IPL: The troops are ready, time to see who will win the battle

The third auction of IPL history concluded on 13th February with a total of 154 players being sold, out of which 50 were overseas, on the two days of the auction. This comprises 80 capped players and 74 uncapped players. The auction saw whooping prices being offered not only for the star players like Yuvraj or Pietersen but also for some of the uncapped players like Karn Sharma and Rishi Dhawan. Unlike the previous two auctions, this one saw more prudent approach from the team owners who refrained from spending too much on stars and concentrating on getting the right combination. Star players like Marlon Samuels, Angelo Matthews, Jayawardene, Dirk Nannes, Brett Lee, Dilshan received no bids.
Looking at the team sheets, it is very difficult to predict who will emerge triumphant in this epitome of cricketing entertainment. The Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and KKR have retained their core team and are looking strong. RCB is star studded batting line-up once again and addition of Yuvraj is one big plus for them. Rajasthan have kept faith on their young brigade and added players like Unmukt Chand, Steve Smith. Delhi Daredevils did not retain any player and have done a tremendous job building a team and are looking a sure-shot semifinalist. They have picked quality Indian talent like M.Vijay, Dinesh Karthik, Manoj Tiwary, Mayank Agarwal and Saurabh Tiwary along with match winners like Pietersen, Ross Taylor, Quinton de Cock, JP Duminy.
But the strongest team on paper and our pick for the winner is going to be the Kings XI Punjab. Apart from retaining Manan Vohra for a hefty sum the owners have played all the cards right. The complete squad looks perfectly balanced with players who have the ability to win matches on their own. If we take a look at the batting line-up it looks ominous for the opponents. It has three Aussies in the top five, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and George Bailey. Bailey and Marsh have been in excellent form with Marsh hitting a century in his last game against South Africa and Bailey scoring 3 fifties in last five appearances. Maxwell’s ability to be destructive is well known. Then they also have David Miller who stunned everyone by his blistering century against RCB last season. Team also has good Indian players like Cheteshwar Puja, W. Saha, Manan Vohra who can steady the ship and build partnerships. How can we forget Sehwag who can rattle the opponents bowling. He has a point to prove that there is still some cricket left in him and if he gets back in form, this batting can score any target. Another point which will be a big advantage for the side is that IPL will be organized in South Africa The bowling of KXIP is equally strong with Mitchell Johnson, who is in prime form, experienced L. Balaji and Murali Kartik along with young Parwinder Awana and Rishi Dhawan. It’s a great team and hopefully bring smiles to the Kings’ owner Priety Zinta’s face by lifting the trophy.