The eleventh edition of the IPL will start on Saturday, the 7th of April and the eight franchises are looking to get their combinations right. Foremost on the agenda of all the clubs is to get their overseas contingent perfect – with just four slots up for grabs in the playing XI. It goes without saying that the Australians in every side will be the ones keenly watched, especially with the fact that the full IPL 2018 tournament will be broadcast on Fox Sports in Australia for the first time!
Even if Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc are set to miss out because of contrasting reasons, there are enough Aussie names to get us interested. Let us look at some of the Kangaroos who are all set to rock IPL and world cricket.
Chris Lynn – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Cost: 1.86 Million AUD
How can we not mention this guy! One of the strongest hitters in T20 cricket, Lynn will definitely be the one to watch out for this IPL. His shoulder injuries are a concern, but if he can stay injury-free for even half the season, KKR will be in consideration for top honours.
He has a strike rate of 158 in 12 IPL games so far, but it must be noted that when in full flow, no stadium is too big for the hard hitting Aussie.
The dynamite top-order batsman will be wary of his shoulder, but if he can stay on the park, then look to back him to be the top KKR batsman.
TIP: Lynn top run scorer for KKR - $2.50 at Sportsbet
Glenn Maxwell – Delhi Daredevils (DD)
Cost: 1.86 Million AUD
What a season ‘The Big Show’ is having! After getting dropped out of the Aussie ODI team for indifferent attitude, Maxwell has used the Big Bash to storm back into contention. Not only did he gain his place in the Aussie side back, he has also regained his place as a top IPL dog!
He comes with a long pedigree in the IPL, having represented DD earlier in 2012, Mumbai Indians in 2013 and Kings XI Punjab from 2014-17. Overall, he has 1228 runs in 57 matches at an exceptional strike rate of 164.39.
DD will definitely look at maximizing Maxwell’s influence by having him play as many overs as possible. There is something in him this season that makes me expect a stellar year from him and is definetely a chance to be the top run scorer for his side.
TIP: Maxwell top run scorer for DD - $9 at Sportsbet
Andrew Tye – Kings XI Punjab
Cost: 1.4 million AUD
The superstar of T20 bowling, Tye is one of the first and the best exponents of this format. His uncanny wicket-taking ability stands him out in a format that is considered a graveyard forbowlers. He took 16 wickets for the Perth Scorchers in this Big Bash in just six games including a hat-trick.
In fact, Tye had three hat-tricks in the calendar year 2017 and will look to add to the 12 wickets he has in IPL at an economy rate of 6.71. Back him to be top Kings XI bowler.
TIP: Tye top wicket taker for KXI - $2.88 at Sportsbet
