With IPL taking off with the match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday, there are some Indian veterans who will be looking to leave their impression this year. These players are from the old school and play their cricket with a genuine class. IPL will see a lot of slogging and unorthodox cricket, but there are some players who will play in the normal style and will be a treat to watch.

Rahul Dravid (Rajasthan Royals): Dravid was named the captain for the Bangalore team in the first ever edition of the IPL. It was said that he is leading a Test side and was dragged into controversies as his team finished at the seventh position. Dravid was criticized for his batting, even though he performed really well in the tournament. Dravid is always considered to be more suitable for the longer version of the game. He changed it all in the next season, IPL was played in South Africa and all the ‘hard-hitters’ found it difficult to slog. In those conditions, Dravid with a solid technique showed that making runs is easy if you are capable of handling the tough situations. He played some exciting knocks and took his team to the finals. From there on, he is one of the consistent performers and seeing him bat is a treat to the eyes. This time he will captain the Rajasthan Royals. And as he has retired from the International circuit, he will be more relaxed and will be looking to leave a mark.

Amit Mishra (Deccan Chargers): Amit Mishra has lost his place in the Indian team. Mishra is a genuine leg-spinner and is from the old school. He looks to beat the batsman with his flight and depends on the drift that he gets. He lost his place as he got hit for runs whenever he played. In IPL, Mishra has been an efficient bowler. Batsmen in this format are always looking to hit a spinner and that is what goes in Mishra’s favour as he can force a batsman to play a false stroke. 

Ajit Agarkar (Delhi Daredevils): Ajit Agarkar has taken close to 300 international wickets in one-dayers. Agarkar once held the record for the fastest bowler to get to 50 wickets and was a genuine wicket taker. Agarkar is a genuine swing bowler and looks to get a batsman out driving the ball. In the recent years he has not been able to make a mark and has been a non-performer in IPL as well. This season he will be looking to regain his lost form and will be hoping to get back the magic he had in his deliveries.

Sourav Ganguly (Pune Warriors India): The King of off-side will take the first stride for the Pune Warriors. One of the best batsmen of his time, Ganguly will be looking to bat with the same fineness that he owned. Ganguly has been a class performer for India and has been one of the most elegant left-hander that the world has witnessed. He was often compared to David Gower, the batting great from England. Ganguly hits the ball with absolute timing and can pierce the smallest of gaps on the off-side. The world will be hoping for this batsman to come good, because if he does, he will play some of the best shots known to humans.

Murali Kartik (Pune Warriors India): The slow left-armer is considered to be one of the most unlucky spinners in India. He played under the shadow of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh and thus did not get many opportunities to play at the international level. Kartik is one good spinner and has bowled some really good spells for his country. Nowadays, he plays most of his cricket in England and is rated very highly there. Kartik performed really well in the last season of IPL and will be looking to do the same this season. He has a clean action and has got all the variations in his bowling. His flight and change of pace is his greatest strength as he has it in him to deceive any batsmen.

Indian Sports News