In it's second part of SWOT analysis of the participating teams, TOI looks at how Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders look like.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
Can they shed the tag of perennial underachievers? RCB will play six of their seven home matches in the first four weeks of the competition and Faf du Plessis and his men will be keen to cash in on the early home advantage...
STRENGTH: Top-order batting. Virat Kohli's recent return to form augurs well. With Glenn Maxwell likely to be fit, the stars seem to have aligned.
WEAKNESS: Middle-order batting and death-overs bowling. RCB also need their battery of domestic bowlers to back pacemen Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel.
OPPORTUNITY: In Josh Hazlewood's absence, focus is on England's left-arm seamer Reece Topley to deliver with the new ball. Watch out also for Avinash Singh, the new pacer from J&K.
THREAT: The spin department, especially in home conditions. Wanindu Hasaranga and Shahbaz Ahmed are the top picks.
KEY PLAYERS:
Virat Kohli: Having rediscovered his mojo, his form will be crucial for the team.
Faf du Plessis: The Proteas stalwart led from the front in the previous season and emerged the highest run-getter with 468 runs.
Mohammed Siraj: In Hazlewood's absence, the pacer will have to up his game, especially at the death.
NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Avinash Singh: The former tennis-ball cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir is untested but could be RCB's surprise package.
Reece Topley: The left-arm pacer from England will be a vital cog in RCB's foreign-player line-up.
INJURY WATCH
England allrounder Will Jacks is ruled out. Pace ace Josh Hazlewood and batter Rajat Patidar will miss the initial phase.
DELHI CAPITALS
They have been consistent enough in the last four editions under coach Ricky Ponting, but need that extra push under new captain David Warner. . .
STRENGTH: Powerful top order with David Warner, Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh.
WEAKNESS: Rishabh Pant's absence has shaken the balance of the side, especially the middle order. With no Indian wicketkeeper matching Pant's ability, DC may have to compromise their fast bowling department by dropping an overseas pacer.
OPPORTUNITY: Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, who displayed some good form in domestic cricket, have a chance to show they are ready for the big league.
THREAT: Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav need to swing matches at crucial junctures, but can they deliver consistently in this format?
KEY PLAYERS
David Warner: One of the most prolific IPL batters. Has the experience of leading an IPL team to the trophy.
Axar Patel: Has developed into a strong allrounder. His batting ability could make up for Pant's absence in the middle.
Anrich Nortje: Led Capitals' charge in the last three seasons with his searing pace and wicket-taking ability.
NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Aman Khan: Capitals traded Shardul Thakur with this 26-yearold seam-bowling allrounder. Ponting has been very impressed with his power hitting.
Ishant Sharma: Discarded from India's Test squad, Ishant is back in the IPL. He could make up for the lack of experience in the fast-bowling department. Can be used as an 'Impact Player' too.
Mukesh Kumar: Bought for Rs 5 crore, this pacer from Bengal has been making all the right noises.
INJURY WATCH
Rishabh Pant is out with injury. South African pacers Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi will miss the first match since are busy playing the World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands.
1/10:Best bowling spells in IPL history
Getty Images
2/10:Alzarri Joseph
<p>Gujarat Titans' right-arm fast bowler Alzarri Joseph of West Indies bowled the best spell in IPL history taking 6/12 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6, 2019. </p>Getty Images
3/10:Sohail Tanvir
<p>In the inaugural edition, Rajasthan Royals' left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir of Pakistan took 6/14 against Chennai Super Kings on May 4, 2008.</p>TNN
4/10:Adam Zampa
<p>Playing for Rising Pune Supergiants, Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa registered 6/19 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 10, 2016.</p>TNN
5/10:Anil Kumble
<p>Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Indian leg-spin legend Anil Kumble took 5/5 against Rajasthan Royals on April 18, 2009.</p>TNN
6/10:Jasprit Bumrah
<p>India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah put Mumbai Indians on the top with a 5/10 spell against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 9. 2022. </p>TNN
7/10:Ishant Sharma
<p>India pacer Ishant Sharma, playing for Deccan Chargers, destroyed Kochi Tuskers Kerala with a lethal spell of 5/12 on April 27, 2011.</p>TNN
8/10:Lasith Malinga
<p>Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka took 5/13 against Delhi Daredevils on April 10, 2011.</p>TNN
9/10:Ankit Rajpoot
<p>Kings XI Punjab's Ankit Rajpoot became the first uncapped player in history to register a five-wicket haul when he took 5/14 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 26, 2018.</p>TNN
10/10:Andre Russell
<p>Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell of West Indies took 5/15 against Mumbai Indians on April 13, 2021. </p>TNNPUNJAB KINGS
Have never won the title and are prone to making wholesale changes after nearly every season. The last time they reached the playoffs was back in 2014. . .
STRENGTH: The batting looks strong with several power-hitters in the line-up. Shikhar Dhawan offers solidity as well as consistency at the top. Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan and Sam Curran can go ballistic.
