Article By:Barend PrinsThe Indian Premier League is coming to South Africa and bringing along all its glitz and glamour, but do you really know your Rajasthan Royals from your Deccan Chargers?
It is rare that something that has received so much publicity, and carries with it so much excitement too, is still such an unknown quantity to the majority of the spectators that essentially have to keep the tournament afloat a mere three weeks before the opening ceremony.
In broad terms, the IPL is an eight-team Twenty20 tournament — created by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — with all the teams playing each other twice on a home-and-away basis.
At the end of the this round robin stage, the top four teams will advance to the knockout stages where two semifinals and a final will decide the eventual champions. (In essence, this is the same format that the domestic limited-overs competitions in SA follow.)
So, are there any differences then between the IPL and local tournaments?
The major difference between the IPL and other cricket tournaments are in the composition of the teams.
Instead of teams being selected on nationality, like 'regular' international tournaments are, the IPL follows a system where all the international players are auctioned to the highest bidder — literally! This works just like a regular auction, whilst restrictions on salaries ensure a level playing field.
Although the tournament is now being held in South Africa, certain restrictions regarding team compositions — as there was in the inaugural event — will ensure the IPL maintains a unique Indian flavour.
Franchises are allowed a maximum of 10 foreign players in the squad, whilst no more than four are allowed per starting XI, per match. Furthermore, each squad must contain at least eight local players of who at least two must be from the BCCI Under-22 pool.
Now to the eight competing teams...
Are you a Bangalore Royal Challengers fan, or did the Delhi Daredevils tickle your fancy? Or, did you back the Kolkata Knight Riders because David Hasselhoff was their brand ambassador?
Or, worse yet — shock-horror — don't you know who you will be supporting come next month?
Maybe our team-by-team guide can help you out!
Bangalore Royal Challengers:
The Bangolore Royal Challengers were one of the weaker teams during the inaugural IPL in 2008, winning just four of their league matches and ended up second from bottom. The BRC broke the bank in attempt to change their fortunes in 2009, signing Kevin Pietersen, who is expected to lead the side ahead of Rahul Dravid this time around.
SA Players: Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe and Dillon du Preez Other star players: Kevin Pietersen, Nathan Bracken, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Cameron WhiteCoach: Ray Jennings
Owner: Dr. Vijay Mallya
Chennai Super Kings:
Captained with a reasonable amount of success by Indian international captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings were the runners-up in 2008 after finishing third on the initial table. One major acquisition during the 2009 auction was England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff — adding vital balance to the team.
SA players: Albie Morkel, Makhaya NtiniOther star players: MS Dhoni, Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jacob OramCoach: Stephen Fleming
Owner: India Cements
Delhi Daredevils:
A fourth place finish on the log saw the Delhi Daredvils reach the semifinals in 2008 where they lost to eventual winners, the Rajasthan Royals. The Daredvils have secured the services of T20 specialist David Warner who, along with captain Virender Sehwag, are sure to wow South African audiences with their six-hitting abilities.
SA players: AB de VilliersOther star players: Virender Sehwag, Paul Collingwood, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Gautam Gambhir, Andrew McDonald, Glenn McGrath, Farveez Maharoof, Daniel Vettori, David WarnerCoach: Greg Shipperd
Owner: GMR Holdings
Kings XI Punjab:
The Kings XI Punjab finished second on the log in 2008, but could not replicate their good form in the initial stages to the knockouts and lost in the semifinals to the Super Kings. Lead by Punjab hero Yuvraj Singh, the undoubted star during the inaugural event was at the time unheralded Aussie Shaun Marsh, who has since established himself on the international stage proper.
SA players: NoneOther star players: Yuvraj Singh, Mahela Jayawardene, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Irfan Pathan, Kumar Sangakkara, Jerome TaylorCoach: Tom Moody
Owners: Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Karan Paul and Mohit Burman (Dabur)
Kolkata Knight Riders: Despite boasting some of the biggest names in the modern game, the Kolkata Knight Riders were the definite disappointments during the IPL in 2008, finishing sixth on the log and failing to make the play-offs. Captained by the 'Prince of Kolkata', Saurav Ganguly, in previously, the Knight Riders decided against having a fixed captain for this IPL season.
SA players: None Other star players: Saurav Ganguly, Ajantha Mendis, Brad Hodge, Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, David Hussey, Ishant Sharma, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul Coach: John Buchanan
Owners: Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jai Mehta
Mumbai Indians:
The 2008 Indian Premier League was a bit of a disaster for the Mumbai Indians, with captain Sachin Tendulkar suffering an injury, before stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh was suspended after his on-field row with Sree Sreesanth. South African star JP Duminy was their major acquisition during the 2009 action, while Kyle Mills and Mohammad Ashraful will add some balance to their side.
SA players: Jean-Paul Duminy, Ryan McLarenOther star players: Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Sanath Jayasuriya, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga, Kyle Mills, Mohammad AshrafulCoach: Lalchand Rajput
Owners: Reliance Industries Ltd
Deccan Chargers:Originally based in Hyderabad, the Deccan Chargers spent big money on some of the biggest hitters in the game in 2008, but their somewhat top-heavy team failed to impress and managed to win only two of their group games and finished bottom of the table. The Chargers seemed to have learnt their lesson and have added more depth to the squad for the 2009 event.
SA players: Herschelle Gibbs Other star players: Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Chaminda Vaas, Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, Scott Styris, VVS LaxmanCoach: Darren Lehman
Owners: Deccan Chronicle
Rajasthan Royals:The Rajasthan Royals were the undoubted surprise package of the 2008 IPL, finishing on top of the round robin table and then going on to win the tournament. The only team to have a player/coach, who also happens to be the only non-Indian captain taking part, Australian legend Shane Warne has led the Royals with aplomb.
SA players: Tyron Henderson, Morné Morkel, Graeme SmithOther star players: Shane Warne, Justin Langer, Munaf Patel,Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mohammad KaifCoach: Shane Warne
Owners: Emerging Media Group
