IPL 2019: One player from each team who can win the MVP

IPL is still almost two months away but the preparations have already begun. Despite the threat of unavailability of players due to the World Cup looming over, IPL surely won't be short of thrill and excitement.

Even though for a team to do well in the IPL every member of the team has to contribute, there are a few players in every team whose performances have a huge bearing on their team's chances in the tournament.

The best player of the tournament is named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) at the end of the season. Some big names have won the award previously.

Here is the list of past winners -

2008 - Shane Watson (RR)

2009 - Adam Gilchrist (DC)

2010 - Sachin Tendulkar (MI)

2011 - Chris Gayle (RCB)

2012 - Sunil Narine (KKR)

2013 - Shane Watson (RR)

2014 - Glenn Maxwell (KXIP)

2015 - Andre Russell (KKR)

2016 - Virat Kohli (RCB)

2017 - Ben Stokes (RPS)

2018 - Sunil Narine (KKR)

Each team has certain players who are in contention for being the MVP of IPL 2019. Here is the list of one player from each team who can win the title.

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#8 Rajasthan Royals- Sanju Samson

Samson has the talent to become the MVP

With the kind of squad Rajasthan Royals has, they will depend on the overseas players. While Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, and Jofra Archer are undoubtedly match-winners, their availability will be a huge concern for the Royals. In that case, the Indian players will have to step up and one player who is more than capable of doing so is Sanju Samson.

Samson has been rated highly by the cricket pundits and has time and again given a good account of his batting abilities in the IPL by batting confidently against some big names of world cricket. But unfortunately, the hugely talented youngster has struggled for consistency. If the Kerala batsman can work on this particular aspect of his game, he can surely be the MVP of IPL 2019.

#7 Kings XI Punjab- KL Rahul

Rahul will be keen to perform well in IPL 2019

KL Rahul was phenomenal for Kings XI Punjab last season. The stylish right-handed batsman scored 659 runs and was the third highest run-scorer of the season. Rahul played some unbelievable knocks for the Kings and even though his team failed to reach the playoffs, his performance was appreciated by everyone.

After a fruitful IPL 2018, Rahul carried the momentum to the international level too and played a couple of stunning innings against England in the limited-overs series. However, he struggled in the Tests except for a counterattacking hundred at The Kennington Oval.

His poor Test form seems to have taken a toll on his overall cricket and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the IPL. Also, he has been in the news because of the 'Koffee with Karan' controversy. Rahul will be keen to get on the field and let his bat do all the talking.

#6 Delhi Capitals- Rishabh Pant

Pant was on fire last season

In a disastrous IPL campaign for the formerly Daredevils, one player who stood out was Rishabh Pant. The dashing left-hand batsman played some memorable innings for the Daredevils and ended the tournament as the second highest run-scorer of the season with 684 runs at an average of 52.61 and a strike-rate of 173.60.

Pant was also named the emerging player of the season. Despite his brilliant IPL performance, the 21-year-old hasn't been able to secure a place in India's ODI side. But he has done wonders in the Test arena and was named the ICC Emerging Player of 2018.

Pant is extremely dangerous in the T20 format and can upset the rhythm of the bowlers with his unconventional ways of scoring runs. Delhi Capitals has a strong squad this time around and with Pant being in the kind of form that he is in, they can surely expect a better result.

#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad- Kane Williamson

Williamson won the Orange Cap in IPL 2018

Kane Williamson exceeded expectations both as a player and as a captain when he led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the finals of IPL 2018. The Kiwi captain finished the tournament with 735 runs under his belt and won the Orange cap. Williamson proved that T20 isn't all about the big shots as he played some classy innings for the Sunrisers.

Also, in the absence of David Warner, Williamson did a commendable job of leading the side to the final. And even though Warner is expected to come back in the team, Williamson might continue captaining the side.

His performance as a batsman once again will be key to the Sunrisers fortunes in the tournament. Also, with New Zealand players available for the entire season, he will have the chance to play in all matches. With the kind of batsmanship he displayed last year, expectations will increase from Williamson.

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders- Andre Russell

Russell can destroy any opposition on his day

Andre Russell is one of the best all-rounders in T20 cricket. The big Jamaican has proved his worth across various leagues in the world. In the IPL, Russell has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders for years now. He played 16 games for the Knight Riders last year in which he scored 316 runs and took 13 wickets.

Even though he would be a tad disappointed with his bowling effort, his batting was simply outstanding. The most staggering part of his batting was his mind-boggling strike-rate of 184.79. The 30-year-old can change the complexion of the match by powerful hitting within a few overs.

Russell was in great form in the CPL where he slammed the fastest CPL century and took a hat-trick in the same match. KKR will be expecting him to extend his form to the IPL too and win the MVP award in IPL 2019, an award he previously won in 2015.

#3 Mumbai Indians- Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah appealing for a wicket

In a format where batsmen destroy bowling-attacks for fun, one bowler who has made a name for himself is Jasprit Bumrah. With his recent Test exploits, Bumrah is considered to be among the best bowlers in the world. However, Bumrah will credit IPL for his success. He came into the limelight only after a stellar performance for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Bumrah's ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers at will makes him an exceptional T20 bowler. Mumbai Indians heavily rely on the speedster to provide breakthroughs with the new ball as well as in the death overs.

One of the major reasons for Mumbai Indians' dismal performance last year was the lack of support for Bumrah. But this season, they have beefed up the bowling-attack and will hope for an improved outing. Bumrah will be vital for Mumbai Indians' chances this year as well.

#2 Chennai Super Kings- MS Dhoni

Dhoni has never won the MVP

IPL 2018 will always be remembered for two things, first as Chennai Super Kings' glorious comeback and second as the redemption of MS Dhoni. Dhoni wasn't at his best in IPL 2017 where he scored 290 runs at a mediocre average of 26.36 and a below-par strike-rate of 116.

Dhoni's struggles were quite visible and questions were raised about his ability as a finisher. But Dhoni came back strongly by producing some masterclass MS Dhoni innings.

The former India captain smashed 455 runs at an amazing average of 75.83 and a high strike-rate of 150.66. His experience of playing in pressure situations was key to CSK's title journey last year.

After a lean patch at the international level, the 37-year-old swung back to form with a Man-of-the-Series winning performance against Australia. And his current form is an ominous sign for the other teams in the IPL too.

#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore- Virat Kohli

Can Kohli lead RCB to a maiden IPL title?

Virat Kohli has achieved almost everything in World Cricket except for an IPL title. The Indian captain has scored runs all around the world and in all kinds of conditions, across all formats.

Even his IPL numbers are very impressive. Kohli takes IPL cricket very seriously and has been seen playing for RCB even though injuries. But unfortunately, things haven't really clicked for the franchise and they are yet to win an IPL title.

Nonetheless, Virat Kohli has done exceptionally well for the franchise with the bat and averages over 38 in his IPL career. Even though Kohli has been playing non-stop cricket for quite some time now, the break that he has been given by the Indian selectors will give him time to rejuvenate before the IPL.

RCB has made big changes in its squad for the 12th season of the mega-event. But they will depend on Kohli to help them win their maiden IPL title.