IPL-4 Starts Today: Here is a Look at the Favourites

After basking in the glory of a world cup win , the next biggest event in Indian cricket is back. Indian Premier League Version 4 starts today at the Cheupak stadium as the defending champions Chennai Super Kings take on the ambitious Kolkata Knight riders. In the next 50 days we hope to see some exhilarating piece of cricket with ten teams competing for glory. Where few teams like Chennai and Mumbai have managed to retain most of their previous players , teams such as RCB , KKR and DC have gone for a complete overhaul. But which of the team looks to have the substance to go all the way this time ? Lets have a look at the prime contenders for the title.

MUMBAI INDIANS

Mumbai Indians will be lead by the maestro

They were touted as the favorites for the title last time too but were let down in the field in the last year’s final. Led by the maestro himself , the team has done well to retain important players while strengthening their squad further.

STRENGTHS :

Good batting and bowling options , experienced players in every position

WEAKNESS :

Will miss the services of the wily Zaheer Khan

KEY PLAYERS :

Sachin tendulkar , Andrew Symonds , Rohit Sharma , Lasith Malinga

PREDICTION :

Their fortunes will depend a lot on the new recruits Rohit Sharma , Symonds and the captain Sachin. Look good to make the finals as last time.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

Can Dhoni inspire Chennai to another IPL win ?

Huge favorites to retain the title. They managed to retain seven players from last time including their talisman captain Dhoni. However being the defending champions they will have everyone gunning for them this time.

STRENGTHS :

Strong batting order , Settled team

WEAKNESS :

Will miss Murali’s experience , Bowling lacks depth

KEY PLAYERS :

Suresh Raina , Abbie Morkel , R Ashwin

PREDICTION :

Have made the at-least to semifinals in all the editions of IPL. Look good to make through the semis again.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

Can KKR make the semis this time ?

Kolkata Knight riders are the only team among the old teams not to have made the semis even once. But this time they have gone for a complete overhaul. The nucleas of the team looks solid and their is a change in the rear guard as well.

STRENGTHS :

Many all rounders in squad , Balanced squad

WEAKNESS :

Bowling without Lee lacks experience , Need to gel soon

KEY PLAYERS :

Gambhir , Yusuf Pathan , Brett Lee , Kallis

PREDICTION :

If they can play to their potential they should make it to the semifinals atleast.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

Can the challengers challenge again ?

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are another team that have gone for a complete overhaul despite having a good team. Fortunately for them they have managed to get a few T20 specialists and a very energetic and young team this year.

STRENGTHS :

Good fielding side with many young guns , Bowling has variety and depth

WEAKNESS :

Batting lacks experience , Will miss Kumble’s captaincy

KEY PLAYERS :

AB De Villiers , Vettori , Virat Kohli , Zaheer Khan

PREDICTION :

Their bowling attack is probably one of the best and if they can manage to keep batting well a semifinal is well within the reach.

DARK HORSES : Pune Warriors and Deccan chargers are good sides too but lack balance in the squads. If they can play well they can make the semifinals too.

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