IPL- 5 : A Curtain Raiser

IPL razzmatazz is set to begin this week with the usual mix of cricket and Bollywood. There is some buzz about IPL-5 this year which could be due to combination of various factors viz no major international tournament has preceded the event this year unlike the ICC CWC in 2011, India hasn’t played too much cricket at home this season and of course summer holidays. Having said that, it will also give an indication of the current “market value” of Indian cricket, with below par on field performances and off field controversies. All said and done, there surely is going to be a fight in the living rooms across India for that remote control during the prime time slots with sleek promos for IPL – 5 across various TV channels. Here’s evaluating the nine teams in the competition, probable top four teams this year and young Indian talent to watch out for from each of the nine teams.

Chennai Super Kings: CSK has been one franchisee whose core has remained the same over last five years with MSD at the helm and his trusted lieutenant in Suresh Raina; adding to that the CSK regulars like M Vijay, M Hussey, Bollinger, Albie Morkel, R Ashwin & Badrinath. There was a huge buzz when CSK paid the highest amount ever paid in an auction for a cricketer to snatch Ravindra Jadeja from Deccan Chargers in the tie breaker. We can expect CSK to easily walk through in to the final four and with the kind of arsenal at Dhoni’s disposal, don’t be surprised if they make it three IPL titles in a row.

Young Indian to watch out for: Abhinav Mukund.

Mumbai Indians: What South Africa is to world Cricket in multi-national events, Mumbai Indians are to the IPL.Though I don’t like using the word “chokers”, Mumbai Indians have been pretty close to that when it comes to knock outs in IPL. However like CSK, Mumbai Indians have also retained the core of their team from the first three seasons. In fact, this season they boast of three purple cap holders from previous editions, in the form of RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha & Lasith Maliga. There have been interesting additions in the form of a regular keeper, Dinesh Karthik, fastest T20I centurion – Richard Levi & versatile Mitchell Johnson. It remains to be seen how MI get their combination right and whether they can hold their nerves in the knock outs to go all the way. Anything less than a spot in last four, will be a huge disappointment for the fans of current holders of Champions League.

Young Indian to watch out for: Suryakumar Yadav.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: RCB was all about Chris Gayle last season. The moment Ashwin got rid of Gayle in the finals of IPL 4, RCB was destined to finish second best. So what has changed this season? Nothing much on the batting front – RCB is a top batting side with Gayle, Dilshan, Kohli & de Villiers completing the top four. They need to find a couple of Indian batters who can give Daniel Vettori some options to maneuver the batting order. Saurabh Tiwary needs to be used smartly this year after simply being wasted last season. They have added Vinay Kumar and Murali to their bowling line up and it remains to be seen how they use their four overseas options in the final XI. They have enough spunk to be in top four and if they find couple of good locals to support their overseas regulars, RCB can hope to fly all the way this season.

Young Indian to watch out for: Saurabh Tiwary.

Kolkata Knight Riders: KKR has been a bit of an enigma in the IPL so far. Franchisee owned by the super star of Bollywood made headlines with four captain theory, fake IPL player et al before they bought Gambhir for a handsome amount last season and made him their skipper. It worked to an extent, as KKR delivered their best performance last season by making it to the last four for the first time. They have brought back Brendon McCullum this year who should compliment rock like Kallis at the top. With Gambhir, Shakib, Manoj Tiwary & Yusuf Pathan completing the middle order, KKR has the ammunition to trouble the best of the bowling line ups this season. Their bowling has variety in the form of veteran Brett Lee, exciting De Lange, local talent Iqbal Abdulla and crafty Sunil Narine from the West Indies. If they get their act together as a team, KKR can be expected to make it to the final four at least.

Young Indian to watch out for: Iqbal Abdulla.

Rajasthan Royals: Rajasthan Royals surprised one and all when they beat the much fancied CSK in the first edition of IPL. RR was all about Shane Warne and his leadership skills who made a bunch of not-so-fancied-players champions. Rahul Dravid steps into the huge shoes of Shane Warne this year. His task is cut out more so with no player who can bring that X-factor in the game. Ross Taylor has been sold to Delhi and Dravid will have to bank on Indian talent like Rahane, Maneria along with a very talented Sri Lankan in Dinesh Chandimal and the experienced Collingwood and Hodge. In the bowling department they have the maverick Shaun Tait and the man who was commentating for IPL last season – Brad Hogg. They will pleasantly surprise themselves if they make it to the final four this year. My take, looks difficult to make it to the top four.

Young Indian to watch out for: Ajinkya Rahane.

Deccan Chargers: It’s been a strange journey for the IPL-2 champions so far. This has more to do with the kind of selections DC owners have made in the season 4 & 5 auctions. With no notable Indian batsmen in the lineup barring Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel to support Sangakkara, DC will find it tough to build up totals which challenge their opponents. On the flip side, it gives the likes of Parthiv, who is yet to deliver that consistency beyond Ranji Trophy, to dish out a few career changing performances. With Ishant Sharma ruled out, DC will miss an Indian fast bowler to support Styen and Amit Mishra. Deccan Chargers would do well if they finish anywhere above the bottom position.

Young Indian to watch out for: Kedar Devdhar.

Delhi Daredevils: Delhi finished at the bottom of the 10 team IPL in season 4.It was largely due to the fact that the owners couldn’t retain, Gautam Gambhir,Dilshan & Devilliers from the first three season and to top it up they went for a pace heavy bowling attack on a low and slow Kotla wicket. This season they have made some right choices when it comes to batting by adding Kevin Pietersen, Ross Taylor and the stylish Mahela Jayawardena. Also added to the squad are two exciting all-rounders in Doug Bracewell and Andre Russell. However what Daredevils lack is a quality spinner in the lineup. At best they would spoil someone’s party but whether their explosive batting line-up can take them through to the semi-finals remains to be seen. Chances are not so bright.

Young Indian to watch out for: Umesh Yadav.

Pune Warriors: With all the off field drama before and after the auction of IPL 5, the Pune Warriors made plenty of headlines. It’s about time this team gets it act together on the field too. With Sourav Ganguly at the helm, things don’t look too bleak .They have managed to get Michael Clarke on board too.Pune has got some exciting young talent in Robin Uthappa,Manish Pandey, Rahul Sharma to go with the experience of Ganguly,Samuels,Alfonso Thomas & Ashish Nehra.Pune Warriors seem to be the dark horse this season and don’t be surprised if they upset the apple-cart to be in the final four this season. However it will require some inspirational leadership from Ganguly to turn Pune Warriors into the Rajasthan Royals of IPL – 1, this season.

Young Indian to watch out for: Rahul Sharma.

Kings XI Punjab: KXIP starts and ends with their captain Adam Gilchrist. Having said that, IPL – 4 saw an unheralded hero in Paul Valthaty.Whether he can carry on from where he left last season will be interesting to watch. Unfortunately for KXIP, Stuart Broad will again miss out due to injury. Azhar Mahmood, will be the lone Pakistani in this IPL albeit through a British Passport. KXIP will do well if they manage to finish in top six, looks tough though.

Young Indian to watch out for: Mandeep Singh.

Surely, IPL-5 promises to be more exciting than the last edition.