Sunrisers Hyderabad
Best Result
Champions 2016
Strengths
Arguably the most well-rounded team this season, thanks to retaining the best T20 bowler in the world (Rashid Khan), and picking up the likes of Martin Guptill and Jonny Bairstow in
the auction. Above all else, David Warner is back.
Weaknesses
On paper? None. If we had to nitpick, their middle order, which has underperformed recently, especially since their 2016
win, could do with an improvement.
Players to watch
Rashid Khan, David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson
Predicted finish
Likely finalists
Delhi Capitals
Best Result
Play-offs 2008, 2009, 2012
Strengths
The revamped team has added experience to its young batting attack (Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer) via veteran Shikhar Dhawan and, importantly, shored up the middle order with Hanuma Vihari and Colin Ingram. And don’t forget its pacers: Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult and Chris Morris.
Weaknesses
DC’s bowling is too dependent on overseas players. And although they have a new name and identity, they still carry the pressures of having never made it to a final.
Players to watch
Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari
Predicted Finish
They’ll have to work for a play-off spot
Kolkata Knight Riders
Best Result
Champions 2012, 2014
Strengths
KKR have a good blend of global T20 and homebred talent, having had the foresight to invest in young players like Shubman Gill and Kamlesh Nagarkoti last season. They’ve also got among the most ferocious spin line-ups (Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla).
Weaknesses
KKR tend to rely on their original XI, which is risky in the face of injuries. Their pacers also don’t seem to match up to their spinners.
Players to watch
Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill and Kamlesh Nagarkoti (set to finally debut after sitting out last season due to injury)
Predicted Finish
Play-offs
Chennai Super Kings
Best Result
Champions 2010, 2011, 2018
Strengths
The soul of CSK remains the same: Almost all of the players who were part of CSK’s previous three championships are still here, including veteran T20 specialists Dwayne Bravo, Suresh Raina and the man himself, MS Dhoni
Weaknesses
Chennai may have proved that age is just a number, but their superstars are, to put it nicely, old. Add a middling bowling unit, and things don’t look so perfect.
Players to Watch
MS Dhoni
(obviously), Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav and Shane Watson
Predicted Finish
Our favourites for a record 4th title
Kings XI Punjab
Best Result
Finalists 2014
Strengths
For the first time, Chris Gayle may not be at the centre of his team’s strategy – thanks to the batting prowess of Prabhsimran Singh, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul and Karun Nair. Spinners M Ashwin, R Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and all-rounders Moises Henriques and Andrew Tye balance things out.
Weaknesses
That balance comes at a price: The top-heavy team looks almost entirely new (even the staff is new), which raises questions
of cohesiveness.
Players to watch
Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Agarwal, Sam Curran, M Ashwin
Predicted Finish
Play-offs, but only if everything syncs up