Will the ‘Mumbai Indians’, led by the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna' award winner and Team India’s opener in all the three formats (Tests, ODIs as well as T20s) Rohit Gurunath Sharma, be able to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a record fifth time in 2020?  On and off the record, experts, as well as cricket-crazy fans, concede that Mumbai Indians is probably the only team that poses a serious challenge to the star-studded Chennai Super Kings (CSK) led by the charismatic MS Dhoni!

Let’s dwell deep into the composition of ‘Mumbai Indians’, well-served by Neeta Ambani, a commerce graduate-turned-entrepreneur and wife of Mukesh Ambani, the richest Asian and the sixth richest individual in the world.COVID-19 pandemic has pushed IPL, undoubtedly the world’s most-watched first-class cricketing event, from India to the UAE where active corona cases pale in comparison to the ever-growing cases in India.  Sensing the golden opportunity, UAE stepped in to host the 13th edition of IPL which commences on 19th September.

COVID-19 pandemic has pushed IPL, undoubtedly the world’s most-watched first-class cricketing event, from India to the UAE where active corona cases pale in comparison to the ever-growing cases in India.  Sensing the golden opportunity, UAE stepped in to host the 13th edition of IPL which commences on 19th September. With three titles in its kitty, CSK’s next only to MI which has won the title four times. CSK’s successful run is all the more special because it has the most number of players in mid-thirties. Ridiculed as the team of ‘veterans’, CSK silenced its detractors and made them its ardent fans by faring ever so successfully.

With each member performing when it matters most, CSK is undoubtedly a huge force to reckon with. The camaraderie between players of various countries in CSK is unmatched, with all of them uniting under the inimitable MSD. Here are a few more interesting anecdotes about CSK….

For some reasons, the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has somehow not lived up to expectations thus far in IPL history. Led by Team India captain Virat Kohli, Bangalore-based RCB is determined to win the elusive trophy at least this year

With superstars such as Kohli and AB de Villiers in its ranks, RCB still enjoys huge popularity among its loyal fans despite not winning the trophy once since 2008. RCB fans expect a turn-around in fortunes in 2020; let’s see whether their dreams of a maiden IPL title will be realized. Tainted industrialist Vijay Mallya formed RCB at a cost of USD 111.6 million in 2008, making it the second most-expensive team after CSK.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is probably the only team among the IPL franchisees which is equally good in all departments: batting, bowling and fielding. Let’s dwell briefly into the journey of the past champions in IPL thus far.

SRH was formed only in 2013 after Deccan Chargers team was wound up. In its 7-year sojourn in IPL from 2013-2019, SRH had qualified for five times for the play-off stage, including making the finals on two occasions. SRH beat RCB to clinch the trophy in the 2016 finals while it lost to CSK in 2018 to finish up as runner-up.

Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) is probably the only time in the history of IPL which has constantly been under-performing, season after season; let’s look into its not-so-impressive sojourn from 2008.

IPL-13 is to kick-start this Saturday (19th Sep.) wherein last year’s finalists MI and CSK would lock horns. 2008’s inaugural IPL had Delhi boasting huge names such as Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, Kevin Peterson, etc. in its ranks. However, ironically enough, the renamed Delhi Capitals remains the only team which has never made the finals all these years.

DC has regularly lost big names (such as Andre Russel and David Warner) during pre-tournament auctions who have been shining for other teams. The loss meant that DC finished last on most occasions (2011, 2013, 2014 & 2018) and failed to make the play-off stage for six years from 2013-2018.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), one of the most well-balanced teams in IPL, has always flattered to deceive; despite its potential, it has not performed admirably. Let's look into the team’s past record and present chances.

KXIP’s legion of fans hoping that the team would turn the tide around in its favour by winning the tourney this year.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), jointly owned by Bollywood 'Badshah' Shah Rukh Khan and his heroine of many films Juhi Chawla, had won the IPL trophy twice (2012 & 2014) but hasn't fared well since then.  Let's explore the possibilities of KKR winning its third title this year.

Led by Tamil Nadu's wicket-keeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, KKR has always been a star-studded team with a variety of stars from various international teams. Brendon McCullum's blistering 158 for KKR in the very first match of the inaugural IPL tourney in 2008 still remains the highest individual score in IPL history.  KKR was actually the only team which failed to qualify for the play-off stages during the first three editions of IPL (2008-10). 2009 was a nightmarish year for KKR which lost 9 of its 14 matches.  KKR took a few years to recuperate and won the title twice in three years i.e. in 2012 and 2014.