WEAKNESS: Lack of credible death-overs specialists. Sam Curran is good towards the end with his wide yorkers and slower deliveries but lacks support.
OPPORTUNITY: On paper, have the personnel to maximise boundary hitting.
THREAT: Bowling attack lacks a bit of the oomph that defines their batting.
KEY PLAYERS
Shikhar Dhawan: The captain, known to keep his cool in crunch situations, is also the second highest run getter in IPL history.
Sam Curran: The star allrounder helped CSK win their fourth IPL title in the 2021 season before giving the last season a miss due to back injury.
Arshdeep Singh: Was India's main man at the T20 World Cup in Australia. Is known to swing the new ball both ways and then bowl toe-crushing yorkers at the death.
NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Sam Curran: Punjab picked Curran at the auction for Rs 18. 50 crore, making the Englishman the most expensive player in IPL history. His addition to the team brings in a lot of depth in both the bowling and batting departments.
Sikandar Raza: The Zimbabwean has been in brilliant form over the last two years. Starred for his country at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Also helped Lahore Qalandars win the PSL this year. A handy spinner too.
Vidwath Kaverappa: Remember the name. Pace-bowling sensation from Karnataka who impressed one and all in his debut season (2022-23). Gets awkward bounce and has a mean yorker. Was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 with 18 wickets from 8 games.
INJURY WATCH
Englishman Jonny Bairstow continues to recover from a leg injury that he suffered in September last year while playing golf. Liam Livingstone suffered a knee injury during England's tour to Pakistan last year and is likely to miss the first couple of matches.
1/10:Fastest centuries in IPL history
TNN
2/10:Chris Gayle
<p>Royal Challengers Bangalore's Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest hundred in IPL history when he smashed a ton off just 30 balls against Pune Warriors on April 23, 2013.</p>TNN
3/10:Yusuf Pathan
<p>Rajasthan Royals' Yusuf Pathan took the Mumbai Indians bowling attack to the cleaners with a 37-ball hundred on March 13, 2010.</p>TNN
4/10:David Miller
<p>Kings XI Punjab's David Miller sent the RCB bowlers on a leather hunt with a 38-ball ton on May 6, 2013.</p>TNN
5/10:Adam Gilchrist
<p>Deccan Chargers' Adam Gilchrist slammed a 42-ball century against Mumbai Indians in the inaugural edition on April 27, 2008.</p>TNN
6/10:AB de Villiers
<p>RCB's AB de Villiers smashed a hundred off 43 balls against Gujarat Lions on May 14, 2016.</p>TNN
7/10:David Warner
<p>David Warner hit a quickfire ton off 43 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 30, 2017.</p>TNN
8/10:Sanath Jayasuriya
<p>Sanath Jayasuriya comes next in the list with a 45-ball century for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural edition on May 14, 2008.</p>TNN
9/10:Mayank Agarwal
<p>Kings XI Punjab's Mayank Agarwal hit a 45-ball ton against Rajasthan Royals on September 27, 2020.</p>TNN
10/10:Murali Vijay
<p>Chennai Super Kings' Murali Vijay slammed a 46-ball hundred against Rajasthan Royals on April 3, 2010.</p>TNNSUNRISERS HYDERABAD
A new-look team with a new captain in Aiden Markram. Most of their overseas players come into IPL in red-hot form. It'll be a toss-up between Mayank and Bhuvneshwar to lead in the first two games as the South African players are not available. . .
STRENGTH: Potent bowling line-up comprising Umran Malik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Marco Jansen, T Natarajan, Fazalhaq Farooki, Washington Sundar and Adil Rashid. Plenty of variety.
WEAKNESS: Below-par performance of domestic players.
OPPORTUNITY: The likes of Rahul Tripathi, Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Vivrant Sharma and Samarth Vyas can prove their mettle.
THREAT: The challenge is to ensure Natarajan and Washington are back to full fitness and Bhuvneshwar stays injury-free.
KEY PLAYERS
Aiden Markram: In great form. Was player of the tournament in SAT20 and was part of the T20I in which South Africa chased down a record total set by the West Indies.
Harry Brook: It will be the Englishman's first IPL experience. He's been scoring centuries for fun in Test cricket.
Umran Malik: Fast and exciting. Opponents will have enough data on him by now, but he can beat the best by sheer pace.
NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Adil Rashid: Will hope to fill the big shoes of Rashid Khan.
Harry Brook: Unknown commodity but has the licence to go bang-bang in the middle.
Aiden Markram: His batting and man-management will be tested.
INJURY WATCH
All are fit. SRH must keep an eye on the workload of Bhuvneshwar, Washington and Natarajan.
