Top Players to watch out for in IPL 5

IPL, being the most exciting Twenty20 tournament in the calendar of domestic Indian cricket, provides a plethora of stars on show. While most of the IPL players are seasoned, there are a few ones looking to make a name. Here is the list of ten IPL players to watch out for during this coming season.

Chris Gayle

Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chris Gayle has been one starving cricketer, but not in the literal sense. With his ongoing dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board, the former West Indies captain has seen very little international cricket in the past years apart from the few Twenty20 stints as a freelance cricketers. He exploded on the scene in the fourth IPL season, when as a replacement player for Dirk Nannes, he set the ball rolling for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, notching up two centuries in a combative spree. One can expect more from the eager Gayle.

Sachin Tendulkar

Team: Mumbai Indians

Now that the pressure of hundred international centuries is behind him, one can expect an even more freewheeling from Mumbai Indians captain. Sachin Tendulkar will look to make amends of the absence of an IPL winners trophy on the Mumbai Indians mantle, with the renewed aspirations of the Mumbai Indians having won the Champions League Twenty20 2011. Tendulkar has certainly enjoyed his captaincy in the shorter format and with his batting being one of Mumbai Indians’ top heavy weapon, one can expect the diminutive genius to explode.

Mahela Jayawardene

Team: Delhi Daredevils

Mahela Jayawardene is riding the high waves. The reappointed captain of the Sri Lankan team, Jayawardene demonstrated his passion and flair for opening the innings during IPL’s previous stints with Kings XI, Punjab and the Kochi Tuskers, Kerala. With the Kochi team now terminated, the stylish batsman will have the opportunity to turn the fortunes of Delhi Daredevils towards for the maiden IPL win.

Richard Levi

Team: Mumbai Indians

Richard Levi of South Africa, brings to the game the desired excitement that is exemplary of today’s youth. Overlooked initially at the IPL 5 auctions, Levi has signed up for Mumbai Indians after he caught the eye of IPL franchisees when he plundered New Zealand for thirteen sixes en route to a fifty-five ball 117, in what was his only second Twenty20 international. With Andrew Symonds having retired, Mumbai Indians have found a talented young opener who could turn out to be an explosive in the company of Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar.

Daniel Christian

Team: Deccan Chargers

Daniel Christian comes highly recommended in Australian cricket circle as an explosive batsman and a useful all rounder, ideally made for the Twenty20 game. Although, Christian is yet to light up the IPL, he will have his chance with Deccan Chargers in the IPL 5 season.Undoubtedly his services as an overseas cricketer will come very handy as the Deccan Chargers have tasted little success apart from their lone IPL victory in the IPL 2 season.

Brett Lee

Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

Having restricted himself to the shorter formats of the game, Australia’s bowling spearhead, Brett Lee, has a short shelf with the IPL forming a key part of his cricket interests. Playing in his home away from home, Lee has taken a liking with Indian conditions and having experienced a season with Kolkata Knight Riders, he is looking forward to make larger contributions in his four over stints for the team that was on the upswing last year.

Kieron Pollard

Team: Mumbai Indians

The West Indies all rounder was retained by Mumbai Indians for a good reason after having bought him at an expensive price at the IPL 4 silent tie breaker. The tall, blistering run scorer can also prove to be a nifty bowler which makes him an invaluable member in the all rounders list of Twenty20 specialist players. One of the freelancing cricketers, the towering West Indian can be expected to bring his money’s worth to the table.

Ross Taylor

Team: Rajasthan Royals

Ross Taylor makes the switch from Royal Challengers Bangalore to the Rajasthan Royals. As the exalted captain of the New Zealand team, Taylor returns with new zest to the IPL. The specialist number three batsman is all set to give his best shot in the upcoming season of IPL.

Angelo Matthews

Team: Pune Warriors

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Matthews is an invaluable all-rounder who can lend depth to the batting order, providing an additional bowling option. A finisher and match winner, Matthews has shown an appetite for tough situations, being a resilient batsman to fit rather nicely with the Warriors tag. Pune Warriors have had their share of struggle already in the inaugural year with their ‘off and on’ performance. Now they have great expectations with Matthews, particularly when Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of the season.

Shaun Tait

Team: Rajasthan Royals

The Australian fast bowler can be a nasty customer with the ball and a match winner in his own right against the destructive nature of batsmen in Twenty20. Having proved his value in the IPL, Tait may have more work on his hands, having retired from Test cricket and limited himself to the short format. With previous issues of mental and physical exhaustion, Rajasthan Royals would do well to nurse this gem of a bowler who could prove very handy indeed as Rajasthan Royals looks up to replicate their success from the inaugural IPL season.

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