IPL 2018: Top 4 teams with a strong middle-order

The coming summer season is surely going to be an entertaining as the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to begin.

Teams have started their camps and are in full preparation mode ahead of what is going to be a magnificent tournament. The team staff and the respective captains will be breaking their heads to plan strategies for themselves as well as for their opponents.

One of the key factors in this shortest format of the game is batting. In batting as well, the middle order serves to be the backbone of any team. A lot depends on the top order but it eventually pens down to the middle order who have to face the penultimate overs.

We see the same issue with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. It probably has the best top order batting line-up, but when it comes to the middle order, it seems to be short of experienced power hitters.

The power hitting and slogging abilities are required at the death overs. The way five, six, seven and eight number players bat several sets the tone of the match.

We have seen in the past how a single boundary or six towards the end of an inning can impact a game.

Keeping in mind the importance of the middle order, let's look at the top 4 teams with the strongest middle order in this season:

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#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Braithwaite will add more steel to the Hyderabad outfit

The 2016 title holders, Sunrisers Hyderabad have a very dependable opening pair. Warner and Dhawan have a great understanding amongst each other and have given numerous great start for the Sunrisers.

Wriddhiman Saha was one of the best picks at the auction. He has a hundred to his name while playing for the Kings XI Punjab franchise.

Yusuf Pathan, Manish Pandey, and Shakib al Hasan, all three from Kolkata Knight Riders will be featuring in the Hyderabad team. We all have seen their capabilities and will form the core of Sunrisers middle order.

It would depend on the team management where they make him bat. The middle order has strengthened with the inclusion of the Caribbean all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite. His can use his long handle very effectively in the death overs.

The Indian youngsters will also be playing a key role in the Hyderabad team. The young Indian talent, Deepak Hooda has proven in the past that how impactful he can be. He has the ability to clear the ground at will.

#3 Chennai Super Kings

Dhoni will add solidify the CSK batting line-up

A two-time champion, Chennai Super Kings is the only team to make it to the qualifiers in every season they have played.

The team looks very balanced with the top order consisting of Faf du Plessis, Murali Vijay, and the ever-dependable Suresh Raina.

The inclusion of the Aussie all-rounder, Shane Watson has added to the power hitting game of CSK. He has got the ability to bat in the top order and even in the middle whenever needed.

The core of Chennai's middle order will be MS Dhoni. He hasn't been in the best of forms recently but given the nature of the game, he can be a match-winner any day.

The power he possesses is just ridiculous. He has a strong bottom hand that generates sufficient power for his helicopter shot.

Apart from the skipper, Kedar Jadhav is going to be an impact player for the franchise. He was purchased for a whopping price of Rs. 7.80 crores.

A lot will depend on him in the middle order. The lower middle order includes the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja who have got the power to slog at the death overs.

Overall, when one looks at the batting line-up of CSK, it seems really promising. A firm top order with the experience of Suresh Raina, backed by the powers of Dhoni, Watson, and Jadhav in the middle order, Chennai has got all that it takes to win the title.

#2 Kings XI Punjab

Miller will be a crucial player for Kings XI Punjab this season

One of the most inconsistent teams in the history of IPL, Kings XI Punjab had a successful IPL auction this year.

The team looks well equipped with the firepower that could take the team to finals.

The franchise purchased a big name towards the end of the auctions, Chris Gayle. He is not a consistent player, but when he fires, everyone else becomes a mere spectator.

But if the top order including Gayle himself fails, the burden then shifts to the middle order right away.

Kings XI Punjab has got an experienced middle order this year. The veteran Indian left-hander Yuvraj Singh would be keen to score big this season and make his way in the international team.

The South African big hitter, David Miller has proved his worth in the past seasons for Punjab. He also has a century to his name which he scored while batting at No. 5.

If Aaron Finch is made to play in the middle order, he can be as destructive as he is in the opening slot.

The team also has the experience of players like Manoj Tiwary and Mayank Agrawal in the middle order. Mayank Agrawal has hit 33 sixes in the IPL so far.

The left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who was retained by the Punjab franchise can come in handy with his slogging. He has also scored well in the death overs both for Punjab and Indian team as well.

#1 Mumbai Indians

Hardik Pandya has a had a memorable year in the international circuit

The three-time IPL winners, Mumbai Indians is known for the fearless cricket it plays.

Led by the classy Indian opener, Rohit Sharma, MI has got every bit covered in their team ahead of the coming tournament.

With a reliable top order, which includes Sharma himself, Mumbai has a power-packed middle order.

The Caribbean all-rounder, Kieron Pollard is one of their main strengths. During his IPL journey, he has played several match-winning knocks in the middle order.

He has got the capability to hit the ball in any part of the ground and can clear the boundary line at ease. Pollard has a deadly strike-rate of 146.53 in IPL.

Mumbai had retained the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

He has had a wonderful last 12 months where he had played numerous fiery cameos for India in all the three formats of the game.

He can be very destructive in the middle order. He can be also sent up the order as a pinch hitter.

The South African player, JP Duminy is another strong factor in their middle order. Playing for Delhi Daredevils, JP has played several exceptional knocks.

MI have players like Krunal Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav who can use their long handles in the middle order.