The excitement for IPL 2021 is building up big time now. We are already at the end of the first week of March and the IPL is expected to begin in a month’s time. Recently, the BCCI has announced that the IPL will take at 6 venues only, from the 9^th of April till the 30^th of May. To add to it, no team will play at their home ground and will play at 4 out of the 6 venues in the group stage.

The team managements of various franchises must have begun with their preparations as far as strategy and team combinations are concerned. The India-England series is India’s last International assignment before the IPL and is also an opportunity for the players to get themselves ready for the grandest T20 league in the world. An important aspect of planning in T20 cricket is power hitting. This is a pillar every team looks to strengthen in the auction.

Ranking teams based on their power hitters in IPL 2021

1) MI

Mumbai Indians are ranked best in this criterion of strength. The defending champions are always the most settled team before the season. They stick to their basics and core players to get the job done.

As far as power hitting is concerned, MI have quite a few big names in there. The trio of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard form a formidable challenge for the opposition bowlers. They are clean strikers of the ball and can change the game by their power hitting in a few overs time itself.

To add to it, they have also bought James Neesham who is yet another wonderful striker and gamechanger. Players like Rohit Sharma, Surya Kumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan are not be forgotten too. Thus, they are best equipped, not only in this aspect but also other criteria and look set for another successful season.

2) KKR

At number 2, we have the Kolkata Knight Riders in these rankings. KKR might not have had a good season last year, but they are a decent team who will look to turn things around this time.

Firstly, they have one of the biggest power hitters in T20 cricket, Andre Russell. Dre Russ did not have a good season last year owing to a knee injury but he will be back this year, ready to take off. Next, they have English captain Eoin Morgan, Sunil Narine, and Dinesh Karthik, all of whom are solid strikers of the ball and truly good power hitters. Nitish Rana too can strike them pretty well.

They have also got Shakib Al Hassan who is a T20 veteran and a wonderful hitter. In the lower order they have Pat Cummins, who too can be counted in this list of range hitters. Not to forget he hit Jasprit Bumrah for 4 sixes in an over last season!  All in all, KKR look a very strong power hitting side and will look to capitalize on it.

3) Punjab Kings

In the next position, we have got the Punjab Kings. The Kings are forming up a really strong power hitting group. They will be hoping for a good season this year after the close shave last year.

To start off, they have the number 1 and number 2 ranked T20 batsmen in the world, KL Rahul and Dawid Malan. Their statistics and rankings speak for themselves and they can hit the ball really well with proper cricketing shots. To follow up, they have the crazy Caribbean duo of Nicholas Pooran and Chris Gayle. They are the excellent power hitters and have an unimaginable striking ability.

Although they have released Glenn Maxwell, an exciting young Indian talent Shahrukh Khan will take his place. Khan was picked on the basis of his excellent finishing ability in domestic cricket and will look to weave his magic in the IPL too.

4) Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB have never won the IPL title yet, but the entertainment factor is right up there in the league. They have some of the biggest names in world cricket who form a bunch  of thunderous power hitters.

Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell. One would not find a better middle order trio in any T20 franchise around the globe. All of them are great batsmen who can change the game on its head within a few overs. They have also bought M Azharudeen who grabbed attention because of his fearless range hitting in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Kyle Jamieson and Washington Sundar too can hit it a long way if needed. This is truly a wonderful bunch of power hitters and if they all fire in tandem, RCB will definitely have chance this season.

5) Rajasthan Royals

Next we have the Rajasthan Royals in this list who too have some good hitters in their side.  Rajasthan have never won the IPL since the inaugural season and they have made a few tactical changes in their strategy to change their fortunes.

In their power hitters’ list, they have their newly appointed captain Sanju Samson. Samson started off the last season on a thunderous note but could not carry on for long. Next, they have the prime all-rounder Ben Stokes and power packed Jos Buttler, both the Englishmen can hit it really well and form a deadly duo. We also saw the striking ability of Rahul Tewatia who hit 5 sixes in a single over against Punjab in the league stage.

They have also got Chris Morris and Jofra Archer, both of whom are handy lower order batsmen and can finish off the innings well. Thus, the Royals have a potential group of power hitters and if they play well consistently, they do stand a chance.

6) Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most consistent teams of the league in the past years but they are not the best as far as power hitting is concerned. They were slow starters last season but picked up really well thereafter.

The biggest power hitter in their team is David Warner who can start hitting from ball one. Jonny Bairstow and Kane Williamson too can accelerate well if needed. But thereafter their middle order, consisting of players like Priyam Garg and Abdul Samad, though talented are quite inexperienced.

They also have the services of Jason Holder and Mitchell Marsh who can don the finisher’s hat quite well with their hitting. Hence, they seem to have good hitters in the team but not as solid, when compared to the top 3.

7) Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals were among the most consistent sides in the 2020 season of the IPL and really deserved to be a part of the finals. They have a wonderful squad of young players, well guided by Ricky Ponting. They stand at number 7 in these rankings based on power hitters.

They have a strong batting line-up who performed very consistently last year, but have very few power hitters in there. The only 2 big names which pop up as far as power hitting is concerned are, Rishabh Pant and Marcus Stoinis. Both of them are excellent finishers but do not have much support in this field.

Having said this, all the other batsmen too are quality players and can play rapidly if the situation demands. Delhi looks a complete side this time too and will hope for a good performance.

8) Chennai Super Kings

It is rare for a team having MS Dhoni to be placed last in the rankings for power hitters but unfortunately it is the case this time. The Super Kings were not at their best and were the first team to be knocked out last season. They have bought few new players at the auction but again they do not look a very strong side.

Over the years MS Dhoni has been CSK’s prime power hitter but as the time passes, his striking  ability seems to dip a bit. Last season was statistically the worst for him in his entire IPL career. Shane Watson has retired which is another void for the yellow team. CSK will now have to rely more on youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and N Jagdesan to get the job done.

They have bought Moeen Ali in the auction, a decent striker to accompany Sam Curran who is set to play the finisher’s role for the team. This line-up does not look as strong in this criterion and has a steep task at their hands.