IPL 2019: Analysing what each squad lacks on paper

The 12th edition of Indian Premier League is on our heads and we can't wait for the scintillating cricket action to return. Nerve-ending finishes, high octane matches and most importantly ming-boggling performances, the IPL is a masterclass which is like a treat to many eyes.

Fans in India as well as around the globe relish the opportunity to witness dream teams; teams with names one could only include in fantasy games. It won't be exaggerating to say that all the teams possess some real world-class talents and its the presence of genuine greats of modern day cricket that makes this tournament so unpredictable.

Here we talk about what each team seems to be short of on paper.

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#8 Delhi Capitals - Experience

Delhi Capitals will take on the center stage with one too many talented youngsters

Delhi Capitals, who we all are accustomed to calling the Delhi Daredevils haven't been one of the best performing teams in the history of IPL. The side hasn't played a single final till date and it won't be wrong to say that Delhi Daredevils is one of the most underperforming franchises to have ever played in the IPL.

The side has regularly finished in the bottom half of the table season after season despite making drastic changes in their squad every now and then.

Looking at this year's squad, there is one thing evidently missing and that's the presence of substantial experience. The team is filled with youngsters but on a day when the wind is in the opposite direction and the boat becomes difficult to sail then, the experience is what gets you through.

Delhi Capitals do have a decent team comprising of some explosive youngsters in the form of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer but a veteran's presence seems to be missing.

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#7 Kings XI Punjab - Dependable middle order

Middle order seems to be the main area of concern for the Punjab side

Kings XI had a stupendous start in the previous edition, as they took a mighty impressive start off the box by winning their first 4 matches handsomely before going down the wrong path. What proved to be their weakness in 2018 is what might trouble their chances in 2019.

With KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, the Kings have one of the best opening pairs but beyond them, the teamsheet doesn't showcase any major threat.

A dependable middle order is what we think they might miss and will somehow haunt them when the season gets going.

#6 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Balance

Virat and AB haven't been able to win the trophy for RCB Mumbai Indians did have a disappointing campaign in 2018

Royal Challengers Bangalore not winning a single IPL trophy is quite a mystery! The team from Karnataka has been one of the most entertaining outfits in the history of IPL. Having reached 3 finals in the history of the tournament, RCB has a gigantic fanbase.

What does amuse fans is their inability to win the tournament despite having players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in their squad. RCB holds a formidable squad and has done so for all these years but looking at their team it does suggest the absence of a certain balance. Too many talented individuals, but there seems to be no real sense of a cohesive side.

What remains RCB's biggest task this season is to discover a genuine balance in their squad.

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#5 Mumbai Indians - Explosive top order batsman

Mumbai Indians have won the trophy thrice and have constantly been named amongst the favorites for all these years. What has worked perfectly well for the Mumbai side is their organized lineup.

Mumbai Indians aren't known to make many changes in their side. The chemistry between the players has been on the show and it has been a major factor in Mumbai's glorious past.

But it seems they could've gone for an explosive top order batsman in the auction. While Rohit Sharma and company have all the potential in the world to score massive totals, there seems an absence of a destructive batsman at the top. Evin Lewis found it difficult to maintain his usual standards on the slower Indian pitches.

When the situation becomes demanding, a naturally hard-hitting striker is what fans look up to and the absence of that very personality at the top will get Mumbai Indians thinking at some stage.

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders - Experienced presence in the middle

KKR is blessed with hard strikers but a calm and composed figure would've been welcomed

KKR is one of the most followed sides in the competition courtesy of their delightful history. The City of Joy has been the home of Kolkata Knight Riders and the Eden Gardens is a fortress where away teams haven't enjoyed a huge amount of success.

Kolkata has won the elusive IPL trophy twice and stand a strong chance of bringing home the third one. The squad is blessed with attacking prowess but one thing the team might miss is someone to hold the strings, someone to stand in when times get tough and this missing link might trouble KKR as the competition nears the business end.

Dinesh Karthik is a solid component of this impressive squad but when the going gets tough and a sudden collapse in the top order occurs, KKR will need someone to calm things down and take them over the line.

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#3 Rajasthan Royals - Bench strength

With the likes of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, and Ajinkya Rahane, Rajasthan Royals have a formidable squad. The team is blessed with quality overseas players and this does put them in strong contention to contest for the trophy in 2019.

While the team is rich in world-class talents, this is a known fact that many of these players will leave midway for their international duties and it's then, when the Royals feel a bit depleted.

Rajasthan Royals have a decent squad but their backup options aren't really clear and not so great bench strength will hamper the team's progress somewhere in the latter stages of the tournament.

#2 Chennai Super Kings - Tested youth

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CSK possess one of the best squads and it's no surprise to see them as the favorites once more. The yellow outfit has won the trophy a record 3-times and looking at the depth in their squad, number 4 might not be far away.

Experience drips in abundance from this Chennai side as the men in yellow have some of the legends of the competition in their ranks. Men like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Shane Watson will strike fear into any opposition.

While CSK is blessed with veterans, there does appear to be some shortage of tested youth. The thing might not directly affect CSK's title challenge but it does raise a concerning thought.

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#1 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Certainty about the captain

SRH have arguably the best squad heading into IPL 2019.

SRH have all boxes ticked heading into the 12th edition of IPL. With the returning David Warner, the previous season's runners-up have every weapon in their arsenal to claim the prestigious trophy.

The Indian contingent comprises of the accomplished men like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddharth Kaul and more. The overseas department is special in every right with the likes Warner, Rashid Khan, and Kane Williamson.

What might bother the Orange Army is the uncertainty of who will take the captain's role. While Warner was absent in the previous edition, Williamson stepped up and guided SRH to the finals.

With Warner back in the frame, confusion surrounds as to who will lead this SRH side in IPL 2019.