CSK Return Adds Spice To IPL 2018

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League keeps getting bigger with each passing edition and the return of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings and Shane Warne-coached Rajasthan Royals for the 11th edition only adds to the cult of the most popular Twenty20 league in the world.

Both Super Kings and Royals are back after serving two-year bans for their role in the spot-fixing scandal but their fans have remained as loyal as ever, especially the ones supporting the men in yellow.

The wait to see Dhoni and Co back playing for the Chennai side only made them desperate, as it was evident during a warm-up game at Chepauk where fans turned up in huge numbers.

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They would be expecting nothing less than a third trophy from the Super Kings and Royals would be hoping that Warne inspires them to another triumph after 10 long years.

However, if anyone has unfinished business over a decade of IPL, it is India captain Virat Kohli. He made his intent amply clear earlier this week.

"More than the fans I want to win the cup," said the champion batsman.

In Kohli and AB de Villiers' presence, batting was never an issue for RCB and this time the last season's wooden spooners seem to have enough firepower in the bowling department.

The Yuzvendra Chahal-led spin attack has been bolstered by the entry of Washington Sundar. The management still has faith in left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, for whom they used the Right To Match card at the auction.

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They have a top-quality Indian pacer in Umesh Yadav who will be supported by Delhi's Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj, who made his international debut in November.

Also holding key to their chances would be England all-rounder Chris Woakes, the most expensive player RCB bought at the auction.

While there is never a shortage of star players in the lucrative league but injuries and the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa have robbed the tournament of at least four world-class players.

Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabida will miss the IPL due to injuries while Steven Smith and David Warner, who both were named captains of Royals and Sunrisers respectively, were barred from the competition after Cricket Australia banned them for one year for their role in the infamous ball-tampering incident in Cape Town.

Both Royals and Sunrisers will undoubtedly miss the services of their star players but at the same would be determined to put the setback behind under new captains Ajinkya Rahane and Kane Williamson.

Contrary to their reputation of spending frugally, Royals went all out at the auction time spending big money on the likes of Ben Stokes (Rs 12.5 crore) and Jaydev Unadkat (Rs 11.5 crore), who ended up as season's costliest buys.

They went big even after uncapped players like Sussex all-rounder Jofra Archer (Rs 7.2 crore) and Karnataka offie K Gowtham (Rs 6.2 crore).

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They also have BBL star batsman D'Arcy Short and Smith's replacement Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa. The management has spent the big bucks this time and all they would be hoping is for a decent return on investment.

For the 2016 champions, Warner's absence has left a huge void at the top of the order though Alex Hales is capable of doing the opening job alonside Shikhar Dhawan.

They managed to retain a chunk of the players from the last season and that certainly is a big positive for them going into a new season.

They have brought in Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan to boost the middle order while their bowling line-up is one of the strongest this season.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma will do the bulk of work in pace department while Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan and Bangladesh star Shakib Al Hasan form a potent spin duo. PTI