1/10:10 fastest half-centuries in IPL history
TNN
2/10:KL Rahul and Pat Cummins
<p>KL Rahul and Pat Cummins hold the record for the fastest half-century in IPL history with both of them getting to the mark off 14 balls.</p>TNN
3/10:KL Rahul
<p>Playing for Kings XI Punjab, Rahul smashed 4 sixes and 6 fours for a 14-ball fifty against Delhi Daredevils in Mohali on April 8, 2018.</p>TNN
4/10:Pat Cummins
<p>Cummins equalled Rahul's record slamming 4 fours and 6 sixes for Kolkata Knight Riders against Mumbai Indians in Pune on April 6, 2022. (BCCI/IPL Photo)</p>TNN
5/10:Yusuf Pathan
<p>Kolkata Knight Riders' Yusuf Pathan comes next in the list with a 15-ball fifty against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata on May 24, 2014.</p>TNN
6/10:Sunil Narine
<p>Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunil Narine also hit a 15-ball fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bangalore on May 7, 2017.</p>TNN
7/10:Suresh Raina
<p>Next in the list is Suresh Raina's 16-ball fifty for Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab in Mumbai on May 30, 2014.</p>TNN
8/10:Ishan Kishan
<p>Mumbai Indians' Ishan Kishan also smashed a 16-ball fifty against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Abu Dhabi on October 8, 2021.</p>TNN
9/10:Chris Gayle
<p>Chris Gayle hit a 17-ball fifty for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in Bangalore on April 23, 2013.</p>TNN
10/10:Hardik Pandya
<p>Mumbai Indians' Hardik Pandya also slammed a 17-ball fifty against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on April 28, 2019.</p>TNNKOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
The two-time champions grossly underperformed last season, finishing seventh. Can the new management comprising head coach Chandrakant Pandit, bowling coach Bharat Arun and captain Nitish Rana deliver this time?
STRENGTH: Allrounders. In Russell, Narine, Hasan and Thakur, they have players who can be useful with both bat and ball. Then there are Venkatesh Iyer, David Wiese and Shakib Al Hasan who can play more than just one role.
WEAKNESS: Unsettled look at the top. Prone to using various opening combinations. May miss someone to anchor the innings.
OPPORTUNITY: The likes of Russell, Narine and Venkatesh Iyer have the potential to single-handedly pull off a win. Then there's the presence of some very hard hitters in Litton Das, David Wiese, Narayan Jagadeeshan and Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
THREAT: If their leading lights fail, KKR may lose direction. Too much dependence on individuals.
KEY PLAYERS
Nitish Rana: It remains to be seen whether the added responsibility of captaincy helps his batting.
Shardul Thakur: Apart from intelligent bowling, he is very useful as a lower-order batter.
Andre Russell: Always the key man. If he gets going, job is done.
NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Litton Das: Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter has been on fire in recent times.
David Wiese: Not exactly young at 37, but this ex-South African-now Namibian player can make useful contributions. Back in the IPL after seven long years.
Narayan Jagadeeshan: The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter can be an answer to KKR's opening woes, given that he has been in excellent form with five consecutive centuries in List A cricket.
INJURY WATCH
Regular skipper Shreyas Iyer is out with back injury. It is not clear when he will be available.
1/10:Indians to take hat-tricks in IPL history
TNN
2/10:Lakshmipathy Balaji
<p>Chennai Super Kings' Lakshmipathy Balaji took the first hat-trick of the IPL with the wickets of Kings XI Punjab's Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla and VRV Singh on May 10, 2008.</p>TNN
3/10:3 IPL hat-tricks
<p>Amit Mishra is the only bowler in history who has taken 3 hat-tricks in the IPL - in 2008, 2011 and 2013, playing for different teams.</p>TNN
4/10:Amit Mishra
<p>In the inaugural edition, Amit Mishra picked a hat-trick for Delhi Daredevils taking the wickets of Deccan Chargers' Ravi Teja, Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh on May 15, 2008.</p>TNN
5/10:Yuvraj Singh
<p>Yuvraj Singh picked up his two hat-tricks in the same season while playing for Kings XI Punjab in 2009.</p>TNN
6/10:Yuvraj Singh
<p>Yuvraj Singh's first hat-trick came against Royal Challengers Bangalore when he dismissed Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher on May 1, 2009.</p>TNN
7/10:Rohit Sharma
<p>Deccan Chargers' Rohit Sharma got the scalps of Mumbai Indians' Abhishek Nayar, Harbhajan Singh and Jean-Paul Duminy for his hat-trick on May 6, 2009. </p>Getty Images
8/10:Yuvraj Singh
<p>Yuvraj Singh's second hat-trick came against Deccan Chargers with the scalps of Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Venugopal Rao on May 17, 2009.</p>TNN
9/10:Praveen Kumar
<p>Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Praveen Kumar dismissed Rajasthan Royals' Damien Martyn, Sumit Narwal and Paras Dogra for his hat-trick on March 18, 2010.</p>TNN
10/10:Amit Mishra
<p>Amit Mishra's second hat-trick came for Deccan Chargers when he dismissed Kings XI Punjab's Ryan McLaren, Mandeep Singh and Ryan Harris on May 21, 2011.</p>TNN(Text by Manuja Veerappa, Arani Basu, Hindol Basu, JAC Gladson, Saibal Bose)
