One player each IPL team should try to acquire in the trade window
The world's most popular T20 tournament, the IPL, is back in the news. Even though the 13th edition of the cash-rich league is more than seven months away, the franchises are working overtime to build a strong squad for the next season.
Generally, IPL teams rely on the auction to add fresh faces to the squad in a bid to improve on their previous year's performances. However, the teams have now started to make full use of the trade window to release surplus players and buy resources who can fit into their scheme of things.
The first trade of the season has already been executed with Mumbai Indians trading Mayank Markande with Delhi Capitals for the hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford.
By now, the team managements will have figured out their shortcomings from last season and identified players who can help them form a strong outfit for the grueling season ahead. Here, we look at one player each team should try to acquire in the trade window in order to strengthen their side ahead of IPL 2020.
#8 Rajasthan Royals - Ankit Rajpoot (from Kings XI Punjab)
Rajasthan Royals did not have the best of seasons this year as the team failed to make it to the playoffs. While the team's batting clicked more often than not, their bowling was a big let-down.
They invested heavily in Jaydev Unadkat, who yet again failed to justify his price tag. Unadkat picked up only 10 wickets with an economy of 10.66 in the season.
The other Indian pacers in the side, Dhawal Kulkarni (6 wickets in 10 games) and Varun Aaron (4 wickets in 5 games) did not look threatening either.
Considering the poor form of their fast bowlers, the Royals would need to look for Indian pacers for next season, and someone like Ankit Rajpoot can come in handy. Rajpoot struggled to find a regular place in Punjab's playing XI and ended up playing just four games through the season.
The Kings already have a strong pace-attack and might opt to give away Rajpoot. The Uttar Pradesh seamer, who has played 23 IPL matches so far, can be a perfect addition to the weak-looking Royals' bowling unit.