IPL 2024 Rankings Predictions

Credit: Hindustan Times

10.Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings have a solid lineup for IPL 2024, with big overseas players like Johnny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Kagiso Rabada. However, the Indian part of the side is weak due to the lack of experienced Indian batters (other than Shikhar Dhawan). Additionally, the Indian bowling unit looks inexperienced led by Arshdeep Singh and the newly bought Harshal Patel. It will be interesting to see if these youngsters can step up to the challenge and defy expectations.

9. Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals biggest weakness last year was the absence of their primary captain Rishabh Pant, who was out due to a serious car crash in December 2022. Nevertheless, Pant is set to make his return to cricket with the Capitals at the start of IPL 2024, as a specialist batter for now. Their purchase of Kumar Kushagra will likely be their top wicket-keeping option for the season, and it will be interesting to see how he fares with the Capitals. Despite these new additions, the batting lineup seems weak as players such as Prithvi Shaw, Harry Brook, and Lalit Yadav are yet to make a significant impact in the IPL. If the Capitals do win many games this season, it will likely be due to their bowling lineup of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar.

8. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore might just have the best batting lineup and the worst bowling lineup. Batting wise, the top order looks impressive with experienced players like Kohli, du Plessis, and Maxwell mixed with Indian players like Rajat Patidar (who missed the last season due to injury), Anuj Rawat, and Mahipal Lomror. However, the biggest problem for RCB this season will undoubtedly be their bowling. Since 3 of their overseas spots are used up by du Plessis, Maxwell, and Green, there is only one spot left for one of Alzarri Joseph, Reece Topley, and Will Jacks. Other than Mohammed Siraj, the Indian bowling lineup looks poor, specifically their lack of quality spinners. Perhaps letting go of Wanindu Hasaranga and Shabaz Ahmed ahead of the auction was not the smartest idea from RCB management. Regardless, be sure to see some high scoring games when the Royal Challengers Bangalore are playing this year.

7. Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans made it to the finals in the first two years under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. But Hardik is now gone to the Mumbai Indians, so Shubman Gill is the new captain of the Titans. To add to this, Mohammad Shami (2023 purple cap holder) is undergoing surgery and out for the entirety of IPL 2024. Mohit Sharma has not taken a single wicket since the last IPL, and Rashid Khan is currently injured and may be doubtful for part of IPL 2024. Additionally, the batting lineup seems very reliant on Shubman Gill but expect some firepower from young Indian batsmen like Shahrukh Khan, Abhinav Manohar, and Sai Sudharshan. Gujarat’s fate in IPL 2024 will heavily depend on Gill’s ability to lead an injury-struck team missing some of its key players.

6. Lucknow Super Giants

Prior to the mini-auction this year, LSG traded out Avesh Khan to get Devdutt Padikkal. This trade might mean that captain KL Rahul could bat in the middle order which would add some stability to the batting lineup. Their batting lineup looks stronger than ever now backed up by Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis as their finishers. Their spinners of Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya are strong and in-form, but the main area of worry would be fast bowling. With Mark Wood pulling out of IPL 2024 due to workload issues, LSG will hope their fast bowlers of Mohsin Khan, Shivam Mavi, and Naveen-ul-Haq will perform well to ensure LSG can win their games. Overall, LSG has a solid team, but their under-experienced fast bowlers will have to step up if they want to make the playoffs.

5. Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders will come into IPL 2024 with the return of their original captain Shreyas Iyer (who was injured for the entirety of 2023 season) and under the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir. Kolkata has a strong Indian batting unit of Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer to form the bulk of the top order, with Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh to play the finisher roles. Kolkata’s spin bowling is also strong with Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, and Varun Chakravarthy. The only area where KKR might feel a little weak is their pace bowling, but hopefully their 25 crore expense on Mitchell Starc pays off in that field. If the Indian fast bowlers of Chetan Sakariya and Harshit Rana perform up to standards, then KKR will be a force to be reckoned with.

4. Rajasthan Royals

Almost all of Rajasthan Royals’s players seem to be in outstanding form right now. Jaiswal with 2 double centuries against England, Buttler in the SA20, Riyan Parag in the SMAT, Chahal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and the list goes on. Rajasthan has a strong batting lineup and strong bowling lineup with overseas players covering the Indian weaknesses seamlessly. Despite the lack of true all-rounders, Rajasthan should qualify for the playoffs should their players continue their form. Rajasthan’s fate in the IPL 2024 will depend on Samson’s captaincy and use of the impact player rule.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad ended up bottom of the table in IPL 2023, and have retained largely the same team. But some smart auction buys have ensured that they still have one of the favorite teams before the start of the tournament. SRH’s overseas players may be the best of the league with big names like Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Pat Cummins, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Travis Head. In fact, their overseas department is so strong that big names like Glenn Philipps and Marco Jansen will likely sit out many games due to the sheer strength of SRH overseas unit. However, Hyderabad may be held back by the form of their Indian players. Players like Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, and Umran Malik have serious talent, but their recent form has been on-and-off. Regardless, youngsters like Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar will have big roles to play as the key all-rounders for SRH. Overall, SRH’s fate depends on bringing together the individually talented players as a team under a strong captain.

2.Chennai Super Kings

The previous champions came to the auction and somehow made an even stronger team obtaining key players like Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra. Their batting lineup looks very strong with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube in sublime form and Sameer Rizvi looking like a promising finisher. The spin bowling looks decent led by Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana if he makes the playing XII. The pace bowling looks powerful with Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Matheesha Pathirana as the starters. One area of worry may be their captain MS Dhoni and his fitness to play throughout the season, though his captaincy will be necessary to the team. Finally, there are many injury scares for the Super Kings as Conway, Ravindra, Mitchell, Mustafizur, and Dube are all currently injured but they should be ready for the first game on March 22.

1. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai has undoubtedly one of the strongest squads of IPL 2024, thanks primarily to their Indian batting unit comprised of Rohit, Ishan Kishan, SKY, Tilak, and Hardik Pandya (their new captain), leaving space for Nehal Wadhera and Tim David to play the finisher roles. Mumbai’s pace attack looks especially strong after two steals at the auction of Gerald Coetzee and Dilshan Madhushanka to complement Jasprit Bumrah. One area of worry for Mumbai last year was spin, which Piyush Chawla led superbly, but he may not display the same form he did last year. Fortunately, MI picked up Mohammad Nabi for cheap and could add him to the team whenever needed while adding some more firepower to the batting. Overall, if Hardik can lead his former team well, filling the gaps wherever needed, then 2024 could be Mumbai’s sixth trophy.