Lead by Indian captain and wicketkeeper Dhoni, last seasons runner up are favourites to take IPL 2. Paid $1.55M for the services of Flintoff, and if fit, could perform well for the time he's with the side between England committments. The retirement of Hayden from the Australian side means he'll be for the duration. While Hussey seems to have pulled out of IPL altogether. Conditions should suit the 2 South Africans in the side as well.
Key Players: Hayden, Raina, Dhoni, Flintoff, Muralitharan
Ins and Outs: Acquired Flintoff for $1.55M, Thilan Thushara ($140K) and George Baily for $50K.
Batsmen
Matthew Hayden 37 year old opener who recently hung up his bat for Australia. Holds the high score record for an Australian in both tests an ODI. Third favourite to take top batting honours, and should go close if he completes the full series of games.
Michael Hussey Australia's Mr Cricket was ranked best ODI batsman in the world in 2006 and has averaged 56 in over 100 ODI. Currently out of form, the left hander may not play IPL 2 after recent press statements.
Suresh Raina Young Indian left hander who also bowls some useful right arm spin. Averages 35 in ODI and hit 61 not out in Twenty20. Could be one to watch and is the same price as Hayden to top the Chennai Super Kings batting.
Subramaniam Badrinath Fringe Indian domestic right hander with both bat and ball. Averages 36 with the bat in Twenty20.
George Bailey is a right hander who's plied hi trade in the Australian domestic leagues.
Murali Vijay Right hander who's one test for India saw him opening with Sehwag.
Abhinav Mukund Indian U-19 who's the youngest player in IPL. Averages 60 in first class games.
Arun Karthik Another young Indian right hander.
Ankit Gupta
Wicket Keepers
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain) Indian captain and ranked number 1 ODI batsmen in the world. Averages just under 50 in ODI and is on the 6th line in the betting to take top honours with the bat.
Parthiv Patel Young 5 foot nothing Indian backup keeper. Still managed 20 tests and 14 ODIs. Hard to see getting a game if Dhoni stays fit.
All Rounders
Andrew Flintoff The injury prone Englishman was top price auction player at $1.55M. Averages 32 with the bat in ODI, and a miserly 24 with his fast right hand deliveries. Top of the betting to be the most economic bowler in IPL 2. You could probably get a few bob on him winning the last in the pedalo.
Jacob Oram New Zealand all rounder. Another right handed bowler who bats south paw. Looks like he's pulled out of IPL2.
Albie Morkel South African all rounder and Twenty20 specialist. Home conditions should suit, and middle of the pack for tournaments top batting and bowling honours.
Thilan Thushara Sri Lankan short format specialist who's a bowling all rounder.
Napoleon Einstein Fuck me what a name this young Indian under 19er has. Buy him for his name alone.
Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan Domestic Indian bowling all-rounder. Bats at 11.
Ravichandran Ashwin Another young domestic Indian bowling all rounder.
Joginder Sharma Indian bowling all-rounder who's played 4 ODI.
Viraj Kadbe
Selvam Suresh Kumar
Shadab Jakati Indian domestic left hander and spin bowler.
Bowlers
Muttiah Muralitharan 36 year old Sri Lankan spinner who holds the record for most wickets in both tests and ODIs. One of the favourites to take the most wickets and be the most economical bowler.
Makhaya Ntini The first black South African test player. Averages 24 with his fast ball in over 172 ODIs. Playing at home, so conditions should suit. Lock your woman up though.
Manpreet Gony Indian right armer who chucks it down medium pace. Played 2 ODI.
Sudeep Tyagi Young Indian domestic player who's been in the team since inception. Didn't get a game last season.
Lakshmipathy Balaji Indian ODI medium fast right armer. Took the first hat trick in IPL 2008.
Palani Amarnath Fast Indian first classer.