IPL 2019: 5 teams that can win IPL overseas

IPL 2019 auctions concluded on 18th December and teams have already decided their combinations. Several rookies instigated a bidding war amidst the deep-pocketed franchises. Similarly, there were cricketing greats who went unsold.

Irrespective of the team selections, it is the performance that will matter when the IPL kicks off next year.

For the third time after 2009 and 2014, IPL might be moving to overseas shores. Conditions overseas will be contrastingly dissimilar from the ones back home in India. Rajasthan and CSK who played the finals in 2008, could not make it to the finals in 2009 when IPL moved to Africa.

The teams which possess a strong pace bowling unit has an excellent opportunity to do well. IPL 2019 players list makes it more exciting to formulate a team that can win in alien conditions.

Let's look into five teams which have an opportunity to win the IPL.

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#5 Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR's squad for IPL 2019

KKR has always been a surprise package in IPL. After struggling to qualify for the first three seasons, KKR rejuvenated their fortunes by winning the trophy twice in 2012 and 2014. They are one of the most consistent sides in the IPL usually qualifying in the top four.

KKR's auction strategy was evident when they went for horses over courses. They have a decent mix of batsmen with Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn at the helm. Middle order will be bolstered by captain Dinesh Karthik, Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill. The West Indian trio of Sunil Narine, Carlos Braithwaite and Andre Russell will give them the firepower down the order and perform the all-rounder's role.

KKR's trump card in overseas conditions might be Kuldeep Yadav whose performance might go a long way in deciding their chances. However, with the inclusions of Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Prasidh Krishna, they have pace bowlers who can consistently bowl above 90 mph.

They have some backups like Joe Denly, Anrich Nortje and Harry Gurney who might do better in conditions that aids pace and bounce.

#4 Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians IPL 2019 squad

Mumbai Indians are one of the most successful teams in IPL's history. After failing to win in the first six editions, MI became a force under Rohit Sharma's captaincy and won the title three times in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

MI has selected a strong squad which has a good mix of youth and experience. Quinton De Kock and Rohit Sharma are MI's batting mainstays. Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Ben Cutting will provide a strong foundation in the middle and lower-middle order.

Bowling looks promising with Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Mitch McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendroff, Barinder Sran and Mayank Markande in the mix.

Rohit, De Kock, Bumrah and Behrendroff's performance will be crucial for Mumbai. One disadvantage for MI would be lack of a good wrist spinner who can stifle the opposition in the middle overs.

Since most of the batters will be playing in conditions which are alien, it would be interesting to see how they adapt.

#3 Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings 2019 IPL squad

CSK is one of the most successful teams in T20 history. They have won three IPL titles and two CL T20 titles as well. CSK has one of the most charismatic leaders in modern times, and he will undoubtedly have an impact this time as well.

CSK has always produced a balanced squad who have time and again recruited players who have sufficient international experience. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis are powerful players at the top. However, it would be interesting to see how Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and the ice-cool man Dhoni himself will perform. The game here would be all about fast-bowling and spinners will have to do a containing job.

CSK has a decent bowling attack which is led by Lungi Ngidi and supported by Mitch Santner, Mohit Sharma, Deepak Chahar and David Willey.

Like MI, CSK might have missed a trick by not picking a tear-away quick apart from Ngidi and a good wrist-spinner who will add value in overseas conditions.

#2 Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB - IPL 2019 Squad

RCB has always been the most explosive and entertaining sides in the IPL. They have always boasted of some of the biggest in the circuit, but they have never tasted IPL success with the three opportunities they had till date.

RCB's batting is explosive with Virat Kohli, AB de Villers, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme and Shimron Hetmeyer in the ranks. RCB's main focus in this years auction was to strengthen their lower middle order to avoid over-dependence on Kohli and ABD.

They have picked up Gurkeerat Singh, Marcus Stoinis and the big-hitting young lad Shivam Dube. If they click as a batting order, they would be almost unstoppable as Kohli and ABD are in red-hot form.

RCB's bowling is led by Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav and Yajuvendra Chahal. RCB's major issue over the years has been their bowling as they fail to defend totals. This time they have a good mix of bowling options which may help them to surge ahead.

If Kohli and ABD set the ball rolling and others chip in, RCB can hope to win the first ever title.

#1 Sunrisers Hyderabad

SRH Squad for IPL 2019

SRH has been one of the most consistent sides in IPL without much glitz and glamour. They have always produced one of the strongest bowling sides over the years and even won the IPL in 2016 due to their bowling efforts.

SRH has got a good balance between youth and experience. David Warner and Kane Williamson will lead Hyderabad's batting. Martin Guptill is the other backup opener. Shakib-Al-Hasan, Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan will strengthen the middle order. SRHs batting is capable of posting big totals as their lower has the big-hitting Deepak Hooda and Rashid Khan.

However, it's SRHs bowling that will make all the difference in foreign conditions. Williamson's handling of his bowlers in IPL 2018 was one of their USP's. SRH's bowling is led by the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with other promising fast bowling prospects like Sandeep Sharma, Billy Stanlake, Siddarth Kaul and Khaleel Ahmed.

SRH's spin department is handled by the world's best T20 leggie Rashid Khan and the experienced duo of Mohammad Nabi and Shakib. They hunt as a pack and can demolish the opposition by stifling runs and also picking crucial wickets in the middle.

Conditions outside the sub-continent are sure to favour new ball bowlers and SRH probably has arguably the best seam attack and an army of world-class spinners, which makes them an overwhelming favourite.

Last time, when a Hyderabad team played in South Africa back in 2009, they were triumphant. This time around only time will tell if SRH will actually go on and win the title.