The Indian Premier League has served a heady mix of excitement, entertainment and controversy over the years and as the seventh edition rolls into the UAE there is lot of anticipation for what lies in store.
The fresh auctions two months ago gave an opportunity to the eight franchises to redevelop their teams and make a bold dash for the title in the new season.
There has been a lot of player movement and some teams like the Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils have made wholesale changes while most other teams have retained their faith in the core group of players who served them well over the years.
However, the biggest move came in the form of the whole league shifting to a completely new venue, the UAE, since its dates clashed with the general elections in India.
It has brought a fresh wave of enthusiasm and nobody seems to be bothered about the cloud of corruption that hangs heavy over the league.
The UAE, teeming with Indian, Pakistan and Sri Lankan expat population, is lapping up the presence of world class cricketers in their midst and they have shown their appreciation with a dash for the ticket counters leading to full houses for most of the 20 games spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
It is not just the players who will be tested, the coaches too have to rack their brains, get the combinations right and justify the new purchases.
Besides, the league will be spread across two legs, as it will return to India from May 2, which would mean making quick adjustments.
The pitches and the weather conditions in the UAE and India are almost similar during this period, so the shift should not be much of a problem for teams and players who start on a winning note.
A large number of teams have kept their faith in the old guard and it will be interesting to see how they manage to stand up to the challenges of the league which they once ruled.
It is quite a sizeable bunch out there including retired legends Jacques Kallis (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Muttiah Muralitharan (Royal Challengers Bangalore), the India discards Virender Sehwag (Kings XI Punjab), Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai Indians), Ashish Nehra (Chennai Super Kings) and the Twenty20 veterans Michael Hussey (Chennai) and Brad Hodge (Rajasthan Royals).
Also, Indian legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid will be seen in new roles as icon/mentor for Mumbai and Rajasthan.
Even as the ‘senior citizens’ look for another crack at the spotlight, a new breed is waiting in the wings to take centre-stage.
Kiwi sensation Corey Anderson, West Indies’ pacer Krishmar Santokie (both Mumbai Indians), South Africa left-arm speedster Beuran Hendricks (Kings XI Punjab) and Aussie fast bowler Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders) make their debut this season.
Aussie all-rounders Glenn Maxwell (Punjab) and Steve Smith (Rajasthan), India under-19 captain Vijay Zol (RCB) and West Indies leggie Samuel Badree (Chennai) will be eyeing bigger returns this season after limited appearances earlier.
A change of guard is expected as the old make way for the new but some things have not changed: Super Kings continue to be the favourites with Royal Challengers a close second followed by the defending champions Mumbai.
