Come Saturday, April 7th, eight franchises across India will battle it out for the eleventh Indian Premier League (IPL) crown. One of the biggest T20 leagues in terms of excitement, commercial value, and player attraction – the IPL this year promises to be bigger and better then ever especially for Aussie fans, who will be able to watch the tournament on Fox Sports for the first time!
So, which of the eight sides are well set for a tilt at the title? Let’s take a deeper look.
2018 Indian Premier League Betting Tips
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Back in the league after a two-year gap due to the spot-fixing ban, CSK have got most of their old team back with the hope of mounting a title assault. MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, and Suresh Raina will once be the key trio for the ‘Yellow Brigade’, but the side will be tested for the lack of power hitters down the order.
Delhi Daredevils (DD)
This is a franchise that has been an underachiever in the ten seasons so far. However, this season could be a real game changer. Gautam Gambhir is back while the presence of Ricky Ponting as coach adds a lot of value to the side’s hopes. The presence of a number of talented under-19 stars along with Glenn Maxwell and Kagiso Rabada make DD one of the teams to watch out for!
Kings XI Punjab
Another side with a huge makeover this season as Ravichandran Ashwin is given the reins and domestic stars like Yuvraj Singh and KL Rahul have been added. A lot of hopes are on ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle, although he looks a spent force. AJ Tye will cop a lot of responsibility as he remains their lone seamer of repute. Having no regular ‘keeper is also an Achilles heel to the side, but they do have the right resources to make a dash.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR is one of the most glamorous sides in IPL, although most of the credit goes to their owner Shah Rukh Khan. Of course, they do have a lot of names that make them a superstar side on the ground as well. Keep an eye for the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Chris Lynn, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine! There could be pressure on the untested middle-order to deliver, although KKR look set to enthral their fans.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
One of the most successful franchises with three titles and one final appearance, MI continue to have the same core squad. Rohit Sharma, the Pandya brothers, Pat Cummins, Mustafizur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah – this side already looks all set to mount a successful defence of their title. Lack of a spinner could come back to haunt them, though, but looking at their previous campaigns don’t be surprised if MI continue to pack a punch!
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Another side that is making a comeback, RR have surprised everyone with their purchases in the auction. Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat, Joffra Archer, Jos Buttler, D’Arcy Short – the side is not short of big names even if Steve Smith is not available. Ajinkya Rahane will be an able replacement as a captain, but it remains to be seen how well RR can replace him as a batsman with Heinrich Klaasen. Lack of spinners could be a worry, but RR look all set to mark their re-entry with a title win.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Another side that has struggled to live up to expectations throughout the years, RCB have tried to address that by getting their balance right in the auction. Having Virat Kohli, the Indian superstar, is a real bonus. Add AB de Villiers, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Brendon McCullum, Umesh Yadav, and Chris Woakes – RCB finally look good to break the jinx.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
They looked all set to be a strong contender for the title, but the loss of David Warner was a huge blow. However, by giving Kane Williamson charge of the side, they made a great move. Shikhar Dhawan, Bhvuneswar Kumar, and Manish Pandey make up a great domestic combination while Rashid Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, and Shakib Al Hasan add weight in the overseas contingent.
Virat Kohli Tournament Most Runs
$7.00
Rashid Khan Tournament Wickets
$10
Mumbai Indians to win IPL
$5.00
