Clouded by a basket of controversies and issues, the IPL has managed to survive the hassle. Talks about scrapping and scares of banning few of its teams, the league has been on a roller coaster ride since quite a few months. With elections round the corner in the country, the league has seen a shift of venue for its first leg in UAE. This edition’s auction has seen different players under different teams. Here is a look at the different teams.
Chennai Super Kings...
A team with a high success rate in IPL, CSK have been smart buyers at the auction. They have retained their core players as always. This ensures that the new players that have come in now can build a web around the nucleus. Their batting looks even stronger with Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum in the side. The inclusion of Baba Aparjith looks like a smart move as he is an exciting talent in the domestic arena. The absence of Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay might hurt them but their batting is stronger than it looks.
Delhi Daredevils...
Delhi without Sehwag sounds quite weird for most of us, but that’s what it is. Delhi have not played up to the expectations of their fans and the viewers. Rather, they have underplayed their potential. But this time the team has got a new look as Kevin Pietersen takes up as the captain and the team has grabbed a lot of overseas talent like that of J.P Duminy, Quinton De Cock. The purchase of Mohammad Shami looks really exciting as he has proved to be a great resource. The team will be thanking their stars for having bought Murali Vijay as he is a really good and experienced opener.
Kimgs XI Punjab...
Punjab have had a jinx in the league. On paper the team always looks good but otherwise things don’t work for them and they end up in the bottom-4. But this time it could be an exception for the simple pattern that they seemed to have followed. The pattern is the keenness that they have showed in Aussie talents. They have bought Maxwell, Bailey and Johnson. All the three are exceptional talents. The Johnson-Balaji duo sounds really threatening. Sehwag has found some place for himself in the squad. Many have undermined his current form, but the kind of impact he can have on the opposition is too deadly to ignore.
Kolkata Knight Riders...
Since the past two editions, KKR have really looked like a team to beat. Having won the title once, KKR has shaped as a complete unit. Highlights of this years’ squad would be the Narine-Chawla spin duo. This duo can set the opposition on fire. Their batting is ideal for the league. With Gambhir at the top followed by Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Ryan Ten, their batting order really looks balanced. The team would be happy to have Morkel but will miss the services of Lee.
Mumbai Indians...
Sans-Tendulkar, the defending champions will have their first outing. Their batting looks a bit different with the inclusion of Mike Hussey and Corey Anderson. Mike Hussey can bring in balance while Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Corey Anderson can destroy oppositions. What adds to their advantage is the unbeatable think-tank that MI possess with the likes of Kumble, Tendulkar and Rhodes.
Rajasthan Royals...
A comphrensive unit, Rajasthan has made it a point to get the nucleus of their last year’s side back in the team. In the previous edition they came up as a perfect unit under Rahul Dravid. This time, they are devoid of his services but he has an important role to play as their mentor. They have not been keen in making many changes but Unmukt Chand has made his way through the team.
Royal Challengers Bangalore...
I think RCB is the only team which has got more strength than weaknesses but they have not made it to the title. A few gaps if filled could do the job for them. Their batting looks strong as always with Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and De Villiers in the side. But the bid that got most eyebrows up was that of Yuvraj Singh. A rather costly bid, people say, but I personally believe that he can be very useful if set up well. Their bowling looks a bit apprehensive but if Virat Kohli can use them well, there is nothing like it.
Sunrisers Hyderabad...
If one sees the squad, one might observe that they lack luster on paper. But let us not forget IPL is not a game on paper. It is most likely that Dhawan will take up as the captain but what amazes me is the number of pace-heads they possess. Steyn, Pathan, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar: Dhawan will be surely spoiled for choice. Their bowling looks even deadlier with Amit Mishra in the side.
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Thus, after having a look at each team, it looks as if we’re going to have a jolly good time with IPL. At least I am hoping to have one. It is definitely going to be around 2 months of great league cricket. HAPPY IPL! ;)
Beyond the dressing room,
-Prashanti
A team with a high success rate in IPL, CSK have been smart buyers at the auction. They have retained their core players as always. This ensures that the new players that have come in now can build a web around the nucleus. Their batting looks even stronger with Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum in the side. The inclusion of Baba Aparjith looks like a smart move as he is an exciting talent in the domestic arena. The absence of Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay might hurt them but their batting is stronger than it looks.
Delhi Daredevils...
Delhi without Sehwag sounds quite weird for most of us, but that’s what it is. Delhi have not played up to the expectations of their fans and the viewers. Rather, they have underplayed their potential. But this time the team has got a new look as Kevin Pietersen takes up as the captain and the team has grabbed a lot of overseas talent like that of J.P Duminy, Quinton De Cock. The purchase of Mohammad Shami looks really exciting as he has proved to be a great resource. The team will be thanking their stars for having bought Murali Vijay as he is a really good and experienced opener.
Kimgs XI Punjab...
Punjab have had a jinx in the league. On paper the team always looks good but otherwise things don’t work for them and they end up in the bottom-4. But this time it could be an exception for the simple pattern that they seemed to have followed. The pattern is the keenness that they have showed in Aussie talents. They have bought Maxwell, Bailey and Johnson. All the three are exceptional talents. The Johnson-Balaji duo sounds really threatening. Sehwag has found some place for himself in the squad. Many have undermined his current form, but the kind of impact he can have on the opposition is too deadly to ignore.
Kolkata Knight Riders...
Since the past two editions, KKR have really looked like a team to beat. Having won the title once, KKR has shaped as a complete unit. Highlights of this years’ squad would be the Narine-Chawla spin duo. This duo can set the opposition on fire. Their batting is ideal for the league. With Gambhir at the top followed by Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Ryan Ten, their batting order really looks balanced. The team would be happy to have Morkel but will miss the services of Lee.
Mumbai Indians...
Sans-Tendulkar, the defending champions will have their first outing. Their batting looks a bit different with the inclusion of Mike Hussey and Corey Anderson. Mike Hussey can bring in balance while Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Corey Anderson can destroy oppositions. What adds to their advantage is the unbeatable think-tank that MI possess with the likes of Kumble, Tendulkar and Rhodes.
Rajasthan Royals...
A comphrensive unit, Rajasthan has made it a point to get the nucleus of their last year’s side back in the team. In the previous edition they came up as a perfect unit under Rahul Dravid. This time, they are devoid of his services but he has an important role to play as their mentor. They have not been keen in making many changes but Unmukt Chand has made his way through the team.
Royal Challengers Bangalore...
I think RCB is the only team which has got more strength than weaknesses but they have not made it to the title. A few gaps if filled could do the job for them. Their batting looks strong as always with Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and De Villiers in the side. But the bid that got most eyebrows up was that of Yuvraj Singh. A rather costly bid, people say, but I personally believe that he can be very useful if set up well. Their bowling looks a bit apprehensive but if Virat Kohli can use them well, there is nothing like it.
Sunrisers Hyderabad...
If one sees the squad, one might observe that they lack luster on paper. But let us not forget IPL is not a game on paper. It is most likely that Dhawan will take up as the captain but what amazes me is the number of pace-heads they possess. Steyn, Pathan, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar: Dhawan will be surely spoiled for choice. Their bowling looks even deadlier with Amit Mishra in the side.
--
Thus, after having a look at each team, it looks as if we’re going to have a jolly good time with IPL. At least I am hoping to have one. It is definitely going to be around 2 months of great league cricket. HAPPY IPL! ;)
Beyond the dressing room,
-Prashanti