Trump Cards of each team in IPL 2017

The 2017 edition of the IPL is all set to get underway. Over the years, the most popular T20 league in the world has only got bigger and better with each passing edition. It comes as no surprise that the hype around the upcoming edition is unprecedented as the biggest stars of world cricket are ready to get under one umbrella yet again. The 2017 auctions saw the addition of some power packed performers in the roster.

A perfect blend of international stars and domestic youth are set to put up two-month long carnival for the fans. The teams have got their balances right and went in with plans at the auction. With the intended players on the list, they now will feel confident of doing well this season.

While all players are obviously a valued asset to their respective franchises, there are a few who are being tipped as the vital cogs in the wheel for the teams. These vital cogs, or the trump cards, will be the ones bagging most of the headlines throughout the IPL 2017.

Here we have the team wise trump card of all the teams this season:

1. Mumbai Indians – Lasith Malinga

The veteran Sri Lankan bowler, Lasith Malinga, has missed most of the IPL action in the previous two editions of the tournament. But this time, the slingy pacer is all fit and raring to go for the Mumbai Indians outfit. The Mumbai franchise has often boasted of a strong batting lineup.

It has been their bowling that proved to be a weaklink for them last year and cost them dearly. Now, their most experienced bowler is back on the roster and they will hope for the fortunes to change. Over the years, Malinga has arguably been the most successful bowlers and a title contender for the Purple Cap as well.

In the 98 IPL matches that he has played, he has scalped 143 wickets at a staggering average of 17.80 and brilliant strike rate of 16. He has four 4-wicket hauls to his name to go with a five-for as well. He was on a rampage in the 2011 edition where he bagged 28 wickets in 16 matches.