IPL 2018 prediction: Winners, flops and surprise packages of this year's edition

Sport360 staff 09:32 07/04/2018
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  • Eight teams will fight it out in IPL 2018. Image courtesy: IPL/Twitter.

    The Indian Premier League is set for its 11th edition and as is the case every year, a few teams and players stand out  from the crowd for varying reasons.

    Some teams look especially well-balanced this year while some look like they will need a miracle to go all the way.

    So we took out the crystal ball at Sport360 and asked out writers to make their predictions for IPL 2018. And here they are:

    ASHISH PETER

    Winners: When looking at the squads at the disposal of the eight franchises, it is hard to look beyond the defending champions Mumbai Indians. The Rohit Sharma-led franchise has retained their core from last year and added some inspiring names in the form of Evin Lewis and Pat Cummins.

    Flops: Kings XI Punjab look suspect with some rather shoddy recruitment in the IPL auction. Having only retained Axar Patel ahead of the season, they are banking on stars well past their prime in Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle.

    Surprise package: Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Zadran and Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane are both set to make their bow in the IPL. The two teenage spinners will test their mettle against the biggest stars in international cricket and these two could very well surprise a few batsmen with the variations.

    ADITYA DEVAVRAT

    Winners: Royal Challengers Bangalore have been the IPL’s perennial underachievers, but they took steps to rectify that at this season’s auction. Gone is Chris Gayle, among other star names, and a previously top-heavy batting lineup looks more balanced, as does the bowling attack. And they still have Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

    Flops: Chennai Super Kings. Make their IPL return amid much fanfare and hype. The squad has familiar faces in MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and hometown hero Murali Vijay. But did they err too much on the side of familiarity? The team has an aging, if experienced, core.

    Surprise package: Rajasthan Royals’ IPL return couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start with Steve Smith’s suspension. But they have a level-headed leader in Ajinkya Rahane, a strong international presence with Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, D’Arcy Short, and Jofra Archer, and a collection of Indian players looking to make their mark.

    BRENDON NETTO

    Winners: Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chris Gayle’s explosive presence will be missing from RCB’s batting line-up but in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have more than enough cover. The acquisitions of all-rounders Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali in particular make for a far more balanced squad. Mumbai have the firepower to run them close but Bangalore to edge it.

    Flops: Kolkata Knight Riders. On the surface, KKR look like they have a decent enough side. But on closer inspection it becomes apparent that they’re a couple of injuries away from struggling. Gautam Gambhir was a stalwart for them and will be missed sorely. A strange strategy at the auction could prove costly.

    Surprise package: Pat Cummins. After bursting onto the scene as an 18-year-old, injuries blighted Pat Cummins’ career over the next six years. The Ashes series last year was a turning point for him and he most recently impressed in the series defeat to South Africa, putting him on course to finally light up the IPL stage with Mumbai.

    ALEX BROUN

    Winners: Chennai Super Kings. There is tremendous excitement building around Chennai’s return to the tournament with 10,000 fans turning up for a training session and with a squad including MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, Mark Wood and Lungi Ngidi they have the talent, depth and experience to make a real dent. Getting off to a good start in the opener against Mumbai will be crucial.

    Flops: Mumbai Indians. The reigning champions have been talked up before the start of the tournament but they look overly dependent on two stars – Rohit Sharma to get the runs and Jasprit Bumrah to stop opponents scoring them. There is a lot of responsibility on young West Indian bat Evin Lewis but in his first IPL he may take a while to find his feet. Mumbai themselves are notoriously slow starters and this year they may not be able to recover.

    Surprise package: Lungi Ngidi. The young South African speedster was a revelation in the series against both India and Australia. Yes Indian wickets are much different to South Africa and its T20 not Tests but the 22-year-old is lively and deceptive.

    AJIT VIJAYKUMAR

    Winners: Mumbai Indians. Mumbai and Chennai seem to have the most settled units in the league. But it is very difficult to overlook to hitting power of Rohit, Lewis and Hardik Pandya along with the death bowling powers of Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman. Plus they know how to win titles.

    Flops: Punjab. Have an average squad. Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle not what they used to be while Aaron Finch and David Miller only in-form power hitters. Very few standout names among youngsters, apart from Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Zadran.

    Surprise package: Delhi. Have looked clueless over the years. But this year, under Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting, have balance in all departments. Colin Munro and Jason Roy are superb T20 options and even without Kagiso Rabada, have a fine bowling attack.

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