On the face of it, Hyderabad look the best fielding side by far. Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi and Rohit Sharma are world-class fielders with explosive hitting capability.

They also have three sharp left-arm seamers in Vaas, RP Singh and Nuwan Zoysa and in the incomparable Adam Gilchrist behind the wicket for the whole course of the tournament. Backing up these light-footed experienced pros is a bevy of local talent, none better than the upcoming left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. Led by the genial VVS Laxman, it would be a surprise if this team doesn't go far.

On the face of it, Kings XI have got their hirings desperately wrong. If their New Zealand, West Indies and Australia pros must return home to play Test cricket, it leaves this side threadbare, vulnerable and very much the dark horse in the fray.

If that's the case, Punjab may not appear threatening to the other star-studded sides. Tom Moody has a proven track record as coach, something that Yuvraj Singh doesn’t as captain. More than any other team, this side needs to make a solid beginning, for the going may get tougher after their international pros return home.