IPL auction 2018: Know the teams

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bengaluru, January 24: Eight franchisees, including the returning Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, will enter the IPL auction on January 27 and 28 looking for best of talents from across the cricketing world.

Mykhel presents you profile of those eight teams.

Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai team, perhaps, has been the most popular among all IPL teams. The presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and a free-flowing brand of cricket made them popular transcending the regional barriers.

That the fans were talking about them even in their absence proved CSK's popularity.
They are back after a two-year gap and fans are eagerly waiting for the action. Under Dhoni, they are ready for more titles and some edge of the seat thriller.

Rajasthan Royals

Like Chennai Super Kings, the Rajasthan outfit too is coming back after a two-year hiatus. They have retained Steve Smith and the Australian captain will in all probability lead Royals too.

After their fairytale title win in the inaugural edition in 2008, Royals have blown hot and blown cold in the subsequent seasons. Now, they will look to add fresh talents through the auction and stitch together another great run.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians is the most successful franchise in the ten-year-long history of Indian Premier League (IPL). Having lifted the trophy three-times, most by any side, MI emerged as the top performer ever since team's reigns were handed over to Rohit Sharma.

The started as a star-studded side with the presence of the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh. However, the team failed to crack the winning formula in the first four seasons.

Rohit, who joined the franchise in 2011, was named the captain in 2013 and led the team to its maiden IPL triumph. The Mumbai-batsman later went on leading the franchise to win the IPL title in 2015 and 2017.

MI have retained match-winners like skipper Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the eleventh edition (IPL 2018).

Royal Challengers Bangalore

They offer a very curious case. After a misfiring first season, RCB infused some massive talents like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle while others like Yuvraj Singh and Ross Taylor were part of the team at various stages. But a title has eluded them.

They, perhaps, are among the perennial pre-tournament favourites but only fleetingly have managed to live up to the hype. Faltering at crucial matches has been their Achilles Heel.

Will RCB change that script this year? Let's wait.

Kolkata Knight Riders

From being the laughing stock of the early editions, the Kolkata team has walked a long distance to being two-time title winners. The team should thank profusely that combative little man from Delhi - Gautam Gambhir for giving it a new direction.

But KKR and Gambhir have part ways ahead of the 2018 edition and it will be interesting to see their choice of skipper for the upcoming season.

Nonetheless, KKR are certain to give some fascinating moments.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The franchise came into existence in 2013 after Deccan Chargers was terminated. They won the IPL in 2016 defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore.

David Warner and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been a key reason for the team's good show and the inclusion of Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan in the last season also proved to be a good investment. Though they failed to defend title in 2017, Sunrisers surely will be a force to reckon with.

Having retained Warner and Bhuvneshwar for 2018, SRH might use right to match (RTM) cards for the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rashid Khan in the auction.

Kings XI Punjab

KXIP were considered a top contender for the trophy in the inaugural season due to the presence of the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Brett Lee, S Sreesanth. However, they failed to click as a unit in their first season and have consistently disappointed their fans in the ensuing seasons too.

But their fortunes changed in 2014 after naming George Bailey as their skipper. The Australian led the side from the front and it seemed the players were playing together under him.

In 2014 they reached the final but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. That remained their lone high point as the successive seasons once again proved to be a damp-squib. They finished 8th, 8th and 5th in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.

For 2018, they have retained only all-rounder Axar Patel and might use right to RTMs for some others.

Delhi Daredevils

The Delhi Daredevils started the IPL as one of the favourites due to the presence of players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, David Warner etc. in the inaugural season. But, somewhere, these big names failed to click as a unit and Delhi never performed as fans hoped them to do so.

For 2018, Daredevils have retained Shreyas Iyer, Rishabah Pant and Chris Morris and appointed Australian great Ricky Ponting as their batting coach. Ponting, who has been a coach of MI in the past, will be working along with head coach Paddy Upton. The franchise would hope this pair turns their fortune this time around.