The Indian Premier League will kick off from April 7 this year. Defending Champions Mumbai Indians will play Chennai Super Kings in the opener. For the 11the edition of the IPL, auctions took place in Bangalore on January 27-28.
Here we consider these three teams to win the title this year:
– by James Kuanal
1. Chennai Super Kings
The Whistle Podu team will be making a comeback this year. CSK was suspended along with Rajasthan Royals from last two years. As expected, MS Dhoni will lead the squad. Chennai brought up some top players making they are clear that they want to win Dhoni another IPL Trophy.
Dhoni himself has over 3500 runs in IPL. CSK have retained players like Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. Other top players include Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Billings. Their addition of SA pacer Lungi Ngidi will also add strength to their side.
2. Mumbai Indians
It is almost like they have developed the habit of winning IPL. Rohit Sharma will continue to captain his side as his team will look to defend the title. MI has won the most no. of IPL titles counting to 4.
Mahela Jayawardena will coach the side that includes players of the top stint. They are Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah & Pandya brothers.
3. Rajasthan Royals
Like CSK, this team was out of the IPL for two years in the previous two editions. Under coach, Rahul Dravid, this team can do anything. Rahul himself is the coach of winning U/19 WC team last month.
RR has invested in players such as Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jayadev Unadkat. They have also signed up top BBL performers Jofra Archer and D’Archy Short who will be the difference maker.
– by James Kuanal