Indian Premier League 3 (IPL) got underway with lots of fireworks at D Y Patil stadium in Mumbai on March 12, 2010, and this means lots and lots of cricketing action from stars around the world! This year IPL has gone to another league with a tie-up with Youtube.com.
Also, some new faces have come on board in Kieron Pollard and this means more fun and thrill in this edition of IPL. We at Wittysparks thought of capturing some key players from each team who make or break a game. Also, you could catch the videos of IPL matches on Youtube and WittySparks too!
On this page
Chennai Super Kings
Mathew Hayden – This left-hander might have retired from international cricket but he sure does mean business in this edition of IPL with some hard-hitting swashbuckling action.
MS Dhoni – India’s captain cool would have his work cut out to ensure that his team reaches the final of this year’s IPL. The crowd is all set to be treated to scores of sixes and piercing boundaries from this man’s blade.
Makhaya Ntini – This speedster from South Africa would be rearing to go and rattle the batsmen’s stumps with some charged-up bowling. His athleticism both on and off the field would charge his team members.
Muttiah Muralitharan – This “Magician from Matara” might be nearing the end of his international career but he sure does have few tricks up his sleeve to flummox batsmen even today.
Darkhorse
Suresh Kumar Raina
Suresh Raina could be one of the dark horses for Chennai Super Kings. The left-hand batsmen could render solidity to the middle order by packing power-packed batting coupled with hard-hit heaves over the boundaries in the middle order.
Deccan Chargers
Herschelle Gibbs – Gibbs could be a vital cog in the batting wheel of Deccan Chargers. An accomplished batsman, he could take bowling apart with his stroke play on his day. However, his mercurial display could be a cause for worry. So this batsman comes across as a double edge sword for his team!
Pragyan Ojha – This left-arm spinner has certainly come off age in the last two editions of IPL with his wily leg-spin. Gifted with guile and sound cricketing acumen, he comes across as more than a mere utility cricketer in the side.
Adam Gilchrist – “Gillyâ”, one of the mainstays of the Charger’s batting attack, he can tear into any bowing side with some snappy cuts, pulls, and slogs. With Deccan Chargers looking to retain their IPL crown, Gilchrist’s contribution would matter for sure!
Andrew Symonds – Symonds’s all-around capabilities have already begun to come across as a threat to the opposition who would love to see his back early in the innings. A mighty hitter, Symonds could clear the fence by a long way with his brute force. An athletic fielder, Symonds would be one of the key players in the Deccan Charger’s outfit.
Dark Horse
VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman could be the surprise package in IPL 3 for Deccan Chargers as he takes the role of the aggressor and sheds his image of the classy batsman. For this virtuoso with the bat, it might be more of forcing and uncharacteristic shots which fans might be seeing this time but all’s well as the runs keep coming.
Delhi Daredevils
Gautam Gambhir – Gautam Gambhir would be captaining the Delhi Daredevils and the additional responsibility would add a new flavor to this blaster. A very effective left-hand batsman, he would be looking to dent the opposition with his aggressive walk-the-down shots along with his usual off and on-side onslaught.
Virender Sehwag – After relinquishing captaincy, this marauder from Najafgarh would be looking to leave a lasting impression with his clinical cuts and hits to the boundary on the minds of his fans.
Tillakaratne Dilshan – The firebrand opener from Sri Lanka would be a treat to watch on his day. A brisk scoring rate through a flurry of shots makes him a dangerous customer. His all-rounder capabilities as a fielder and with the ball make him a valuable asset for the team.
Dirk Nannes -This speedster would be spearheading the DareDevils’ bowling attack and would be looking to rattle a few stumps.
Dark Horse
AB de Villiers
AB De Villiers with his swashbuckling way of playing would be looking to enthrall the audiences around the country and unsettle oppositions too!
Kings XI Punjab
Kumar Sangakkara – The “Prince” would be leading Kings XI in this edition of IPL. A calm demeanor and aggressive thinking and fantastic left-hand batsman make Kumar a force to reckon with.
