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IPL 2024: Team-By-Team Preview

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League promises just as much drama, intrigue and unnecessary sound effects as previous iterations of the franchise showpiece. James Richardson looks at each IPL franchise and assess how they will go in 2024.
Hardik Pandaya and MS Dhoni IPL
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League promises just as much drama, intrigue and unnecessary sound effects as previous iterations of the franchise showpiece. James Richardson looks at each IPL franchise and assess how they will go in 2024.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

While certain teams always seem to challenge for the top honours each new campaign brings fresh challenges.

Some teams are well-placed thanks to smart business and collections of in-form players; others could already be panicking with their auction business a shambles, and injuries also taking their toll.

MUMBAI INDIANS – 4/1

The Mumbai Indians are tied as the most successful team in the IPL in terms of trophies lifted and only CSK have made the play-offs more often.

They welcome back Hardik Pandya to the franchise where he made his name and he comes back as the new skipper with the team looking to take a load off India captain Rohit Sharma.

Rohit will still be among the star players in a squad that has been reinforced by the return of Pandya and the signing of fiery Proteas quick Gerald Coetzee. Jasprit Bumrah returning after missing 2023 with injury is also like a new signing for this team.

They will almost certainly be in the play-off mix if they play anywhere near their potential through the round-robin phase.

Verdict: Play-offs

At the very least, failure to reach the play-offs will be a crushing blow for such a star-studded team. 

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS – 5/1

Installed as one of the pre-tournament favourites almost as an afterthought these days, CSK have refreshed with some new stars and form players and will be dangerous in 2024.

They will be led by MS Dhoni for the umpteenth time in the IPL and if you think this will be his last campaign we’d encourage you to cool your jets.

At auction, they got a great replacement for Ben Stokes in the reliable Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand and also spent a pretty penny to recruit India prospect Sameer Rizvi with an eye on the future.

This is a team full of experienced campaigners such as Moeen Ali, Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja and it helps that they capture Mustafizur Rahman at a cut price as well.

Verdict: Champions

This is a super tight-knit group who know how to go about winning big games. I’m backing them to go all the way and defend their title in 2024.

GUJARAT TITANS – 13/2

The Gujarat Titans have made franchises who struggle to make IPL play-offs look rather daft after two great seasons in the event but they will have to deal with the loss of talismanic skipper Hardik Pandya.

Shubman Gill will skipper a squad that sees David Miller and Kane Williamson return to hunt more glory for Gujarat. The smart purchase of Umesh Yadav should go some way towards filling the void of an injured Mohammed Shami.

The Titans didn’t need to do anything crazy at auction and have put together a great group of players this term. Rashid Khan’s name gets skimmed over in IPL previews these days but few can match his incredible output in this tournament.

This team has the makings of another playoff push and possibly another appearance in the championship match.

Verdict: Finalists

There should be no reason why this absolutely stacked outfit doesn’t reach the final. 

LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS  15/2

The other team added in the most recent IPL expansion have also started very well and reached the playoffs in both of their campaigns to date.

LSG have an opener question to answer with Kyle Mayers, Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul all in line to take the attack to the new ball for this team.

They also have underrated match-winners in Krunal Pandya and Marcus Stoinis who can turn a match with the bat or the ball making this a versatile team and possible early pace-setters.

LSG have had an issue with their season falling away as the campaign goes on but will hope that experience guides them further this time around.

Verdict: Play-offs

Experience counts for plenty in the IPL and you’d expect the Super Giants to reach the play-offs at the very least. 

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE – 15/2

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been promising their loyal fans a title since they were founded but have always fallen short even with Virat Kohli at the heart of their team.

RCB have a strong list of retained players who will give them great continuity. Glenn Maxwell and Faf Du Plessis headline the overseas players staying in the mix.

A trade for Cameron Green might prove an inspired move from the RCB brains trust as he underlines the value of all-rounders in this competition.

