Which IPL teams would find it difficult after foreign cricketers leave?

National commitments to impact the flair and fervour of IPL 2019

Its been a month since IPL 2019 started and playoff scenarios are becoming clearer with each day. While CSK and Delhi have been in red-hot form, teams like RCB have picked up late and would find it tough if much of the results do not go their way from now on. As a league IPL enjoys a special status in the ICC calendar given how international assignments are adjusted.

While other national sides have international fixtures during their domestic league – the case in point being Ashes clashing with the Big Bash, Indian players are available for the full season of IPL. Each year some English players have left early due to start of their season but 2019 is also unique as we have the World Cup this year. So most teams are also keen on playing enough games before the mega tournament starts on May 30.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be hit when England all-rounder Moeen Ali leaves, while Chennai Super Kings will lose South Africa's leg-spinner, Imran Tahir. Kolkata Knight Riders, whose campaign started strongly but has stuttered of late, may struggle to make the playoffs if standout performer Russell heads home to the Caribbean.

Thus we today take a look at players who would leave early for national duty

Chennai Super Kings

Sam Billings and David Willey would be leaving the men in yellow but are not expected to affect the team balance having just played one game between them

Delhi Capitals

Rabada, Morris and Colin Munro – names you associate with T20 brilliance would all be available and that would make DC side a force to reckon if they reach the last 4

Mumbai Indians

The 3-time IPL champions would lose services of Aussie Behrendorff and Lasith Malinga both of whom are fantastic bowlers are part of their respective World Cup teams

Sunrisers Hyderabad

This would be the side that could sweat the most over foreign departures. Their best performers have in fact been the best in the IPL as well, David Warner is the highest run scorer and Johny Bairstow sits below him. Amongst them, they have had 4 century-plus stands. With Rashid Khan and Nabi also likely to join Afghanistan training camp SRH would need to ensure capable replacements

Kings XI Punjab

Chris Gayle and David Miller would remain perfectly intact while Afghan mystery bowler Mujeeb could be called for national duty. Safe to say they would be largely unaffected

Kolkata Knight Riders

Only Joe Denly would be leaving the side who was offered a single game. Sunil Narine and the trump card Andre Russell are going nowhere which could prove decisive in crucial games.

Rajasthan Royals

Current Skipper Steve Smith and England trio of Archer, Stokes and Buttler would be going back home and the foreign factor being particularly weak for the men in pink, the auction strategy could come in for some questioning.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Moeen Ali has made excellent contributions lower down the order and would be leaving along with Stoinis. It is expected that Colin de Grandhomme would put up some serious show to propel the Virat Kohli unit up the table.