Yuvraj Singh – India’s southpaw prince might have lost his form temporarily but would be raring to have a crack at the opposition with his lusty blows and clean hitting. His electrifying fielding would certainly raise the spirits of his teammates on the field.
Ravi Bopara – Ravi Bopara at the top of the order would be looking to take the bowlers to the cleaners with some powerful hitting.
Dark Horse
Irfan Pathan – The beleaguered poster boy of India, Pathan would be looking to send a strong message to the selectors and his countrymen by displaying strong all-round abilities with the bowl as well as with the bat.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Brad Hodge – Hodge’s presence would certainly boost the batting might of the Knight Riders who would be striving to improve their performance in this edition of the IPL.
Owais Shah – A solid batsman, Owais Shah would certainly look to make the opposition bowlers toil hard with his strong batting skills.
Ishant Sharma – The tall and lanky paceman from India would be looking to regain some of his bite and pace in this edition of IPL by bowling his heart out and knocking the opposition over.
Dark Horse
Angelo Mathews – Angelo Mathews in the initial encounters has proved that he has come off age and is ready to shoulder the responsibilities for his team. A valuable all-rounder, his skills would be needed by Knight Riders to make it to the finals of this year’s IPL.
Mumbai Indians
Dwayne Bravo – Bravo would be joining his teammates in the latter part of the tournament. His athleticism and superb all-around capabilities with both bat as well as the ball would come across as a potential for most of the oppositions in IPL 3.
Sanath Jayasuriya – This old warhorse still for sure has some cricket left in him and he has already shown that age cannot hold him back when it comes to competing with youngsters in the IPL. His powerful forearms can still swing the bat with enough force to clear the boundaries with ease!
Sachin Tendulkar – Fresh from a string if superb performances with the bat, Tendulkar would be riding on the success of the recent knocks and would look to carry forward the momentum in the IPL.
Abhishek Nayar – Nayar made his presence felt in the last two editions of IPL with some blazing shots through the off and on the side. A good fielder, his contribution in the middle order would be vital for the team.
Lasith Malinga – Lasith Malinga has emerged as one of the most effective and deceptive bowlers in recent times. With his slinging action, he can generate pace easily
Dark Horse
Kieron Pollard – This international star from the West Indies has been one of the prized wins for this season. Reckoned for his bowling and all-around talent in this form of cricket, cricket lovers would look forward to some exciting cricket from this player.
Rajasthan Royals
Shane Warne – Warne may have retired from international cricket but he sure has a trick or two up his sleeve with the ball to bamboozle the opposition! An intense and committed cricketer, he would be looking to take his team to the pinnacle of success like the first edition. And given the start that the Royals have had in this season, Warn’s task would be cut out for sure.
Graeme Smith – Smith’s prowess with the bat up the order would be dearly needed to make inroads into the opposition’s plans. The Royals would need his safe hands in the slip cordon and solid batting skills.
Dimitri Mascarenhas – A utility player, Mascarenhas could light up the ground with some lusty blows on his day!
Dark Horse
Yusuf Pathan – Yusuf Pathan in the recent matches has proved what an asset he is to the team. A solid batsman who can clear the fence with towering hits, he is equally effective with the ball with his slow spin. Any side would cherish to have a player like Yusuf Pathan in their squad for he is a potential match-winner!
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Jacques Kallis – One of the star performers for Royal Challengers, his all-around abilities would be instrumental in Royal Challengers’ success in the IPL.
Rahul Dravid – Rahul “The Wall” Dravid, with his contemporary style of batting suited for T20 format would be one of the cornerstones for this edition of IPL. Vastly experienced and quick to switch gears at any point in time, this IPL would be the platform for him to explode.
Dale Steyn – Steyn is currently World’s No.1 bowler. He would be looking to carry forward his form with fiery spells of bowling.
Dark Horse
Ross Taylor – Ross Taylor in the last two editions of the IPL proved his value with some rocking performance with the bat that helped the side reach the finals of IPL. An aggressive batsman, he would be rearing to unleash his strokes on the opposition this time.
We shall keep updating this space as IPL3 progresses with lots of videos and activities, so watch this space!
