Over the years, the Indian Premier League has been chiefly dominated by two teams: Mumbai Indians (5 titles) and Chennai Super Kings (4 titles). The two teams have almost had a duopoly over the tournament for the last few years or so. Despite being too early to risk any predictions, the IPL 2022-the 15th edition- in all probability, looks poised to chart a different path. With two new entrants and some infamous laggards finally showing some much-needed intent and purpose, viewers could expect a few surprises this time around. So, in this endeavour, let us take a close look at the three teams that can astonish everyone, including the cricket pundits, and ring in some novelties into the proceedings this season.
Gujarat Titans
Ably led by out-of-favour Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, the Gujarat franchise has already displayed enough chutzpah and swag by topping the IPL table so far this season. With five wins from six games they only need two or three wins to seal the berth in the playoffs. The credit for their consistent performance can largely be attributed to the skipper who has already scored a couple of useful half-centuries and marshalled his bowling resources, especially Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami etc, really well to lend the outfit an air of invincibility. “Winning without Hardik. Winning without Gill scoring a single run. This Gujarat Team is doing things that I never thought were possible with their resources,” ex India player Akash Chopra was effusive in his praise for the new kid on the IPL block. The Gujarat outfit has indeed astounded many with their performances so far this season.
Lucknow Super Giants
The other team to capture everyone’s imagination has been another debutant in the IPL: Lucknow Super Giants. The new team has been brilliantly guided by Team India’s white-ball deputy KL Rahul, who scored a scintillating century against Mumbai Indians the other day to help the Lucknow franchise pocket four wins from six games. With 8 points in their kitty, they only need to maintain the current tempo to make it to the playoffs this season. Apart from the batting potentials of Rahul, Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis, the new outfit has also benefitted immensely from the potent bowling attack comprising Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi and Mark Wood. So, it will be a setback of humongous proportions to not see them in the next stage of the IPL after an auspicious start to the new season.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
After starting on a sombre note, the Kane Williamson-led Hyderabad team has finally found its mojo this season by winning four matches on the trot. With the momentum they have gained in the last few matches, they have shown that they can go all the way in the current edition of the IPL. By quickly snapping up 8 points so far, the Hyderabad franchise in someways reminds everyone of the outfit that won the IPL in 2016. If their batting department is strengthened by the middle-order trio of Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and Rahul Tripathi, then their bowling responsibilities have been skillfully shouldered by the likes of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Umran Malik. The latter in the bowling department has been attracting a lot of attention with his fiery pace off late and the Sunrisers would want him to continue in the same vein in the games ahead to smoothly progress to the next level of the tournament. Hence, this team can also give a new spin to the one-dimensional event.
