Chennai Super Kings
Last year’s record: 8-7-1, Finalist
Player to watch: M.S. Dhoni
Dhoni, India’s international captain spearheads a Chennai powerhouse that almost won its third consecutive IPL title. The Super Kings wicketkeeper provides an excellent bat, but his best quality is his leadership, an intangible that explains his exceptional track record. The 31-year-old is coming off of a 4-0 sweep of Australia in a recent test series. Dhoni is more than capable of leading a veteran Chennai team back to the IPL finals.
Projected finish: After losing by five wickets to Kolkata in the final, Chennai was denied an unprecedented three-peat. Led by Dhoni, and Suresh Naina who has succeeded immensely in the IPL, Chennai has an excellent shot at their third championship in four years.
Delhi Daredevils
Last year’s record: 11-5, semi-finalist
Player to watch: Morne Morkel
South African fast bowler Morne Morkel led the league in wickets taken with 25 last season, and will look to continue his dominant form in 2013. Morkel will be a vital part of a Daredevils squad that is looking to avenge an 86-run loss in the IPL semifinals last season to Chennai. The 28-year-old star will be relied up on heavily to take the lion’s share of wickets again, and is poised to have another outstanding season. If Morkel is in top-notch form, Delhi could be a tough out in the IPL playoffs.
Projected finish: If Morkel and fast-bowler Umesh Yadav, who is coming off of an injury perform well, and batsman Virender Sehwag snaps out of a prolonged slump, Delhi could contend for the IPL championship.
Mumbai Indians
Last year’s record: 10-6
Player to watch: Sachin Tendulkar
Universally considered as one of the greatest players of all-time, Tendulkar will be an interesting player to watch at age 39. The Little Master’s surreal all-around ability is still evident after two decades of top-flight play in the sport, and the duo of Tendulkar, and newly added captain Ricky Ponting will be a joy for cricket fans across the world to watch, although their fielding may be a liability.
Even with declining run totals, Tendulkar is a force to be reckoned with and the sheer delight of watching a transcendent legend should be enough for fans.
Projected finish: With Ponting joining an already strong Mumbai team, the Indians will make a serious run at their first championship.
Pune Warriors
Last year’s record: 4-12
Player to watch: Yuvraj Singh
Widely considered one of the best limited-overs all-around players in the world, as evidenced by his 2011 World Cup (ODI) Man of the Series award award, Singh leads a Pune team that is desperate to escape the IPL’s basement. Scoring 343 runs, while taking nine wickets last season, Singh has established himself as a game-changer on both sides of the game. Known for late-inning displays of power, Singh now faces the unenviable task of leading a Pune team out of the IPL’s basement, along with Sri Lankan ODI and Test captain Angelo Mathews.
Projected finish: Singh and Mathews will guide Pune, but a lack of depth will hurt their playoff chances.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Last year’s record: N/A, formerly the Deccan Chargers
Player to watch: Kumar Sangakkara
The 2012 ICC player of the year will be counted on to lead Sunrisers under a new banner, after the Deccan Chargers folded. Sangakkara’s prolific bat makes him a very difficult player to game plan for, and could carry Sunrisers to a couple of wins single-handedly. While his new club will struggle under the new mantra, Sangakkara will be the difference between outright futility and respectability.
Projected finish: In any sport, it’s always difficult for a new team to contend for a championship, and this difference will be a pronounced in a nine-team league. Deccan struggled last season, and under the new banner Sunrisers will be competitive, but will ultimately falter and will miss the playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Last year’s record: 10-5-1, Champions
Player to watch: Although this spot could have easily gone to Australian bowling legend Brett Lee or batsman Brendon McCullum, captain Gautam Gambhir leads the Knight Riders’ title defence. Gambhir drove in 590 runs last season, second only to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Chris Gayle. The 31-year-old will be counted upon for another potent offensive season, as all eyes are on Kolkata after winning the 2012 IPL title.
Projected finish: With a solid veteran core in place, Kolkata will produce a challenge title defence and will compete for its second consecutive championship.
Kings XI Punjab
Last year’s record: 8-8
Player to watch: Shaun Marsh is entering the season in top form, as he recently scored a century vs. England Lions. Moreover, Marsh is suited best for the T-20 game, due to his aggressive batting approach, and will be counted on to lead Kings XI’s offence. The 29-year-old will form a dynamic duo along with Luke Pomersbach, and will make a determined run at leading Kings XI to the IPL playoffs.
Projected finish: Kings XI will be on the fringe of the playoffs for much of the year, but their lack of depth will cause the team to ultimately fall short.
Rajasthan Royals
Last year’s record: 7-9
Player to watch: Shane Watson is a versatile threat and along with Rahul Dravid will lead Rajasthan’s attack. The Australian veteran has shown that he can dominate T-20 cricket, as he was the Man of the Series in the 2012 T-20 World Cup. Watson’s fast-bowling ability will keep the Royals in matches, and if the Royals are to sneak into the playoffs, they will need the 31-year-old to be at his best.
Projected finish: Watson and Dravid will lead the team but ultimately their youth, inexperience and lack of depth will keep Rajasthan out of the title hunt.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Last year’s record: 8-7-1
Player to watch: Chris Gayle is considered by some to be the most entertaining player in the IPL
Chris Gayle led the IPL in runs scored last year, with a whopping 733 in 15 matches last season. Gayle’s sheer power, combined with his excellent sense of timing and knowledge of the game makes him arguably the game’s most dominant batsman. Gayle can take the occasional wicket, with eight in 2011 but his unrivalled bat makes him and Bangalore a force to be reckoned with.
Projected finish: Gayle, along with captain Virat Kohli spearhead a Bangalore team ready to make a serious run at an IPL championship. With Gayle’s and Kohli’s outstanding batting leading the way, Bangalore will be in the semi-finals, with a distinct possibility of winning it all.