RCB didn’t splurge at the auction but would engage in a short bidding war to get Alzarri Joseph with their focus on all-rounders.

Verdict: Miss play-offs 

History suggests that the Royal Challengers will underdeliver. I don’t think they’ll reach the play-offs this season. 

RAJASTHAN ROYALS – 17/2

The Rajasthan Royals have a strong squad and some of the best T20 talents in the world on their books but something has been missing from this group.

RR haven’t been able to win the big matches and have lacked for heroes in those moments when their stars have misfired.

Sanju Samson’s leadership will come under scrutiny and he will also be expected to make star turns with the bat even if he can call on Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal as top-order backup.

The Royals will target the title but might find their ambitions frustrated by a lack of steel.

Verdict: Miss play-offs

Like RCB, this competition hasn’t been kind to the Royals since winning the inaugural edition. Another year of frustration could be on the cards. 

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD – 9/1

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have lost their way in recent seasons as they have gone away from being a team that thrives on great bowling.

They have been chasing batting improvements but in the meantime other teams have stolen a march on them and the Sunrisers haven’t recruited the kind of players who can turn things around.

Australian signings Pat Cummins and Travis Head could be relied upon more than this team should lean on foreign stars.

They will harbour big ambitions but the Sunrisers don’t have all their ducks in a row this term.

Verdict: Miss play-offs

This side lacks the balance required to compete in the IPL. I reckon they’ll finish near the bottom of the pile. 

DELHI CAPITALS 11/1

The Delhi Capitals have had their injury worries with Lungi Ngidi ruled out but they are bolstered by the news that Anrich Nortje has passed fit and came through his return match in the T20 Challenge with no issues.

Harry Brook pulling out of the group late for personal reasons hasn’t aided the Capitals’ cause as they chase a first-ever IPL title for the capital city. While they replaced Ngidi with Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk the Capitals are yet to name a replacement for Brook.

In a huge boost to the team and the IPL as a whole Rishabh Pant comes back after 14 months away from the game following his horror car wreck.

The Capitals will hope to ride that wave of emotion and will look to David Warner and Mitchell Marsh to provide Aussie grit and fighting spirit in this tournament.

Verdict: Miss play-offs

The Capitals will battle to compete this year. Pant will likely need some time to adjust to the rigours of competitive cricket after such a long lay-off. 

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS – 12/1

The Kolkata Knight Riders have reputations as the entertainers of the IPL but those thrills come at the cost of consistency far too often.

They will welcome back their X-factor stars like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine but there just isn’t enough going on here to think that this squad will contend with the best of the IPL.

Late withdrawals from Jason Roy and Gus Atkinson has seen KKR forced to alter their plans. Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera comes in for Atkinson while Roy is replaced by in-form compatriot Phil Salt.

This team needs balance and consistency to start challenging the best in the league but there has always been showbiz glitz in this group. A blockbuster move for Mitchell Starc doesn’t make up for a middling auction.

Verdict: Miss play-offs

They’ll no doubt cause a couple of upsets but this KKR side doesn’t look to have what it takes to challenge for the title this season.

PUNJAB KINGS – 12/1

The Punjab Kings fans probably aren’t getting their hopes up after years of backing the IPL’s most wasteful franchise. They have backed top-earner Sam Curran to deliver as a clutch all-rounder but there isn’t enough depth across the board.

The Kings don’t seem to get as much out of their domestic players and have found themselves overpaying players in the hopes they will deliver on the promise of their scouts.

A late auction buy in Rilee Rossouw might end up being their best buy this term with top order power lacking apart from skipper Shikhar Dhawan. Harshal Patel will be under pressure to deliver on his larger-than-expected price.

It doesn’t really look good for the Punjab Kings after their retentions, releases and buys are taken into account.

Verdict: Miss play-offs

The Kings will be mixing it up with the likes of the Sunrisers to avoid the wooden spoon this season.

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