In only its third season, the IPL is now valued at a staggering 4.3 billion dollars and due to its unparalleled success and from 2011, there will be two new teams added to the eight existing. All the biggest names covet a position in the IPL auction and each year the monies outlaid on the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Mahendra Singh Dhoni increases. Unique and memorable sights such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya opening the batting for the Mumbai Indians, is just one of the many reasons why cricket lovers flock in their droves to watch the IPL and this year’s is already proving to be no different. Sport.co.uk takes a look at ten players who could make the difference in this year’s IPL...
Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians - There is hardly any batting record that has not been smashed by the ‘Little Master’ in his cricketing career spanning twenty years. Earlier this year, he became the first batsman to score a double century in ODI history. No one has ever captured the imagination of cricket lovers like he has. Captain of the Mumbai Indians, he is determined to take his team to glory after two poor IPL seasons. He has led his team to second on the points table after the first few games and is one of the leading run scorers this year and a strong contender for the orange cap.
Matthew Hayden, Chennai Super Kings - One of the finest opening batsmen to grace the game, he has an international record to boast of. When he played for Australia, he intimidated fast bowlers by walking down the pitch before smashing them all over the park and he continues to do so in the IPL. He finished as the leading run scorer in last year’s IPL in South Africa scoring 552 runs in 12 games and was the proud winner of the orange cap. This year he has started using the new ‘Mongoose Bat’. This bat has short blades, long handle and the meat of the bat is constructed to ensure maximum hitting power.
Andrew Symonds, Deccan Chargers - Andrew Symonds is a natural, whether he fields exceptionally, bats with power or celebrates the loss of an opposition wicket. The temperamental player has had several run-ins with the law, but his talent overshadows his personality. He was the most popular overseas player at the IPL auction in 2008, where he commanded a million dollar fee. He played just four games for Deccan Chargers before reporting to West Indies for national duty. In the second edition too, he had to leave the Chargers midway through the season to report for national duty. This year the talented all rounder is raring to go.
Kevin Pietersen, Royal Challengers Bangalore - The most expensive player in last year’s auction and captain of last year’s finalists, ‘KP’ will join his team soon after his national commitments are over. Under Kumble’s leadership the team is at the top of the table after Game 18, and with Kevin’s arrival things are likely to improve after he rediscovered his mojo on the tour of Bangladesh.
Virender Sehwag, Delhi Daredevils - Undoubtedly the most destructive batsman in the world, once he gets going, no boundary is too long for him. Has the unique achievement of scoring three triple centuries in Tests, all at a strike rate of over 100. He forms the most successful opening pair for India and the Daredevils with Gautam Gambhir. The Dare devils have been the most successful team in the group stages of both editions of the IPL but choked in the semi finals. This year they would be looking to set the record straight and much will depend on the success of Sehwag.
Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians - This Trinidadian is strong built and a very talented cricketer with all the hallmarks of a match-winner. Pollard established a reputation for himself in the Champions League Twenty20 in 2009, where he was one of the star performers while his team ended up runners-up. That reputation helped him bag a contract with the South Australian Redbacks; he made an impact immediately, finishing as the team's leading run-scorer and guiding them to their first Big Bash final. No boundary can be too big for the 22-year old Trinidadian who can be a very dangerous customer in the 20-over format, destructive from the moment he takes guard. Given his all-round capabilities, it came as no surprise that Pollard drew fierce competition from four franchises at the IPL Auction 2010. Eventually, it was the Mumbai Indians who won him through the silent tie-breaker for an undisclosed sum, and they will be hoping he can help change their fortunes around this season.
Yusuf Pathan, Rajasthan Royals - The world watched on March 13, 2010 as Yusuf Pathan equalled the record for the fastest century in the history of the game. Playing against Mumbai Indians he clobbered eight sixes and scored a 37 ball hundred. Even though he could not lead his team to victory he announced his arrival in world cricket. The cleanest hitter of the ball, he hits sixes with as much ease as other batsman hit fours. Amongst all the Royals, his wicket carries the most weight.
Muttiah Muralidaran, Chennai Super Kings - The leading wicket-taker in international cricket - that is as precise an introduction one can possibly find for Muttiah Muralidaran. Despite his unorthodox action, Murali has excelled on all kinds of surfaces - so much so that several experts say he can spin the ball on glass. He has been Sri Lanka's number one spinner for years now, and despite being in the twilight of his career, he is just as enthusiastic as the younger brigade and has really taken to the twenty-over format. He finished Chennai Super Kings' leading wicket-taker in the second edition of the IPL, taking 14 wickets at an average of 18.64 and continues to be as miserly as he has been over the years.
Shane Bond, Kolkata Knight Riders - The speedster from New Zealand is described in just one adjective: fast. A must have in any bowling attack he has excelled everywhere he has bowled. His inclusion this season adds that extra punch to the team which has had a string of bad performances in the last two seasons of the IPL. His ‘yorkers’ and bowling at the death could trouble batsman keen to keep the scoreboard ticking over. He was bought for 750,000 dollars in this year’s auction by KKR who needed a replacement for the absent Shoaib Akhtar.
Shane Warne, Rajasthan Royals - The wizard of spin, arguably the greatest spin bowler of all time, Warne ended his international career with 708 Test and 291 ODI wickets for Australia. Warne, one of the greatest brains to have played cricket, did not lead the Australian team at any point in his career. However, when he got the opportunity to mentor the Rajasthan Royals as captain-coach in 2007, he displayed to the world that he was probably the greatest captain not to have led his national side in cricket's history. Even after calling it quits from international cricket, he motivated a bunch of lesser-known cricketers so much so, that they ended up winning the inaugural IPL. He was so good with the ball that the Australian media went berserk trying to convince ‘Warney’ to come back to international cricket for the 2007 Ashes. This year’s IPL comes back to India, the favourite hunting ground of the Royals who remained unbeaten at home in the first edition of the IPL.