IPL 2021: From Virat Kohli to Sam Curran — key players to watch

Top players from around the world have gathered for the 14th Indian Premier League, which starts on Friday for a 52-day Twenty20 extravaganza played in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here are the big names as seven sides attempt to halt Mumbai Indians winning for a third straight year

Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore): The India captain and prolific batsman is pivotal to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s hopes of winning a maiden IPL title. He led his team to an improved showing last year with 466 runs in 15 matches as Bangalore made the play-offs in the United Arab Emirates. But with critics, including former India opener Gautam Gambhir, suggesting there needs to be a changing of the guard at Bangalore, ‘King’ Kohli, who said he will open the batting in T20 internationals and in the IPL, will be determined to shine ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals): The England all-rounder has proved his worth across all formats and his form with bat and ball will be crucial as the inconsistent Rajasthan strive to follow up their inaugural IPL triumph in 2008. Royals, who will be captained by India’s Sanju Samson this season, finished bottom of the eight-team table last year, with Stokes only joining the team late due to his late father’s illness. He scored 285 runs, including an unbeaten 107, in eight matches for a team that ran hot and cold. Royals’ new director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara believes Stokes is “exactly the type of player any side would want”.

Steve Smith (Delhi Capitals): A new start awaits Australia’s Steve Smith after he was bought by Delhi Capitals for $300,000 in this year’s auction following his release from Rajasthan Royals. Smith, who captained Royals last year, could find it tough to make the starting XI in a power-packed Delhi line-up including skipper Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Shimron Hetmyer. But coach Ricky Ponting insists Smith, a prolific top-order batsman who has amassed 2,333 runs in 95 IPL matches, will be hungry to perform in a T20 World Cup year.

Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals): The Royals broke the bank for the South African all-rounder in the IPL auction as the 33-year-old became the most expensive player in IPL history at $2.25 million. Morris, who has claimed 80 wickets and scored 551 runs in 70 IPL games, admitted the price “blew my mind”. “There is a little bit of added pressure, but the pressure that you get from a price tag doesn’t affect you on a cricket field at the end of the day,” Morris said.

Chris Gayle (Punjab Kings): Still a force in Twenty20 cricket at the age of 41, the veteran remains a vital part of the Punjab Kings’ batting arsenal. The self-styled “Universe Boss” exploded last season after making the side midway through the tournament to hit three half-centuries in seven matches. Punjab missed out on a play-offs spot, but the destructive left-hander, who is targeting his third T20 World Cup title with West Indies later this year, said he believed the change in the team’s name from Kings XI Punjab would also bring them a change in luck.

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Over the years, SRH has depended heavily on skipper David Warner and he has consistently delivered. With 548 runs in the 13th edition, the captain once again led the Hyderabad unit’s charge. And it will be a delight for the SRH team management that opening partner Jonny Bairstow has also been in tremendous form.

Sam Curran (Chennai Super Kings): MS Dhoni will be quietly smiling when he looks at his strong squad as Chennai face Delhi Capitals in their opener on Saturday. The return of seasoned Suresh Raina, and the presence of a rejuvenated Moeen Ali bolsters a well-rounded team, and key man will be Sam Curran. The Englishman hit a brilliant knock against India in the third ODI in the recent series. Along with his prowess with the bat, the all-rounder is also expected to open the bowling for CSK, as he takes on more responsibility.

Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders): KKR narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the UAE last time out in what was — for them — a disappointing campaign. One of the reasons for their slip was a poor show from seasoned West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. With the ageing 32-year-old aware that he may not get too many more opportunities, the addition of a strong support cast including Shakib Al Hasan will help ease the pressure on Russell and allow him to shine and focus on his own game.

Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians): It has been a tough few months for Hardik Pandya and his Mumbai Indians teammate and brother Krunal after their father passed away in January. However, both have shown great character, shining for India in the recent series against Australia and England. Back-to-back defending champions Mumbai play a fearless brand of cricket Hardik ‘Kung-Fu’ Pandya is central to that, thanks to his brilliant middle-order batting, that can shatter any team’s confidence after the top order have been removed. He’s not too bad with the ball, either.