas Probable Playing XI

  1. Jos Buttler (wk) ✈️
  2. Jason Roy ✈️
  3. Wihan Lubbe
  4. Eoin Morgan✈️
  5.  David Miller (c)
  6. Mitchell van Buuren
  7. Andile Phehlukwayo 
  8. Obed McCoy ✈️
  9. Tabraiz Shamsi
  10. Lungi Ngidi
  11. Bjorn Fortuin

Also Read: Will the most successful IPL franchise translate their success to SA20?