Deccan Chargers
Strength: The reigning champions have a top order capable of putting any bowling attack to the sword. In Gilchrist, Gibbs and Symonds they can set or chase massive scores. They also do not have any other real superstars but rather have experience in abundance with the likes of Vaas, Laxman and Styris joining the aforementioned players.
Weakness: The pressure of being the reigning champions might get to them whilst the middle order is not as strong and could falter if the top order fails.Prediction: 3rd
Bangalore Royal Challengers
Strength: Last year's runners up have a quality batting line up which boasts the variety of Kallis, Morgan, Pandey, Uthappa, Kohli, Boucher, White, Dravid and later on Pietersen and Taylor. With three wins already, a balance with all this talent looks to have been found.
Weakness: With so many quality internationals, its going to be difficult fitting four of Kallis, Pietersen, Boucher, Van Der Merwe, Steyn, Morgan, Taylor and White into one team.Prediction: 1st
Delhi Daredevils
Strength: A top four of Gambhir, Sehwag, Dilshan and De Villiers is enough to scare any opponent whilst the dangerous Warner is also is the background waiting to get his chance. If the batting does click, they'll definately get into the semi's. Whether that happens, remains to be seen.
Weakness: The bowling is a big concern. With Parnell now injured, you get the feeling Dirk Nannes is the only real bowling threat for them.
Prediction: 6th
Chennai Super Kings
Strength: A lot will depend on Matthew Hayden, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Having made the semi's in both previous seasons, a lot will be expected of them. Experience is also something in their favour, with the likes of Murali, Morkel, Oram and Kemp on their side.
Weakness: The injury to MS Dhoni is a massive loss, but you get the feeling that Matthew Hayden carries this team very often and if teams can contain him while Dhoni is injured, they'll have a very good chance of beating the superkings.
Prediction: 4th
Kolkata Knight Riders
Strength: They have many match winners in Shane Bond, Chris Gayle, Angelo Matthews and Brendon McCullum. Any of these guys can turn a match on its head, just like Matthews showed in the first game.
Weakness: Having failed to deliver in the previous editions and a popular onwer, the team will have to deliver. That pressure alone could count against them.Prediction: 5th
Mumbai Indians
Strength: A team filled with stars, from both home and abroad, almost their entire team is capable of doing something special. From the experience of Tendulkar and Jayasuriya, to the power of Pollard and Tiwary, and the skill of Harbajan and Zaheer Khan, add to that Dwayne Bravo and Lasith Malinga and you realise why they are amongst the favourites.
Weakness: I don't see them having any real weakness except may be the pressure of doing well with so many good players.
Prediction: 2nd
Kings XI Punjab
Strength: Quality international stars such as Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Bopara and the talented Rusty Theron hold the key for this team. Theron showed in his debut why he is so highly regarded in SA, while Yuvraj Singth and Irfan Pathan are two good allrounders in this format.
Weakness: Apart from the six players mentioned, they do not have a balanced team in my opinion and this will count against them.
Prediction: 7th
Rajastan Royals
Strength: A team not filled with many stars apart from Warne and Yusuf Pathan, and with Graeme Smith injured, the pressure may be off this team. This may help the younger ones, as there are talented players like Faiz Fazal and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala who could start to flourish.
Weakness: Both the batting and the bowling is a bit short of winning enough games in my opinion. Not enough quality in the squad and the purchases of certain players deserves to be questioned.
Prediction: 8th
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