Related Links : Indian Premier League – 1 | Indian Premier League – 2
The first IPL was always going to be full of kinks and teething problems. The second was never going to quite on track because it was played in South Africa so there is alot to look forward to with the third edition of the tournament. By this stage, teams should know what works and more importantly what doesn’t. At least you would hope that they know this.
The Kolkata Knight Riders should be experts about what doesn’t work. The star-studded side has been an abject failure and the centre of a lot of ridicule. They have dispensed with the services of coach John Buchanan and replaced him with Dav Whatmore. It will be interesting to see how this move works. Wasim Akram will be there as a consultant which you think is a great move. If anyone would have been a fantastic Twenty20 cricketer it would have been Wasim Akram. Cricket betting isn’t sure what to make of the new and improved Knight Riders.
In other coaching news, Robin Singh will take the reins at Mumbai. He coached Deccan Chargers in the first IPL and will be trying to bring some success to the Mumbai side. With Jonty Rhodes and Shaun Pollock also in the coaching squad, there is a strong South African flavour to the team. The side has never finished higher than fifth and will be looking to try and rectify that.
The next IPL auction is in January and that should once again be very interesting. It will be interesting to see if the teams have learned anything from the first two auctions. For the most part, players were overpaid and the best ones were those who slipped under the radar.
You can bet there is going to be a stampede to try and sign up the members of the Trinidad and Tobago team. Everyone loved them especially the big-hitting Kieron Pollard. After his performances in the Champions League he can name his price.
The same thing could also apply to the NSW cricketers who while were more successful weren’t as popular as their Caribbean counterparts.
Some players such as Michael Clarke have never played in the IPL. Will this be the year that he makes his maiden appearance? It remains to be seen.
The first game will see Deccan take on the Knight Riders on March 10. That is drawing ever closer. After 55 matches there will be two semi-finals followed by a final which will be taking place on April 25. Once again it should be one of the highlights of the cricketing year.
David Wiseman writes for this blog. He also writes about tennis betting.