Virender Sehwag: “This year, I would want a franchise who has never won the tournament to lift the title”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Former India opener and Kings XI Punjab director Virender Sehwag has admitted that he would like to see one of the franchises who have never won the Indian Premier League (IPL) triumph in this year’s tournament.
The Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings have combined to win the competition seven times since it began in 2008.
With the Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and now-defunct Deccan Chargers also having tasted IPL glory, Sehwag is eager to see a different team lift the trophy this time around.
Whether it be the King XI, Delhi Daredevils or Royal Challengers Bangalore, the 39-year-old believes it would be a breath of fresh air if one of the franchises secured their maiden IPL title.
“This year, I would want a franchise who has never won the tournament to lift the title,” Sehwag told CricketNext as quoted by CricTracker. “Whether it’s Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils or Royal Challengers Bangalore, one of these teams should win the title which will increase the level of competition in the tournament.”
The 2018 IPL will begin on April 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which will also host the final on May 27. The Mumbai Indians, who won the tournament last year, will feature in the opening game, but their opponents will be confirmed when the IPL schedule is released later this week.