IPL 2018: 4 teams most likely to make the playoffs

With a fresh look added to one of the biggest tournaments in cricket today, the Indian Premier League will bring a whole new level of excitement with it come April. The recent revamp of all the IPL teams has truly made it difficult to predict which teams will make this year's playoffs, let alone win the coveted title.

At the end of the league stages, the top 4 teams will move on to the playoffs. This usually requires teams to perform on a consistent basis throughout the initial phases of the tournament. Previous editions of the tournaments have seen teams requiring a minimum of 7/8 wins in order to reach the dying stages.

In order to reach the promise-land known as the playoffs, there are 3 requirements that must be fulfilled. The first is squad depth, the second; a good mix of cricketers and the third; leadership.

Without further ado, here are the teams that could make the IPL 2018 playoffs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Sunrisers are no stranger to the playoffs having finished 3rd in the group stage last season and, of course, going on to win the title in the 2016 edition of the tournament. Their performance at this year's auction was regarded as one of the best.

The team from Hyderabad managed to retain their core group of players, with David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan set to dawn the orange kit once more. In addition to that, they have also managed to procure a balanced team with immense squad depth, adding the likes of Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hassan, Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha and Sandeep Sharma to the fray.

With a team led by the experienced veteran Warner, a squad not changed drastically, as well as additional firepower in their arsenal, the Sunrisers are indeed a force to be reckoned with this IPL season.

Kings XI Punjab

One of 3 teams since the inaugural edition of the IPL to have not won the title, the Kings XI Punjab will be looking to change their fortunes this time around.

Not shy to spend their money in the auction, the Kings XI find themselves with a completely different squad from previous editions, having only retained Axar Patel.

On paper, this team looks to have got the right mix of domestic and foreign players. Bringing in experienced names such as KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair and Mohit Sharma, the Kings XI should build their squad around this core group of players. They have also added the Australian trio of heavy-hitting Aaron Finch, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, and the hat-trick man himself, Andrew Tye.

Even though it is quite evident that this team have great balance and a deep squad, they lack an experienced leader. However, I still wouldn't count out them out as far as reaching the playoffs is concerned.

Delhi Daredevils

The wooden-spooners of the IPL, Delhi are a team that desperately need to turn over a new leaf in order to bring joy back to the nation's capital. Luckily for them, this is the season that gave them the opportunity to make drastic changes.

Not only did their squad change dramatically but they also made a huge move by appointing Ricky Ponting, who was recently inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, their head coach and mentor. He is very familiar with the IPL setting, and found success coaching the 2013 IPL champions, the Mumbai Indians. His knowledge of the game both on and off the pitch is surely a huge asset for the Delhi Daredevils.

Delhi managed to bring back their former leader Gautam Gambhir, who won titles for the Knight Riders as a captain on two separate occasions. They have also got a fierce bowling line-up with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris, Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami and Amit Mishra. In addition, they have managed to retain two up-and-coming stars of the Indian national team in Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer as well as bringing in heavy hitters like Jason Roy and Colin Munro.

With the leadership of Gambhir and Ponting, a deep squad, and an excellent mix of youth and experience, the Daredevils are definitely the dark horses in this year's IPL.

Chennai Super Kings

After serving a 2-year ban, the Chennai Super Kings will be looking to regain their IPL title. One of the most consistent teams in the history of the IPL, finishing in the top 4 in every season, the Men in Yellow know a thing or two about reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

Chennai, just like the Sunrisers, managed to retain their core group that won them back-to-back titles, in 2010 and 2011. By keeping the likes of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwyane Bravo, Chennai look an extremely formidable unit indeed.

They have also added further experience to their team by bringing in the likes of Murali Vijay, Harbhajan Singh and Shane Watson. To further bolster their bowling attack, they purchased two of South Africa's best in Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi, adding a different dynamic to the squad.

Though they lack young blood, expect their experienced players to take them over the line.