Rahul Tewatia stars as Sunil Narine struggles: Six hits and six misses of IPL 2020

Some of the heroes have been journeymen as well as unheralded, uncapped Indians, while not all the stars who were meant to shine have delivered

HITS: Varun Chakravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders; 17 wickets, 6.84 economy rate): From applying for architecture jobs in Dubai, to starring in the IPL here. He took the most wickets in a side including Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson and Sunil Narine. No surprise, then, that he has been called into the India squad to face Australia. Sportzpics for BCCI

Rahul Tewatia (Rajasthan Royals; 255 runs at 42.5; 10 wickets, 7.08 economy rate): Brought the tournament to life with his Jekyll and Hyde innings in the extraordinary run chase against Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. The fact he fielded well and took wickets, too, meant his signing from Delhi was a good one for Rajasthan. Sportzpics for BCCI

Thangarasu Natarajan (Sunrisers Hyderabad; 14 wickets, 7.78 economy rate): One of the sweetest stories of this IPL has been the emergence of this son of a father who works in a textiles mill and a mother who runs a roadside food stall. His death bowling has been so reliable for Hyderabad. Sportzpics for BCCI

Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians; 428 runs at 47.55): Two of the outstanding players in Mumbai’s title defence so far have been uncapped Indians, Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. Kishan started the tournament out of the side, but played one of the most thrilling innings of the season, when he made 99 in a tie against RCB, and thrived thereafter. Sportzpics for BCCI

Devdutt Padikkal (Royal Challengers Bangalore; 472 runs at 33.71): He was highly-regarded by those in the know ahead of this season, but the way he has established himself in arguably the most glittering batting line up in the tournament has been astounding. Five half centuries in the competition so far is highly impressive. Sportzpics for BCCI

Anrich Nortje (Delhi Capitals; 19 wickets, 7.96 economy rate): The South African fast bowler was only recruited as a late injury replacement for Chris Woakes, but he has been a revelation for Delhi. Not least on the speed gun. He bowled the fastest ball in IPL history in a game in Sharjah. Sportzpics for BCCI

MISSES: Kedar Jadhav (Chennai Super Kings; 62 runs at 20.66): Stephen Fleming, CSK’s coach, was testy in one press conference when Jadhav’s place in the line up was questioned. By the end of the league, though, he was basically unselectable, with a strike rate of 93.93. Sportzpics for BCCI

Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders; 121 runs at 13.44; 5 wicket, 7.94 economy rate): The KKR great already looked out of sorts, so when the old doubts about his bowling action resurfaced, it hardly helped. Taken off the dubious action list, but he was still way off his best. Sportzpics for BCCI

Sheldon Cottrell (Kings XI Punjab; 6 wickets, 8.8 economy rate): The captivating West Indies left-arm quick was one of the big money buys at auction ahead of this season, but he was stunned by Rahul Tewatia at Sharjah, and only ended up playing six of the 14 games. Sportzpics for BCCI

Josh Philippe (Royal Challengers Bangalore; 78 runs at 19.5): Rated as one of the top prospects in Australian cricket, and he arrived in the UAE from touring the UK. As soon as he arrived, he went straight into the RCB XI and was given the gloves. But he has been run shy, and has played just five matches so far. Sportzpics for BCCI

Prithvi Shaw (Delhi Capitals; 228 runs at 19): Not the only Delhi youngster who has underperformed with the bat. Rishabh Pant has been out of sync, too. But Shaw’s performances have also been undermined by lapses in the field, too. Sportzpics for BCCI

Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals; 40 runs at 13.33): This certainly felt like a tournament too soon for a left-hander who had excelled for India at the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa in January and February. Low scores and a strike rate of 90 saw him shuffled out of Rajasthan’s side promptly. Sportzpics for BCCI

Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has a habit of making stars of lesser known cricketers. This exiled campaign in the UAE has been no exception.

Some of the heroes of this season have been journeymen cast off by other franchises, as well as unheralded, uncapped Indians, and a mystery spinner who gave up a career as an architect to give cricket a go.

Conversely, not all the stars who were meant to shine have delivered. These have been some of the hits and misses of the league phase.

The photo gallery above looks at six players who have shone in the UAE and another six who have struggled this season. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.