Ahead of this year’s Indian Premier League, our reporters were tasked with sharing their predictions for the tenth edition.
Luckily for us all, we also have the bonus of some real expert opinion with UAE captain Rohan Mustafa being joined by his predecessors Amjad Javed and Ahmed Raza in sharing their thoughts on this year’s IPL.
Who will win the tournament, which team will be the biggest disappointment and what players will steal the show?
See what the UAE stars and our own reporters think and join the conversation yourself by commenting below, or getting in touch via Twitter and Facebook.
JOY CHAKRAVARTY (SPORT360 REGIONAL EDITOR)
CHAMPIONS: SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
Twenty20 matches are dominated by batsmen, but history has proved a lethal bowling attack makes a bigger impact. Hyderabad has the finest in the IPL again – Ashish Nehra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mustafizur Rahman and Rashid Khan.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING: BRENDON MCCULLUM (GL)
Beach muscle gym session ticked off by @JasonRoy20 and myself. Anticipating tight shirts for this years @IPL !!!! pic.twitter.com/WeanX4ODMm
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) April 4, 2017
Now retired from international cricket, the former New Zealand captain still remains one of the fittest players in the business. And if he gets going with that ultra explosive bat of his for even six to eight overs, the Lions will be a very hard side to beat.
FLOPS: MUMBAI INDIANS
The two-time champions have retained a bulk of their squad, but many big names, like Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson are either struggling with their form or past their prime.
ROHAN MUSTAFA (UAE CAPTAIN)
CHAMPIONS: GUJARAT LIONS
They have a very good team including our own Chirag Suri, which will be great to see. They have strength in depth with spinners and have batsmen who can hit the ball hard.
The man from Dubai, @suri_chirag has a special message for all our fans, especially those in the UAE! 🙂 #GameMaariChhe pic.twitter.com/E7TC5EX6d7
— The Gujarat Lions (@TheGujaratLions) April 3, 2017
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING: RASHID KHAN (SRH)
I’m quite impressed with this man and he’s been bowling superbly recently and would suit Indian conditions.
FLOPS: KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
They’ve made a lot of changes to their squad and they will be missing Andre Russell and I think his absence will have a big effect on the team.
BARNY READ (SPORT360 ONLINE DEPUTY EDITOR)
CHAMPIONS: SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
One of the few teams to have not been hurt by the influx of injuries, the reigning champions boast considerable balance; mixing exciting youngsters with experienced, consistent heads all shaped in the image of David Warner.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING: RASHID KHAN (SRH)
For all you Rashid Khan fans out there, he has a message for you. #OrangeArmy @rashidkhan_19 pic.twitter.com/zKT3joYy6s
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 4, 2017
The Afghan leg-spinner just gets better and better and his IPL debut gives him the chance to prove to the world just how capable he is. A great exponent of the art of wrist-spin and handy with the bat make for an exciting combo.
FLOPS: KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
An ageing side, lacking in sure-fire star names, this is an uninspiring squad. They have avoided severe injuries to star names but on paper they look extremely light compared to the majority of teams.
AMJAD JAVED (UAE ALL-ROUNDER)
CHAMPIONS: MUMBAI INDIANS
They have the best T20 players like Keiron Pollard and others who can change the game in a few overs. If Pollard stays there for 18 balls, he can score big runs. Sachin Tendulkar as a mentor is always a big advantage.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING: CHRIS GAYLE (RCB)
.@imVkohli, @henrygayle, @ABdeVilliers17 and the #RCB stars are back, with @MayantiLanger_B and Mr. Nags hosting #InsideRCB, on Star Sports! pic.twitter.com/WgBjahIX8v
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 4, 2017
Anyone would want to watch him. I do feel the Associate players like Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi and Chirag Suri can impress. It’s a big platform for them on which to deliver.
FLOPS: SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
That team is a mixed bag. I can’t see any big performers who can do it on the day when the pressure is on.
AHMED RAZA (UAE SPINNER)
CHAMPIONS: ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
It’s still too early to say but Royal Challengers Bangalore. Virat Kohli will probably be fit in one or two weeks and then you have Chris Gayle who can hit the ball to all parts of the ground. With the amount of all-rounders that they have, they certainly can go far.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING: VIRAT KOHLI (RCB)
The spirit of Cricket Selfie. Let the best league in the world commence 😊👍👌. #IPL10 #SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/ayYHW8cWCT
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 4, 2017
He scored three IPL tons last season and I’m sure he will get some more given that he’s been in great form (apart from the Australia series, of course).
FLOPS: RISING PUNE SUPERGIANT
I’m not too sure how the team will fare under the captaincy of Steven Smith, and MS Dhoni has only played against domestic players recently, so it will be interesting to see how he copes against world-class players.
DENZIL PINTO (SPORT360 REPORTER)
CHAMPIONS: ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
Yes, missing Kohli early on will be a big blow but RCB still have Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson. While it may take time for them to find their feet, they’re capable of going all the way.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING: MOHAMMAD NABI (SRH)
Might not be an automatic starter but when he does will prove to be a real handful. This year alone, he’s taken 22 wickets in 17 limited-overs matches with 161 runs.
FLOPS: RISING PUNE SUPERGIANT
Have the players who can excel with Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni, Imran Tahir and Ajinkya Rahane but they all need to click to get going.
