IPL 2020: Mohammad Nabi and other big names who deserve more playing time

Three teams – Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore – have broken away from the rest of the chasing pack, while the final play-off spot remains up for grabs.The teams at the front have largely figured out their best combinations and have arrived at a settled playing XI. Meanwhile, the teams at the back of the queue are still constantly changing and chopping in a bid to give fresh impetus to their respective campaigns.

With less than three weeks of action remaining in the tournament, there are still several players who are yet to make a single appearance. As Chris Gayle showed in his first IPL 2020 outing for Kings XI Punjab, there are players on the fringes who can still make a big impact.

Few would have expected Imran Tahir to be frozen out of the Chennai playing XI, especially considering the success he had with the side in the 2019 edition. While he might not be a spring chicken anymore at the age of 41, Tahir has time and time again shown that age is just a number for him It is no secret that T20s have been the South African’s true calling, and his rise to the No1 ICC ranking in the format in 2016 is testament to his skills. For a leg-spinner who peaked only after he turned 30, Tahir wouldn’t look out of place for any IPL outside, let alone Chennai’s aging side under MS Dhoni.

His 26 wickets in the last IPL at an economy-rate of less than seven warrants more faith in his abilities, and it is unfortunate that he has been restricted to carrying drinks in the ongoing campaign. Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo have locked down the four overseas slots in CSK’s playing XI for now However, fellow-spinner Mitchell Santner’s all-round abilities might give him the edge over Tahir. Which will be a shame, given how effective Tahir’s variations could be on the slow pitches in the UAE.