IPL 2018: Players who could provide the spark for their respective team

Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the biggest T20 tournaments, is just a few days away from what could be the most thrilling season of all time. Each team is evenly balanced and, no team is looking hot favorite to win the title.

IPL over the years has just got bigger and better with every season. New heroes have emerged for the team whether it is an experienced player or a youngster.

In the past, Yusuf Pathan, Shane Watson, Andre Russel, Chris Gayle and many players have been the X-factor players for their teams. In this season, teams will look to bank on their key players, who could win the prestigious trophy for them.

Let us find out these players who might be the trump card in this season.

---

#8 Krunal Pandya(Mumbai Indians)

Pandya brothers have been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) team and have played crucial roles in winning the IPL titles. Last year, it was the elder brother who played a vital knock of 47 in the finals and eventually won the tournament.

Krunal Pandya had scored 243 runs and picked up 10 wickets in IPL 2017. MI happily used their Right To Match (RTM) card on Krunal Pandya for Rs. 8.8 crore who could be their trump card for this season.

#7 Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

Suresh Raina has looked in good touch after making a comeback into the Indian side

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been the champion side over the years and won two back to back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011. Suresh Raina has played a big role in making CSK a successful team, who has scored almost 400 runs in each and every season.

Raina had scored consistently in the Mushtaq Ali tournament and made a comeback into the national side. He played well in South Africa T20 series and is looking in great form.

With the extra responsibility as vice-captain of the CSK team, Raina will be eager to perform in this season and make a big difference for the team.

#6 Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)

Jofra Archer can be destructive with his fiery fast bowling who bowls over 140 kmph

The Barbadian-born English cricketer has been in the news after Rajasthan Royals (RR) bought him for a hefty amount of Rs 7.2 crore. Jofra Archer is an all-rounder who followed his teammate Chris Jordan and now plays for Sussex in the English county.

Archer came into the limelight following his Big Bash stint with Hobart Hurricanes. In Big Bash League 2018, he picked up 17 wickets with an economy of 7.88. Though he did not perform with the bat but has all the ability to become a hard-hitting all-rounder and win matches for RR.

#5 Rishabh Pant (Delhi Daredevils)

Rishabh Pant can change the course of the match with his explosive batting

In IPL 2017, Rishabh Pant became one of the emerging stars and performed exceptionally well with the bat. He scored 366 runs in 14 matches at an amazing strike of 165.61.

In Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018, Rishabh scored the fastest T20 century by an Indian who achieved the feat in 32 balls and overall is just behind Chris Gayle, who accomplished it in 30 deliveries.

Adding to his aggressive batting, Rishabh is also the wicket-keeper of Delhi Daredevils (DD) team which makes him a crucial player in this line-up. Gautam Gambhir, who is the captain of DD, hinted that Rishabh can be a match winner if he bats at no 3.

#4 Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Rashid Khan looked in great touch both with the ball and bat in the Big Bash League

The Afghanistan sensation, Rashid Khan, needs no introduction as he is the top ranking bowler in ODIs and T20Is. In IPL 2017, he had picked up 17 wickets in 11 matches at an impressive economy of 6.62.

The 19-year-old leg-spinner has been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 9 crore. In Big Bash League, he ended up with 18 wickets in 11 matches and also played small cameos with the bat.

SRH will be hoping for another sensational outing from Rashid and provide them match-winning performances.

#3 Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Mitchell Starc has a lot of fitness issue which he would look to overcome in this season

The last time Mitchell Starc played in IPL was way back in 2015 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He has played in two seasons and overall picked up 34 wickets in 27 matches for RCB.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought Starc for a whopping amount of Rs 9.4 crore, which clearly suggests that he will be the strike bowler for the entire season.

Considering KKR's inexperienced bowling line-up, a lot will depend on how Starc performs and remains fit throughout the season.

#2 Lokesh Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)

KL Rahul is at number 8 spot for batting in the ICC T20I Rankings

This will be a make or break season for the Karnataka batsman who is yet to cement his spot in the ODI and T20I team. It is the only platform where Lokesh Rahul will look to stamp his authority and get in contention for the World Cup 2019.

On the other hand, Kings XI has invested Rs 11 crore on Rahul who will be the trump card in their side. He will be given the responsibility of opening the innings and also need to keep wickets for the side.

#1 Washington Sundar (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Washington Sundar was one of the emerging stars in IPL 2017

The 18-year-old cricketer is no ordinary player who performed exceptionally well for the Indian team in Nidahas Trophy 2018. Washington Sundar has picked up 8 wickets with an amazing economy of less than 6.

The fact that Sundar bowls most of his overs in batting power play makes him more special. In IPL 2017, he picked up 8 wickets but his economy of 6.62 was the most impressive of all.

Royal Challengers Bangalore has picked Sundar for Rs 3.3 crore which makes him the perfect fit for the team. In the past, RCB has struggled with bowling and Sundar will be the much needed X-factor to overcome their bowling weakness.