AAKASH CHOPRA OPRA

Indian Premier League has entered its 11th year and has started showing signs of maturity. This year’s mega-auction proved that there’s no room for vanity, reputations and emotions anymore.

The snub to Malinga and to some degree, Gayle, showed the cruel side of franchise cricket that’s ruled by cold numbers. And it’s for this reason that all teams, with an exception of KKR, are looking equally strong. Unlike the past few seasons, it’s almost impossible to call the final four at the outset.

TIGHTER SQUADS

It seems that the focus of this season’s auction was to put together an enviable first XI — a team that was capable of winning the trophy, and to be fair, most teams have succeeded too.

Cost per player for the key players went up manifold, which in turn led to less money available for buying their replacements, if need be.

Only Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad were smart enough to acquire a reasonably strong bench and that’s why even after losing Warner, SRH aren’t too poorly placed. Most other teams are relying on their key players for not just finding form but also, remaining fit throughout the tournament.

KKR happen to be the only team that might struggle to put out even a formidable first XI in all conditions.

BOWLERS TO THE FORE

Since the inception of T20, it was widely believed to be a format for batsmen.

After all, you had the luxury of