IPL 2018: SRH vs RR- 5 Players to watch out for

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is starting tonight. We will be entertained for next 51 days. In the 1st match, defending champions Mumbai Indians face Chennai Superkings at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On Sunday evening, Delhi Daredevils play with Kings Xi Punjab. Kolkata Knight Riders play Royal Challengers Banglore in the 2nd match on Sunday.

Returning after two year's absence, Rajasthan and Chennai are hoping to have a better campaign. Royal Challengers Banglore will look to improve this time after miserable season last year. Sunrisers Hyderabad have bought well in the auction. Delhi Daredevils also have a good squad. Gautam Gambhir is back with Delhi after 7 years with KKR.

On Monday night, Rajasthan Royals travel to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers. Both teams will look to start their IPL campaign on a winning note. Rajasthan have good bunch of players with Rahane, Buttler, Stokes, Stuart Binny, Jaydev Unadkat and Sanju Samson in their ranks. On the other hand, Sunrisers have brought in real good players in Manish Pandey, Wriddhiman Saha, Shakib Al Hasan, Sandeep Sharma. We look at 5 key players to watch out for in this match.

#5 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey was Hyderabad's costliest buy in this year's auction. He was fantastic for Kolkata Knight Riders. He played a match-winning knock of 96 in final against Kings XI Punjab back in 2014. That was a brilliant knock under pressure. I am surprised why Kolkata let him go. He had a good IPL last time out. He scored 396 runs with the strike rate of 128.57.

He has always been a consistent performer in IPL in recent seasons. He will be important in the Hyderabad middle order. His finishing ability will prove handy for Sunrisers. He could turn out to be one of the buys of the season.

#4 Jos Buttler

Buttler will provide X-factor for Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler is a T20 specialist. He is an asset to any team he plays for. He can score all around the ground. He hits big sixes. It was a smart buy from Rajasthan Royals in the auction. Nasser Hussain described him an absolute bargain buy for 4.4 crores. He is a game changer. He is one of the best finishers in the modern game.

He can provide X-factor for Rajasthan Royals. He has a strike rate of 145.98 in his short iPL career so far. He has already 26 sixes in 24 matches in IPL. If he gets going then he is a joy to watch. With him and Ben Stokes in the side, Rajasthan Royals looks a formidable outfit.

#3 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes will again provide fireworks in this IPL

Once again the costliest player in the IPL auction, Ben Stokes is the most wanted All-Rounder in Indian Premier League. He was influential for Rising Pune Supergiants when they were runner-up last year. In 12 matches, he had a strike rate of 142.98 and also took 12 wickets.

These stats just prove his worth. He was a big loss for Pune in last year's final. He will play a crucial part for Rajasthan Royals in this edition of IPL. He was one of the stand-out performers in the last IPL. We hope that he does the same this time out.

#2 Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi was brilliant for Pune last year

Not many would have heard of this lad before last year's IPL, but he was brilliant in his IPL debut. He has already slammed six sixes in an over in domestic cricket on two occasions. He was a surprise package in last year's IPL. He scored 391 runs with the strike rate of 146.44 last year.

He is the one to watch out for in this year's IPL. Rajasthan bought him for 3.40 crores and he is worth that. He had a big hand in Pune's success last year. He will enjoy playing alongside his Pune teammate Rahane. It will not be a surprise if he comes out all guns blazing against Hyderabad on Monday.

#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the top performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the purple cap holder in last year's IPL with 26 wickets with an average of 14.19. He has been terrific for Sunrisers Hyderabad in last 3 years. Now, he has become a matured bowler. His performances for India reflect that. His death bowling has improved massively. His ability to swing the ball in both directions makes him a lethal bowler.

Improvement in bowling speed has also helped. Now, he regularly bowls around 135 kmph. He will look to retain his purple cap in this year's IPL. If Bhuvi has a good game on Monday, then it will be easy for Sunrisers to start their season with a win.