Even Harmanpreet Kaur leading India Women in a historic Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh Women will take a back seat when the Indian Premier League gets underway for its sixth season tomorrow, when reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders take on perennial nearly-men Delhi Daredevils.
There is in fact, not much international cricket scheduled at all over the next six weeks, leaving the IPL room to take centre stage and giving the maximum opportunity for international players from around the world to combine with the best India has to offer in the world’s most high-profile domestic-cum-almost-international Twenty20 event.
Some of the biggest headlines leading into the event have been generated by events off the field. The demise of Deccan Chargers to be superceded by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Injuries ruling out Kevin Pietersen, Michael Clarke and Jesse Ryder. Political tensions in Tamil Nadu eventually preventing Sri Lankans from playing in Chennai. Matches being shifted at the last minute to avoid clashes with elections.
So far, so standard. The IPL needs a good season. In 2011 it came too quickly after India’s World Cup success and last year, enlarged to 10 teams, it seemed to have lost some of its punch, and the figures showed.
This year, with India on a high after beating Australia, but still with players such as Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh with a point or two to prove, it could be the best yet.
For me though, rather than giving more experienced players including Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and others a final chance to shine, I’m looking forward to India’s new generation.
Can Unmukt Chand, who led India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup last year, establish himself in Delhi’s middle order and make an impression? Can Cheteshwar Pujara follow up a bumper summer with runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore? Can somebody else step up and make a name for themselves like Manish Pandey, Paul Valthaty or Rahul Sharma?
Other players who I am tipping to have big tournaments are Ross Taylor, Marlon Samuels, Andre Russell and Faf du Plessis. Taylor is clearly not a happy man within the New Zealand set up and the IPL could free him up. He’s always a dangerous hitter in any kind of cricket. Samuels has had a wonderful last 18 months and was outstanding during West Indies’ T20 World Cup win.
Andre Russell is a player I rate very highly, even though he can’t always get into West Indies’ line-up due to the presence in front of him of Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard while du Plessis comes into the tournament in as good form as any.
My predictions are in the main fairly, erm, predictable. I can’t see beyond Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians making it through to the play-offs. Their squads are just too strong and they have the experience of making it through in previous years.
Then, I see Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad fighting it out for the final place and Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
Somebody has got to finish last but even in the IPL, no team will finish with a ‘traditional’ wooden spoon with absolutely no victories. Twenty20 is too unpredictable for that. Only a fool would make predictions. Join me with yours if you dare.