2017 IPL: Australian Players to Watch
The acrimonious scenes witnessed during the India-Australia Test series notwithstanding, the players from down under are well followed in India. Especially during the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the tenth edition of this T20 extravaganza set to kick-off from April 5th, it’s time to put away the national identities and enjoy the cricket.
So who are those Aussies who will be followed more than the most? Which of the Australian players are better suited to make a mark this year? We look at the probable candidates.
Steve Smith – Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)
It wasn’t just a name change for this franchise; they even took a difficult decision of replacing MS Dhoni with Smith at the helm. Generally, decisions like this will evoke huge hue and cry but the cricketing sense behind this, settles the matter.
The Aussie captain has a huge task at hand to rally his team and continue his thirst for runs. More importantly, he has to bury the skirmishes from the Test series and get along well with the Indian superstars of his team – Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Ashwin.
‘Smith the captain’ is as important as ‘Smith the batsman’ for RPS and that makes him our top pick to look forward this season.
David Warner – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Even Warner will admit that he didn’t have a great outing in the just concluded Test series against India. But T20 is his forte and you can’t keep him away from action in this format. Last season saw a new dimension in Warner as the swashbuckler displayed his shrewd brain to lead them to a title.
Can he do an encore? It will be as much about winning the IPL as about reclaiming the lost aura for Warner. That could be ominous for all the opponents. SRH should make it to the semis but beyond that it would depend on how well Warner leads his charges.
Glenn Maxwell – Kings XI Punjab
For someone who’s branded as an ODI specialist, Maxwell has performed exceptionally well in the Test series. But now is the chance for him to showcase his captaincy skills as he gets to lead Kings XI in the IPL.
The side is talented but has always been an underachiever. Kings XI has a history of toying with captains midway through the season too! Maxwell though should worry about balancing his aggressive batting with sensible captaincy. Looking at the way he surprised critics with his performance in the Test matches, don’t count him out from doing an encore!
Odds
Smith has a great chance of finishing as RPS’s best batsman. At odds of $3.50 (William Hill) he is a value punt. Warner has odds of $2.25 (William Hill) backing him to be SRH’s best batsman while Maxwell is a long shot at odds of $4.50 (bet365) to be Kings XI’s top batsman.
TIP: Smith to be top RPS batsman – $2.25 at William Hill
TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
