5 key players to watch out for in the UAE leg of IPL 2021

With the high-octane tournament IPL concluding immediately ahead of next month's Twenty20 World Cup, AFP Sport highlights five key players to watch in the white-ball extravaganza.

Virat Kohli: The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper will have a point to prove as his team bids to win the IPL for the first time, especially after his decision to relinquish India's Twenty20 captaincy after the World Cup. Bangalore are third in the table and there will be close analysis of the leadership skills of

Jasprit Bumrah: India's

Rashid Khan: One of the hottest properties in international cricket, Rashid showed his temperamental side when stepped down as Afghanistan's skipper for not being consulted on the World Cup squad. He remains crucial to Sunrisers Hyderabad's hopes of getting off the bottom of the IPL table. Credit: PTI Photo

Eoin Morgan: England's World Cup-winning captain has proved his worth as a leader in white-ball cricket, but it will need a special effort to lift struggling Kolkata Knight Riders into the IPL play-offs. Kolkata are seventh of the eight teams and left-hander Morgan has seen his side win only twice while scoring just 98 runs in seven outings. Credit: Instagram/eoinmorgan16

Imran Tahir: The South African spinner is the oldest player in the IPL at 42 but will play a central role for Chennai Super Kings on slow and turning UAE pitches. After being left out of South Africa's T20 World Cup squad, Tahir complained that he deserved