IPL 2022: The Favourites to Win the Trophy

Given the recent IPL 2022 Mega Auction, the teams are now looking good and raring to go. Even the league’s newer teams, GT and LSG have bagged themselves some super players! However, given the extended arrangements of the 10 league franchises, questions have arisen over each team’s starting lineup. Cricket bettors will be studying the strengths and weaknesses of all teams to see where the money should be going.

There is a real limited availability of top calibre players now – so this means that every single team has its weaker links. Even the biggest and best teams such as CSK and MI have their weak points that might be exploited, despite their solid retentions. So, going into the new season, every single team has a chink in its armour.

Throughout all of this and taking all of these factors into consideration, we have started looking at those with the smallest chinks and those with the biggest strengths – the teams we think could win the 2022 IPL.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

The Chennai Super Kings of this season looks to be a very similar prospect to last season. Management has made efforts to get players that fit in exactly with their current playing style. Just as with the IPL 2021, the yellow army is a team with both depth and resources. Overall, they have a squad with 8 all-rounders.

Let’s take a look at their batters. Players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway return to their previous opening combination. Then, below there are floaters like Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali, who are absolutely perfect for the middle passage of play. Then, they have extra firepower from the players like Jadeja and Shivam Dube.

Beneath them, there are the team’s bowling all-rounders like DJ Bravo and Deepak Chahar, who elongate the batting. So, to conclude, our defending champions have a pretty dynamic batting order – very much reflecting last season.

Then, we look at bowling – and the team has done some decent shopping this season. We are expecting regulars such as DJ Bravo and Deepak Chahar to take the helm and bowl in death overs. Looking at the spinners, they have Mitchell Santner alongside the mystery spin of Maheesh Theekshana. With regards to their overseas players, they have the pacey Adam Milne with the extra backup from Chris Jordan.

One factor that may affect the side is Dhoni’s decision to step back as CSK Captain. He is considered by many to be one of India’s most successful captains and has been the team’s fearless leader since the inception of the IPL back in 2008. Straight after his resignation as captain, Ravinder Jadeja was announced as his replacement – the new CSK Captain and he has big boots to fill. However, Dhoni will still play a key role in the team, supporting the new captain.

It will be interesting to see exactly what this new captaincy will bring – but for now, as he is still a key player, we expect CSK to remain highly competitive.

So, when we look at both the balance of the team and its resources, a lot is going on for CSK. Although they face issues such as the current injury being nursed by Deepak Chahar and the team’s new captain, aside from this, the defending champions seem to have what it takes to win their fifth IPL title.

LUCKNOW SUPERGIANTS

Already this is a squad that has surprised with some very decent signings. This franchise, along with the help of some very experienced support staff has a very solid squad. Unlike some of its competitors, they have a lower-middle order that is very well stacked. In fact, just like last season’s winners, Lucknow has the presence of 8 all-rounders.

When looking at their batting, they have an opening pair of Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul that looks solid. They even have Manish Pandey as their number three – another solid player. Aside from them, they also boast players such as Hooda, Stoinis and Krunal Pandya – also decent performers. In at number 7 is the sizable Jason Holder, the icing on the cake. Given the strength of the batting squad, they certainly have enough to challenge the champions.

Their bowling, however, isn’t quite as deep beyond their frontline players. Given the Indian pace attack, Avesh Khan doesn’t really have a great backup. The vital cogs in the machinery will be Holder, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan and Mark Wood.

So, if LSG can take advantage of its full availability of front-line players, this could lead to their very first IPL win

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

The third team we look at this season are the Royals, who have created a very settled squad. Unlike previous seasons, they have a very competent lower middle-order. In the mega auction, the team also strengthened its spin bowling. However, unlike the other two teams, they have just five all-rounders.

When looking at the team as a whole, their young guns, Padikkal and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the openers. Then, below them, this pink army can offer up its two big superstars – Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson. Then, even in the lower-middle order they still have some pretty explosive options including Jimmy Neesham, Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag. Their only possible weakness might be their fifth bowling option of Parag and Neesham together.

The team has some solid bowlers, especially with regards to spinners – with veterans such as R Ashwin and Yuzi Chahal. In terms of pace, they have players such as Prasidth Krishna and Trent Boult. They also have the option of Navdeep Saini to join, either as their third pacer or replacement.

Aside from the main players, they also have names such as Daryl Mitchell, Obed McCoy and Rassie van der Dussen who could help them claim their second IPL win.

There will certainly be some stiff competition this year, and cricket betting fans will have their work cut out pegging down the winner of the IPL 2022.