The big IPL preview, part one: Star-studded Mumbai Indians the team to beat
All eyes in the cricketing world turn to India for the next six weeks as the Indian Premier League returns for its 14th season.
After last year's edition was delayed until October and played in the UAE due to Coronavirus, the league returns to India for another barnstorming campaign — albeit one played without fans at venues.
The dominant Mumbai Indians picked up their second successive title in Dubai and return as favourites to make it a hat-trick.
They are one of the first four teams we have previewed below ahead of Friday's opener.
Chennai Super Kings
Captain: MS Dhoni
Head Coach: Stephen Fleming
2020 finish: 7th
Opening fixture: vs Delhi Capitals (April 10)
A humbling 2020 tournament saw Chennai Super Kings finish outside of the play-offs for the first time in 11 seasons as their ageing squad failed to deliver.
India legend MS Dhoni’s poor form with the bat was replicated throughout the side and the lack of a finger spinner caused real issues as they struggled to stem the flow of runs with the ball.
There were positives in Faf Du Plessis’ form, Sam Curran’s emergence and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s flourish at the end of the tournament — reeling off three 50s in the final three games.
Moeen Ali’s ability to score freely in the powerplay and provide vital off-spinning overs mean his pick-up could be key, while the return of vice-captain Suresh Raina after he opted out of the 2020 edition on the eve of the tournament will boost the middle order.
There is no getting away from the fact CSK have 10 players aged 33 or older in their squad, however.
They willhave to hope this season can prove something of a last hurrah for this group of players, with coach Stephen Fleming eyeing a rebuild ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Delhi Capitals
Captain: Rishabh Pant
Head Coach: Ricky Ponting
2020 finish: Runner-up
Opening fixture: vs Chennai Super Kings (April 10)
After falling short in the final against Mumbai Indians, the Delhi Capitals look primed to challenge for glory again this season — despite skipper Shreyas Iyer being ruled out for the entire season with a shoulder injury.
Rishabh Pant has taken on the captaincy and it will be fascinating to see how the young wicketkeeper fares as a leader, especially with some big decisions to be made when it comes to overseas players.
Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw can prove a formidable opening pair with Ajinkya Rahane and Australia’s Steve Smith fighting for the No3 spot ahead of big-hitters Pant, Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer in the middle order.
Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Chris Woakes sit in a stacked pace department, with India Test duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel two of the best spinners in the tournament.
The Capitals have every base covered in a well thought-out squad — Son now it’s just down to rookie captain Pant and coach Ricky Ponting to make sure it all comes together.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Captain: Eoin Morgan
Head Coach: Brendon McCullum
2020 finish: 5th
Opening fixture: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 11)
Kolkata Knight Riders’ title drought now stands at six seasons — but with Eoin Morgan in charge for a full campaign and Brendan McCullum as head coach, expectations are raised for KKR.
Their strength lies in their power hitting and ability to go big at the end, with Morgan, West Indian supremo Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik all capable of taking attacks apart on their own in the middle order.
But they can’t get them out of trouble every game and they’ll need Shubman Gill to fire alongside either Rahul Tripathi or Nitish Rana in the powerplay.
Shakib Al Hasan returns to IPL after his year-long ban for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code and he’ll provide a vital link between the top order and big hitters, while also complementing the spin department of Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Harbhajan Singh.
New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson and Aussie pace bowler Pat Cummins will need the young Indian seamers in the squad to back up their good work if KKR are to improve on fifth place.
Mumbai Indians
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Head Coach: Mahela Jayawardene
2020 finish: Champions
Opening fixture: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 9)
Rohit Sharma and his Mumbai Indians go into IPL 14 as favourites again after securing their second successive title in November, and their fifth overall.
A fearsome batting line-up features experienced Indian duo Sharma and Hardik Pandya, the trio of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya, who all made big impressions in the recent T20 series vs England, South Africa keeper Quinton De Kock and West Indies superstar Kieron Pollard.
It’s the most powerful batting order in the competition again and is complemented by an equally serviceable bowling cohort.
Trent Boult is one of the best white ball opening bowlers in the world and Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers are bettered by nobody in the game.
Adam Milne and Nathan Coulter-Nile will look to back them up, while the addition of Piyush Chawla to their spin department is a clear upgrade.
They will once again be the team to beat.
