The Indian Premier League is only 20 days away and the excitement level is at its peak. The Mumbai Indians will take on the Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the tournament. After a successful first decade, the IPL is setting its foot in its second decade. The thrill is expected to reach a different level as the11th edition of the Indian Premier League kicks off in Mumbai.
All the eight franchises entered the auction with the hope of making a balanced side. A few teams were delighted with their buys whereas a few have suffered late blows in form of injuries. Each franchise has an established set of players and few of them can turn into game changers for their respective franchises.
On this note, let us have a look at the eight players who can be game changers for their respective franchises.
Kings XI Punjab - Marcus Stoinis
Australia's all-rounder was procured by the Kings XI Punjab for a second consecutive time. Stoinis has not had the taste of success in the IPL so far but the all-rounder has the ability to turn things around. The 28-year-old has featured in only 12 IPL matches in which he has picked up 10 wickets. He has also scored 163 runs at an average of 23. The lad from Perth has had plenty of failures in the IPL but on this occasion, Stoinis will enter the IPL as a more confident player.
With the likes of Chris Gayle, David Miller, Aaron Finch, Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal in the batting lineup, the Kings from the north can utilize the all-rounder as a finisher in the batting order. Stoinis is expected to bat at number seven for the Kings XI Punjab. On the slowish Indian tracks, the medium pacer can turn out to be handy with his off-cutters and slower deliveries.
The stupendous all-rounder has the ability to turn a game on its head. He showed his potential against arch-rivals New Zealand in the first ODI between them in 2017. Stoinis will be an integral part of KXIP's side.
Australia's T20 opener D'Arcy Short had a sensational Big Bash League which prompted the IPL franchises to bid big for him. Short scored 572 runs at an average of 57.20 in BBL 07. He maintained a fabulous strike rate of nearly 150. He will open the batting alongside Ajinkya Rahane in this IPL.
The pitches in India will suit Short's style of playing. He will have to restrict his pull shots to succeed on the slow tracks in India. The southpaw will have the responsibility of accelerating when he bats along with the innings anchor Rahane. The 27-year-old can also roll his arm over. Short scalped three wickets in this edition of the BBL.
His bowling will be crucial for the Rajasthan Royals in the absence of spin bowling all-rounders. Short can turn the game anytime with his big hitting ability.
Baroda all-rounder Deepak Hooda featured for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous edition of the tournament. Hooda was once again procured by the Orange Army. His recent form earned him an international call-up and is currently a part of India's squad for the Nidahas Trophy.
The 22-year-old has not had ample opportunities in the IPL. He has only scored 373 runs at an average of 14. He has only picked up 6 wickets in 41 games. The youngster had a modest outing in domestic cricket. He has maintained the reputation of being a powerful striker of the ball.
Hooda will look to better his statistics in this IPL. He can be a game changer for the Sunrisers Hyderabad if provided with ample opportunity. The powerful batsman will act as a finisher for his franchise.
Recent West Indian sensation Evin Lewis has been on top of his game in the recent past. Lewis started as a classical batsman back in the 2013 Champions League T20. His reputation has changed drastically as he has established himself as a fierce striker of the ball. His 176* against England is a recent example of his devastating hitting ability.
Lewis has scored two T20I hundreds. Both coming against the Men in Blue. On this occasion, the southpaw will be a part of the men in blue but in the IPL. Lewis is described as Chris Gayle version 2.0 by the fans. His ability to smash the spinners will benefit Lewis in Indian conditions.
The Carribean star is expected to open the batting alongside Ishan Kishan. Lewis can strike at the rate of knots and can change the course of the game in a blink of an eye.
The Kolkata Knight Riders are the weakest side on paper in this edition of the league. The injuries to Andre Russell, Mitchell Johnson and Chris Lynn have further added to their problems. An inexperienced KKR side will be led by Dinesh Karthik. Their bowling will depend on the likes of Mitchell Starc, Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav.
The chinaman bowler will be preferred over the leg-spinner at the Eden Gardens where the pitch is more suitable for the pacers. Kuldeep Yadav can turn the game in one over with his immaculate display of bowling. The 23-year-old recently picked a hat-trick against Australia in one-day cricket.
The southpaw has picked up 18 wickets in 15 matches in the IPL. Kuldeep can be a game changer for the Kolkata Knight Riders albeit their fans expect them to be in the bottom four in this edition.
Glenn Maxwell was procured by the Delhi Daredevils in this year's auction. Maxwell started his IPL career with the Delhi Daredevils. The all-rounder will miss the first game of the season due to Aaron Finch's wedding. Maxwell recently scored a hundred against England in the T20I series between England, New Zealand and Australia.
The Delhi Daredevils are well equipped with all types of players. Maxi is expected to bat at his usual number five position for the Daredevils from North. He can take on the spinners in the middle overs. He can also chip in with a couple of overs in every game. His fielding abilities are an addition to his abilities.
Maxwell has scored 1228 runs in the IPL with a handsome strike rate of nearly 165. He can turn the game around with his bowling, fielding or his lusty hitting.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore will be aiming to win their first IPL title. The team from Bangalore have always had a star-studded but yet they have failed to deliver on the big stage. India's current spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar will handle the spin department for the Royal Challengers.
In the previous edition of the tournament, Washington Sundar picked up eight wickets in eleven matches. He mostly bowled three overs in the power play. His economy of 6.16 is the most impressive factor about the youngster. Sundar rose to fame during the under 19 World Cup. He can be crucial with the willow in hand as well.
Sundar can change the game in a matter of moments with his striking ability which is yet to be seen in the IPL.
Shane Watson retired from international cricket in 2016 and since then he has been playing T20 leagues around the world. Watson captained the Sydney Thunder in BBL 07. The Sydney Thunder did not live up to the expectations of the fans but Watto had a wonderful season.
Watson will be one of the four overseas players of the Chennai Super Kings. He is expected to feature in almost every game. He may open the batting alongside Murali Vijay. After many years, Watson will open the batting in the IPL. He batted at number three or four for the Rajasthan Royals.
The 36-year-old is one of the best all-rounders in the world. He can change the game with his all-round abilities. Watson will have to play an integral role in CSK's success in this edition of the tournament.
