How are the teams looking before we get to know who are the ‘uncapped’ players that will join the IPL squads? Given that only four overseas players will form part of the team, here is a look at the Indian players in the side, and how the overseas players will line up in forming the most favored playing XI.
Chennai seem to have made the best fist through their retaining three batsmen and picking Badrinath, who has performed well in the last three seasons. They now have Dhoni, Raina, Badrinath and Vijay in the batting line-up. The bowling department has Ashwin, with medium pacers Joginder and Sudeep Tyagi. Albie Morkel and Doug Bollinger will have a key role in the bowling department for CSK. Assuming Hussey will be a permanent fixture in the playing XI, this leaves the fourth choice between Bailey (unlikely), Hilfenhaus, Nuwan Kulasekara, Randiv (will he play alongside with Ashwin?), Dwayne Bravo and Scott Stryis. Perhaps one leading Indian pacer would have been ideal for CSK. Still, looks the best balanced of all the sides with match winners thrown in for good measure. Perhaps the most formidable of all sides.
Deccan have just Shikar Dhawan from the Indian ranks. Bowling department has a tested Ojha who has done well; Amit Mishra may not get in if Ojha plays; Ishant can be unpredictable and Manpreet Gony has been at best average in the last two IPL seasons. Some question marks and concerns but in the 'overseas buys' they seem hottest – White, Duminy, Pietersen, Dale Steyn, Sangakarra, Rusty Theron and Dan “who?” Christian! One side that ought to be worried about the uncapped picks would be Delhi. They perhaps should have gone for Yuvraj all the way. Match winners galore but not quite a balanced side.
Delhi have Sehwag, Naman Ojha and Venugopal Rao. Ojha has had a reasonable run, and Venu is someone who is under-rated and never had a lead role. Agarkar and Ashok Dinda and an untested Yadav with Irfan Pathan, who has been out of cricket for a year and out of favor before that, bring up the bowling. Will be surprising if Delhi fans are happy. David Warner and Aaron Finch (high on reputation for big hitting) plus Colin Ingram could become regulars which leaves one spot for Morne Morkel, James Hopes, Andrew McDonald and van der Merve. The last named is probably the only spinner they have!! Like Deccan, not quite balanced but match winners who can turn things around.
Kings XI have just Dinesh Karthik and Abhishek (who didn’t have a regular role with MI - was it injury or did Rayudu/Saurabh got preference over him?), Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla. Gilly, Shuan Marsh and David Hussey would be regulars, which leaves one spot to choose from Stuart Broad (England games will take him away), Harris (hardworking at best and not high potent on our wickets), Dimitri Mascarenhas (probably may play all games since he is out of the English schemes). Opponents will be vary but may not lose sleep over this side.
Kochi – In Sreesanth, RP Singh, Powar and Vinay they have some good options. Surprising, but this may be the best crop of Indian bowlers given that all four have done well or have the ability to do well. Jadeja has the all-rounder potential, and Kochi will hope he re-enacts the first IPL form. Will VVS be given a role that suits his personality or get dumped the way Deccan did? Hodge, Mahela, and McCullum – the batting line-up will be strong and they could perhaps afford VVS in the line-up. No real hot pace bowler may hurt them when they encounter big hitters like Yusuf Pathan. Perera from Sri Lanka could become a key player for them. A couple of big hitters down the order can make them a team that can spring surprises. Will they find such players?
KKR have Gambhir and Manoj with Yusuf as a batting all-rounder and just Balaji and Unadkat in the bowling ranks. Kallis and Haddin will be regulars: Morgan could become a regular. Shakib Al Hasan may find a big role as the spinning all-rounder as this side just has Pathan for a spinner now. Brett Lee, given his situation, looks like a huge gamble. A side that can do with some more balance.
Mumbai Indians have just Sachin and Rohit, and Bhajji and Munaf. Malinga and Symonds (is he the same or on the wane?) and then choose between Clint McKay, James Franklin, Henriques – and keep in mind Pollard may not be available for all games! More crucially just one keeper in the side for now in Davy Jacobs. A side that will desperately need more good Indian players. They don’t quite match up to CSK on paper inspite of the big names, as balance is lacking and three key slots will have to be fitted.
Pune Warriors – Yuvraj Singh and Uthappa, and four choices from Smith, Angelo Mathews, Callum Ferguson, Jesse Ryder and Tim Payne to bolster the batting. Ashish Nehra and Murali Kartik from the Indian ranks with Parnell and Taylor bringing up the pace attack. Big gaps to fill.
Rajasthan Royals – Just Dravid and Pankaj Singh from the auctions! Warne and Watson will be certainties in the playing XI leaving two spots between Botha, Tait, Ross Taylor, and Collingwood. No wicket-keeper worth the name in the sid eyer. Troublesome times?
RCB – Will Saurabh Tiwary play the lead role? Pujara may have to adapt, Kaif was a surprise pick at the end and has been woefully out of form! Zaheer and Mithun from the Indian ranks. De Villiers and Vettori would be regulars leaving the other two spots to Dilshan, Pomersbach (he has a wonderful IPL record) van der Wath (fine local record not much at the international level and is aged 33). Big mistake in not retaining Dale Steyn and Cameron White?
