Indian Premier League - IPL / Andrew Hughes / 07 March 2010 /

With the IPL extravaganza just four days away, Andrew Hughes previews the eight teams who will be taking part, starting with last year's runners-up, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by veteran spinner Anil Kumble

Performance last time

Though they won their first game under new captain Kevin Pietersen, they flopped in the next four and looked to be going nowhere. But when Anil Kumble took over the captaincy, he and Ray Jennings oversaw a dramatic change in fortunes. They won seven of their next nine games and surprised the fancied Chennai Super Kings in the semi-finals, before losing out in a close match with Deccan Chargers in the final.

Players in/out

The Royal Challengers bought England's Eoin Morgan at the player auction. Aussie leg spinning all-rounder Steven Smith, Indian under-19 captain Ashok Meneeria and former ICL batsmen S Sriram have also been added since last year, but veteran seam bowler Nathan Bracken is no longer on their books.

Player Availability

Kevin Pietersen (after 24/03)
Cameron White (after 13/03)
Ross Taylor (after 31/03)
Jesse Ryder is unlikely to feature, due to injury

Captain

Anil Kumble

Key Player

Jacques Kallis. A colossus at the top of the innings where he can attack or consolidate, he is the lynchpin of an impressive batting line-up and the man whose wicket is most prized by opponents.

Strengths

After the tribulations of 2008 and their poor start last time, they have become a settled team and under the leadership duo of Kumble and Jennings, they have learnt how to win. They have one of the best batting line-ups in the tournament and are blessed with multiple spin bowling options, something that proved very useful on last year's worn South African wickets and is likely to prove so again in India.

Weaknesses

Last year, the fielding was not always as lively as it could have been, thanks to the presence of one or two cumbersome veterans. And though it may seem strange to cite as a weakness, the strength of the overseas contingent brings its own problems. Trying to find a way to incorporate Kallis, Ross Taylor, Kevin Pietersen, Cameron White, Mark Boucher, Eoin Morgan, Dale Steyn and Roelof van der Merwe will be a test of management.

Prospects

Very good. Eoin Morgan's arrival should compensate for the absence of Jesse Ryder and they have strength in every department. If they can find their best team and if the Indian youngsters like Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey continue to develop, there is every chance of the Royal Challengers going one better this year at generous odds of [7.8]

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