8 players to watch out for in IPL 2016

New Delhi: The ninth season of the Indian Premier League – IPL 2016 kicks off from April 9. The ‘cricket festival’ will witness eight teams in action and the league will last for almost two months with 60 matches to be played. Cricket fans are anxiously waiting for the action to start on the ground. Meanwhile, here are the eight players to watch out for in the forthcoming IPL 2016.

Carlos Brathwaite: After his fascinating knock of 34 runs from 10 balls against England in the World T20 finals, Brathwaite will be one of the most interesting players to watch out for in the IPL 2016. The Caribbean run-machine will be a part of IPL for the first time. Brathwaite was picked up by Delhi Daredevils for a bid of Rs 4.2 crore.

Virat Kohli: Team India’s star batsman and Royal Challenger Bangalore’s captain has been in tremendous form this year, first in Asia Cup and then in the T20 World Cup. Declared the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the World T20, Kohli is expected to showcase some exquisite batting performance in the forthcoming IPL season.

Jos Buttler: After his excellent performance in the World T20, England’s wicket-keeper batsman is all set to score runs for the Mumbai Indians. Picked up for Rs 3.8 crore, Buttler has the ability to dismantle any batting order in the world.

Chris Gayle: The IPL stats themselves reveal why he is one of the most feared batsmen in the world. He has smashed five centuries and 18 half centuries with a strike rate of 153.5 that include 230 sixes. Gayle has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Rohit Sharma: Captain of the Mumbai Indians team, Rohit Sharma has already led his team to IPL victory in 2013 and 2015. Rohit has played 128 IPL matches in which he has made 3385 runs with an average of 32.5, including a century and 24 half centuries.

Shane Watson: The star all-rounder from Australia turned to be the costliest player in the IPL auctions after Royal Challengers Bangalore picked him for a whopping Rs 9.5 crore. He is one of the few players in the world who can single-handedly turn the game with both bat and ball.

Eoin Morgan: After England’s saddening defeat against West Indies in the World T20 finals, English team captain Morgan will look forward to push Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first IPL title victory.

David Warner This Australian left-handed batsman is known for his aggressive batting. His IPL stats include two centuries and 23 half centuries with a strike rate of 139 and an average of 34.12. Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained him and the fans will expect some flamboyant performances from him.