Features

IPL back on centre stage

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 12/03/2010
Cricket betting

Cricket fans will be following proceedings in India on Friday as the Indian Premier League bats its way back into action.

With eight big-hitting teams preparing to let the willow do the talking in Asia, we take a look at the squads and who they can look to as they seek glory in the money-spinning event.

Deccan Chargers - Last season's winners Deccan Chargers have retained the majority of their big-name stars but elder statesmen such as Scott Styris, Adam Gilchrist and Chaminda Vaas will be expected to lead the way.

South African Herschelle Gibbs offers an explosive option as does Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

Rajasthan Royals - The Royals, winners of the inaugural event in 2008, will be guided by talismanic spinner Shane Warne.

The legendary slow turner will be ably backed up by world stars such as fellow countrymen Shane Watson, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges and Damien Martyn, with South Africa captain Graeme Smith and his compatriot's Johan Botha and Morne Morkel providing further bowling strength.

Their line-up is mouthwatering but whether they can get it right this time around remains to be seen.

England's Dimitri Mascarenhas will also represent the franchise.

Kolkata Knight Riders - India hero Sourav Ganguly will lead out the side and he has two of the most feared batsmen in the game in his ranks.

West Indies skipper Chris Gayle and New Zealand star Brendon McCullum will be looking to get their eye in at the earliest opportunity this term and with the powerful Brad Hodge, who averages a strike-rate of almost 130 in the Twenty20 format, will also strike fear into opposition bowlers.

Home favourite Ishant Sharma will act as their spearhead bowler.

Can Deccan Chargers retain their Indian Premier League crown this season? Will Rajasthan Royals regain it? Or will one of the other six big-hitting outfits grab the glory? - Latest Cricket Betting

Mumbai Indians - One of the world's greatest players ever to pick up a cricket bat Sachin Tendulkar will lead from the front as the Indians seek to stamp their mark on the competition.

A tasty bowling attack of Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, a frightening batsman in Shikhar Dhawan and all-rounders Dwayne Bravo, Sanath Jayasuriya and England's Graham Napier look to make up a fine unit and they could go close this year.

Delhi Daredevils - Local lad Gautum Gambhir is just one of Delhi's top-order batsmen.

He joins an impressive list with AB de Villiers, David Warner and Virender Sehwag likely to be amongst the runs and with their star-studded line-up, they are the online sportsbook favourites to win this season's competition.

Left-hand seamer Wayne Parnell could be one of the leading wicket-takers with his fine variations.

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Kevin Pietersen will be looking to get kick-start his career after failing to regain his form following Achilles surgery last year.

He will line-up alongside England colleague Eoin Morgan, who has been in sublime form in the shortened version of the game.

Captain Anil Kumble will be the undoubted home favourite and with South Africa trio Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher, there is strength with the ball and bat in abundance.

Kings XI Punjab - Yuvraj Singh will be the chief for Punjab and he will be looking to clear the boundary rope at every opportunity.

Wicket-keeping batsman and captain Kumar Sangakkara will play with his Sri Lanka team-mate Mahela Jayawardene.

Recently retired Test bowler Brett Lee will be aiming to prove he can still cut it in the big time. England discard Ravi Bopara will also feature.

Chennai Super Kings - India pin-up MS Dhoni will be wanting to be the shining light for his side, but with Australia duo Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey no mugs with the bat, they could prove to be a telling difference for Chennai.

Leading wicket-taker in international cricket Muttiah Muralitharan heads an otherwise average looking bowling attack and this may hinder their chances.

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