It is anybody’s game as IPL 7 takes centrestage in the UAE

John Wright says there is an air of expectancy in Mumbai side as most teams step into the unknown with rejigged squads while his Kolkata counterpart banks on Kallis to prove doubters wrong in tonight's opener.

Sachin Tendulkar, centre, was in Abu Dhabi yesterday as he mentors the Mumbai Indians squad during a practice session. Pawan Singh / The National

ABU DHABI // Finally it begins. When the news first began leaking that the Indian Premier League (IPL) might be played partially in the UAE, it was natural to take it with some skepticism. It had nothing to do with the standard of facilities or readiness of the infrastructure here.

Mostly, it related to the Indian board’s ongoing reluctance since 2000 to play in the UAE.

Now, weeks later, in a style indicative of the swiftness with which the IPL operates, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders kick off the league’s seventh season tonight at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The sides are two of the three highest-profile franchises – Chennai Super Kings making up that triumvirate – in the league.

They had thoroughly contrasting seasons last time around. Mumbai were winners in 2013. Kolkata finished seventh out of nine last year, but were winners in 2012.

But beside the difficulties of accounting for form in Twenty20, this season’s player-retention rule changes have made any exercises in prediction doubly difficult.

Most squads have changed considerably from previous incarnations, because this year, franchises were only allowed to retain a maximum of six players from last season.

That has added an element of the unknown not only within each side, but also when sizing up an opponent. “There is an air of expectancy,” said John Wright, Mumbai’s coach.

“Not only with it being the first game, but there is a different make-up to all the sides, so everyone had a look at the side on paper and made comments.”

Mumbai have retained a core, as well as the handy advisory services of Sachin Tendulkar.

The India legend is on hand in Abu Dhabi, helping out some of the younger players. Having lost players such as Dwayne Smith and Dinesh Karthik, there lies an opportunity for younger, lesser-known players to shine.

“There are three or four young players and there is a spot to play for, which is an opportunity,” Wright said.

“It is their time. The greatest thing about the IPL is it creates an opportunity for someone to come and become very well-known in a very short space of time.”

Kolkata, too, are considerably altered from their last appearance in the league. They have worked to strengthen a faltering middle order with the acquisitions of Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey, but their most intriguing buy is Jacques Kallis.

Kallis is an all-time great, but his Twenty20 pedigree is perhaps not as resounding.

Kolkata have invested a considerable amount to secure his services, but coach Trevor Bayliss is happy it carries little risk. “Jacques has got a wonderful record,” Bayliss said. “He is a great cricketer. You write people off at your own risk. A lot of these players, when people think they are down and out, that is exactly when something clicks in their mind and they go and show it.

“If anyone wants to write Jacques off, then do it at your own peril, because I feel and from what I’ve seen so far this year, he has been batting and bowling as well as he ever has. So, I would be surprised if he doesn’t do well in this tournament.”

Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE