Chennai Super Kings
With superstar world players who have clearly gelled in both the batting and bowling departments it’s no surprise to see them installed favourites with many bookies.
Matthew Hayden has been revelling in Indian conditions and Michael Hussey hasn’t been far behind – but will they be called up to the full Australia squad later in May? If so that will hurt the side, but Stephen Fleming can provide classy batting back up and Muttiah Muralitharan will always deliver with the ball.
Rajasthan Royals
Started slowly, but Shane Warne’s side are beginning to warm to the tournament. Warne has been brilliant with the ball and on occasion with the bat as well.
They don’t possess any likely call ups from the squads of Australia, New Zealand or West Indies so should end the season with a full quota. That could be crucial and if expensive purchase Mohammed Kaif pulls his finger out the Royals must be feared.
Deccan Chargers
Despite having the likes of Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, VVS Laxman and Herschelle Gibbs, the Chargers have struggled at times. They look great on paper but one of the keys to 20Twenty is balance. They desperately need to improve their bowling in the second half of the tournament if they are to challenge for honours.
Delhi Daredevils
Glenn McGrath has been the side’s outstanding performer backed up by a brilliant Indian batting line up. Sehwag and Gambhir have delivered in spades with the willow and if they fail to shine over the coming weeks then the likes of Shoaib Malik and AB De Villiers will provide able support.
Kings XI Punjab
As expected Brett Lee has been superb, but he needs one or two more to raise their games. Controversy has overshadowed their efforts with Shanthakumaran Sreesanth cited for abusing Yousuf Pathan and Kamran Akmal.
Sreesanth got his come uppance though with Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh famously slapping him.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Team superstars Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting have been poor by their very high standards thus far. Luckily, some of the lesser known Indians have shone. Players like Wriddhiman Saha, Debabrata Das and AB Dinda have shown the senior players the way, but it is unrealistic to expect those three to keep punching above their weight for the rest of the season.
Bangalore Royal Challengers
Rahul Dravid’s side have much to do if they are to justify being the second most expensive franchise in the league. Anil Kumble looks like he couldn’t care less, and Dravid’s scoring with the bat has been so slow he looks like he’s playing Test cricket.
Wasim Jaffer has looked half decent at times but it’s not enough.
Mumbai Indians
The priciest franchise in IPL started things off very badly with stand in skipper Harbhajan Singh banned for the rest of the tournament for slapping Sreesanth. Injured Sachin Tendulkar is yet to face a ball in anger, although he is expected to be fit for the second half of the season.
That said, Robin Uthappa has been brilliant and Shaun Pollock is well capable of sparking into life to give the Indians hope of a strong run to a Wankhede final in their home city.
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