IPL 2019: 4 teams that are likely to make the playoffs
It's that time of the year! IPL is back for chapter no. 12 and with the ICC World Cup approaching, the enthusiasm is as good as ever. It's the time of the year, where fans from all around the globe join hands to support their franchises, fans go crazy with all the permutations for their fantasy sides and finally young players go all-out to redeem themselves and try to break through to the national side.
Chennai Super Kings, in their comeback season, showed why they are unrivalled, by lifting the IPL trophy for the third time under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Both Mumbai Indians and CSK have lifted the trophy thrice. Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils), Royal Challengers Bangalore have come close but never tasted success.
Here are the four teams that are most likely to reach the playoffs.
Please note that the teams are in no chronological order.
#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad are no newbies to the playoff stages, having reached the last four, 4 times out of the 6 seasons they have played in. They went to lift the trophy in 2016 and were denied by CSK in the final last year.
Sunrisers have inarguably the best bowling lineup among all the eight teams. In the trading window, they traded Shikhar Dhawan to Delhi Capitals for Vijay Shankar, Shahbaz Nadeem and Abhishek Sharma. In a move that looked like a setback, it now looks a blessing in disguise. With Shankar coming up through the ranks to stake his claim for the first choice all-rounder position in the Indian Team, he will be a definite starter in the Hyderabad based franchise.
Fireworks are expected as David Warner would be returning to the franchise. However, it remains to be seen that who'll captain the side. Williamson captained the side exceedingly well by reaching the final. The SRH think-tank also roped in Martin Guptill and Jonny Bairstow, one of whom could fill in for Dhawan if Kane decides to bat at three.
With Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib in the middle and the lower order, the batting looks formidable. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to partner Siddharth Kaul. The duo was exceptional in the death overs last year. After finishing second on the Purple Cap list in 2018, Rashid Khan will be the player to watch out for.
A cool minded captain, a formidable batting order, a bowling lineup that can give any team a run for their money, SRH look firm to go far in the league.
Probable XI - Warner, Saha (wk), Williamson, Pandey, Shankar, Shakib, Yusuf, Hooda, Rashid, Bhuvi, Kaul.