IPL 2019 preview and prediction: Who is likely to win this time?
IPL 2019 preview and prediction: Who is likely to win this time?
IPL 2019 is upon us earlier than usual this time, due to the impending General Elections and World Cup. Delhi Daredevils have changed their name, Steven Smith and David Warner are back, TRPs are set to soar, and more.
Ahead of the tournament, let us check how the eight teams stack up:
They were banned for two seasons. They were ridiculed for acquiring a cohort of thirty-plus cricketers. And they finished by lifting the trophy. CSK delivered, as they have done twice before. And while Mumbai Indians have also won the title thrice, they have featured in two more editions.
Chennai have retained the core of their champion squad, and are set out to defend their title – something only they have done before. Keep an eye on the experienced Shane Watson, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Faf du Plessis, and once fit, the exciting Lungi Ngidi.
Definitely a Playoffs contender.
Delhi, who finished last in 2018, seem to have a better team this time. They have acquired Shikhar Dhawan, who, along with Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer, have the potential to tear any bowling attack apart.
On the other hand, Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada (who are unlikely to feature together) will be backed by the spin of Amit Mishra, Axar Patel, and Sandeep Lamichhane.
Delhi may finish in the bottom half again, but are unlikely to come last this time.
The KKR batting lineup, one of the most formidable ones, reads Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, and, if he plays, Joe Denly. All are big hitters.
And then the bowling, which has consisted of spin over the past few years. Narine has been the star, but Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla have provided excellent support. Their only weak spot is their pace attack, though Anrich Nortje, Lockie Ferguson, and Sandeep Warrier have all been excellent at domestic level.
Kolkata have made it to the Playoffs on the last three occasions and have failed to reach the final every time. They will definitely aspire to go that extra step – or two.
Take 2014 away, and KXIP have little to show in their CV. However, in R Ashwin and Mike Hesson they seem to have found a think-tank that does not hesitate to experiment. They acquired 13 players this time, including Sam Curran, Moises Henriques, and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
KL Rahul was fantastic last season year, also doubling up as wicketkeeper. Chris Gayle found terrific form – even by his standards – in the recently concluded England series. And then there are Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Ashwin himself.
But despite that, KXIP are likely to stay in the middle of the table. If they do qualify, it will probably be after one of those hectic mid-table tussles towards the end of the season.
MI have won the title in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and have underperformed in the years that followed – for no fathomable reason. The superstitious will definitely back them as favourites, as will others, for the bowling attack – led by Jasprit Bumrah – is one of the best, more so after the return of Lasith Malinga.
Several of their bowlers – Kieron Pollard and the Pandya brothers – are renowned for their six-hitting abilities. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock at the top may spell doomsday for any attack.
It will be surprising if Mumbai do not make it to the top four.
Like Chennai, Rajasthan, too, were banned for two seasons. They made it to the Playoffs despite missing Smith, just like they had done in twice in three attempts before their ban.
Apart from Smith, they have several big hitters in their lineup – Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Krishnappa Gowtham, probably Ashton Turner. However, the bowling, especially the spin, looks a bit thin. Ish Sodhi was wonderful during his brief stint last season, but he will end up occupying a crucial overseas slot.
Unless their bowlers – chiefly Jofra Archer and Jaydev Unadkat – do something special, Rajasthan are unlikely to qualify this time.
Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Shivam Dube, Heinrich Klaasen: RCB should eye the 200-mark every time they walk out to bat (even if they rest one or two of the above) – and to be fair, they have done it time and again.
But what about the bowling? The wily Yuzvendra Chahal and Umesh Yadav V2.0 were unable to make up for others last year. Tim Southee may be left out in favour of the six-hitters, which will thin their attack further.
Like Punjab, Bangalore will have to put an enormous effort if they have to qualify.
SRH have made it to the Playoffs on the last three occasions, winning once and coming second once, in last year. Warner, set to return, won the Orange Cap in 2015 and 2017. Kane Williamson, who replaced Warner as captain last season, did the same.
In Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Purple Cap winner in 2016 and 2017), Billy Stanlake, Basil Thampi, Sandeep Sharma, and Siddharth Kaul, SRH boast of one of the most potent pace attacks, backed by the spin of Rashid Khan, Shakib Al Hasan, and Shahbaz Nadeem.
One of the most complete sides, SRH are a top four contender too.
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