Indian Premier League 2019: England’s got talent

From Bairstow to Billings, Buttler to Denly, THOMAS BLOW profiles the Englishmen looking to light up this year’s Indian Premier League

When it comes to the IPL, Englishmen haven’t always been in demand. In 2012, none were bought at the auction as Jimmy Anderson, Graeme Swann and Ravi Bopara went unsold. As Alastair Cook’s white-ball team failed to succeed, franchises remained uninterested.

But over the last few years, England’s top players have been in far greater demand. Alex Hales, Jason Roy and Chris Woakes have all enhanced their CVs and bank balance through securing lucrative contracts. 

Although those three won’t be at the IPL this year, there are 11 hopefuls flying out to the subcontinent to appear in the most glamourous tournament of them all. Here’s all you need to know about each player’s T20 credentials ahead of the event. 

Ben Stokes

T20 Player Index Rank: 13

Since signing for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, Stokes has experienced two contrasting campaigns. In his debut season, he scored 316 runs at 31.6 and took 12 wickets at 26.33 to be named MVP. However, last season at Rajasthan, he only managed 196 runs and eight wickets.

Recently though, the 27-year-old has rediscovered his class. In his last six T20s, he’s scored 217 runs at 43.4 and taken four wickets at 6.75. After the woes of last year, Stokes will be keen on reminding everyone why Rajasthan spent £1.4m to bring him to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

David Willey

T20 Player Index Rank: 16

2018 was Willey’s first year in the IPL after successful stints in the BBL and BPL. The left-arm bowler failed to make his mark at Chennai, appearing just three times and claiming only two wickets as MS Dhoni’s side won the tournament.

The 29-year-old’s form since has been steady. With the bat he’s scored 43 runs, and with the ball he’s managed 21 wickets. But he’s enjoyed a resurgence of late – taking 4-7 in the third T20 against the Windies. After playing on the periphery in his debut season, Willey will be hoping 2019 is his breakthrough year.

^{Kent's Joe Denly in action for Sydney Sixers}

Jos Buttler

T20 Player Index Rank: 20 

While Buttler is one of T20’s biggest names, his first two seasons in the IPL were far from remarkable. He managed 255 runs at 23.18 in 2016 and 272 at 27.20 in 2017 for Mumbai. But last year he was a revelation. The 28-year-old smashed 548 at 54.50 for the Royals to earn a call-up to the England Test side.

Since then, his performances have eased off. 492 runs in 15 T20s has seen him maintain a decent standard as he looks to balance all three formats. But after his heroics in 2018, he remains one of the most exciting Englishmen in the competition. His T20 strike rate stands at 144.03. 

Joe Denly

T20 Player Index Rank: 24

At 33, Denly is finally set to make his IPL debut after being snapped up by Kolkata. His T20 form has been electric since the summer of 2017, where he hit 567 runs and scored a famous 127 against Essex. He followed this up by smashing 146 in just four games for the Sydney Sixers – averaging 73.

Lately he’s reclaimed his place back in England’s T20 side and added another ton to his CV. Denly is also an accomplished leg-spinner. Since the start of 2017, he’s taken 30 wickets at just 18.2. Considering his recent record, KKR will be expecting much from this genuine T20 all-rounder.

Moeen Ali

T20 Player Index Rank: 59

Moeen endured a forgettable first campaign in 2018. Playing alongside Tim Southee, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, he featured only five times, scored a mere 77 runs and dismissed just three batters as Bangalore finished 6th.

But he’s prospered in T20 cricket of late – averaging 36.7 with the bat and 30.47 with the ball in his last 12 matches. The 31-year-old also captained Worcestershire to the T20 Blast title last September. After missing the recent T20 series in the Caribbean, Moeen will be fresh and raring to go.

^{Jos Buttler is one of the world's best white-ball batsmen}

Jofra Archer

T20 Player Index Rank: 63 

Archer bowled beautifully last year, taking 15 wickets at 21.66 for Rajasthan. Yet the allrounder batted poorly when called upon. In eight innings, he made just 15 runs at 3 – an aspect of his game he’ll be looking to improve this year. 

The 23-year-old – who is eligible to play for England from March 30 – has an excellent record in T20 cricket. In 81 games, he’s dismissed 105 opponents at 22.38, smashed 39 boundaries at a strike rate 136.57, and has made 23 catches. With a World Cup place in sight, he’ll be keen to impress.

Sam Billings

T20 Player Index Rank: 78

Denly’s Kent team-mate has failed to make an impact since making his IPL debut in 2016. In two years with Delhi, the 27-year-old scored 226 runs in 10 innings, and last season with Chennai, he made 108 runs; totalling his overall IPL average to just 16.7. 

However, Billings has since shown his class. In his last 15 T20 innings, he’s notched up 481 runs at 48.1. This includes a match-winning 87 against the Windies to help England recover from 32-4. An individual who still needs to prove his worth ahead of the World Cup, Chennai will be hoping 2019 will be his breakthrough campaign. His T20 strike rate is 131.16.

Liam Livingstone

T20 Player Index Rank: 170

Livingstone is new to the IPL after signing with Rajasthan. The 25-year-old, who endured a poor County Championship campaign last year with Lancashire, excelled in the T20 Blast. Despite suffering a thumb injury, the batter scored 318 runs at 45.42 and a century against Derbyshire.  

His form saw him secure a contract with the Karachi Kings. During his stint in the PSL, Livingstone scored 321 runs at 32.10 – a tally only bettered by six players. It’s also worth noting that he was striking at 130.48. With Rajasthan picking up the batter for only £50,000, he could be the bargain of the tournament.

^{Sam Curran will represent Kings XI Punjab}

Harry Gurney

T20 Player Index Rank: 181

The Nottinghamshire bowler is set to make his IPL debut after signing with Kolkata. Gurney’s T20 career has taken off following three exceptional seasons in the Blast. In 2016, he took 17 wickets at 20.11; In 2017, he claimed 21 wickets at 23.80 to help Notts win the tournament; and in 2018, he dismissed 20 batters at 19.35.

This consistency led to the 32-year-old being awarded a well-earned contract at the Melbourne Renegades, where his 10 wickets at 24.40 helped them win the BBL. Right now, there are few more consistent T20 bowlers than Gurney – and at £83,000, he could prove an absolute steal.

Sam Curran

T20 Player Index Rank: 494

It would be hard to dispute the claim that Curran was awarded an IPL contract by Kings XI Punjab because of his Test form last summer. Against India, he took 11 wickets at 23.54 and scored 272 runs at 38.85. If you’re going to make an impact against anyone, make sure it’s against India.

But he also has a decent record in T20 cricket. He’s taken 42 wickets at 28.47 and strikes at 118.90 – not bad for a 20-year-old. The main worry is that he’s not played much recently. Since returning from the Super Smash in 2018, Curran has made just four T20 appearances. Whether he’s ready for the IPL remains in doubt.

Jonny Bairstow

T20 Player Index Rank: Does Not Place

Despite not placing on the T20 Player Index, Bairstow has plenty of experience in the shorter format. He’s appeared in 99 T20s, scoring 1,766 runs at 25.22 – including an unbeaten century against Durham in 2014. He also has a credible strike rate of 127.69. Nearly a third of his appearances have come for England.

Although he hasn’t played in many franchise tournaments, the 29-year-old’s career has seen him play T20 cricket in the UAE, Sri Lanka, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Bangladesh and India. He may be an IPL rookie, but he certainly has enough experience to star in this year’s tournament.