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Featured Sport News

IPL back in the spotlight

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 12/04/2009

Cricket's new kid on the block starts its second season later this month, as the Indian Premier League confusingly gets underway in South Africa.

Security concerns have led to the tournament being moved away from the sub-continent, but the hype surrounding the Twenty20 showpiece is likely to be just as intense.

However, anyone hoping to pick up a betting tip to win the IPL crown will hardly be enthused by the comments of Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody.

The big Aussie recently stated: "There is no way anybody can pick one team above the other. All the sides are evenly matched.

"All the teams in the competition are very strong. I think it would be foolish of anyone to try and predict who the favourites or second favourites will be."

The first season of the IPL saw the Rajasthan Royals emerge victorious after a last-ball three-wicket win over the Chennai Super Kings, with Shane Warne scripting a perfect finale by hitting the winning runs himself.

The former Australia legend will be back to captain and coach the Royals, but his side have been affected by the news that Pakistan left-arm quickie Sohail Tanvir will miss the tournament, having taken a league-leading 22 wickets last season.

Last season's beaten finalists, the Super Kings, may struggle to repeat their run to the final, with Aussie batting ace Mike Hussey sitting out most of the IPL to prepare for this summer's Ashes series in England.

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram is a major doubt due to continuing injury problems, leaving Chennai skipper MS Dhoni short of top-class back-up, with Andrew Flintoff set for only a short stint in South Africa.

Moody's Punjab outfit reached the last four last time out, fired in no small measure by 616 runs from Aussie opener Shaun Marsh - but he will miss the first half of the second IPL season.

That leaves extra responsibility on the shoulders of skipper Yuvraj Singh, but he has the talent to deal with being in the spotlight and will be crucial to his side's prospects.

The Delhi Daredevils could be the team to watch, with skipper Virender Sehwag having been in explosive form in all forms of the game in recent months, while much will be expected of Australian starlet David Warner.

He recently made his Twenty20 debut for his country, having not yet broken into first-class cricket.

The four remaining sides - Bangalore Royal Challengers, Deccan Chargers, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians - will all be hoping to improve on last year's show.

The Challengers made the biggest move in the recent auction for new players, paying more then $1.5million for the services of England's star batsman Kevin Pietersen, but he will only be available for small slice of the tournament.

However, New Zealander Jesse Ryder could prove to be a better investment for the Bangalore franchise, while Mumbai have surely paid over the odds for rising South Africa star JP Duminy.

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