Top five cricket tournaments in 2018

BySportscafe Marketing, SportsCafe Editor

02/17/2018

2018 is all set to bring an action-packed season to the viewers with the big sides fighting for world dominance across all the three formats. With Virat Kohli and co. spending most of their season away from home conditions, things are bound to be interesting both on and off the field.

Caribbean Premier League

Though not as popular or lucrative, or even widely reached league as the IPL, the CPL has garnered quite a viewership of its own in the four- year life it has enjoyed so far along with the availability to bet on cricket. Apart from having all the explosive and exciting cricketing stars of West Indies who are also joined by the likes of Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Shane Watson and many more, the exotic locations add a special flavour to the tournament. And with the salary cap increasing every year, CPL is fast catching up with the likes of Big Bash League (BBL) and IPL.

India-Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Tri-series

India's return to home conditions after a gruelling series in South Africa and the time will be ripe for the Men in Blue to reestablish their control in Asian conditions after an omnipotent performance over the last two years. With the tour taking place in Sri Lanka, where India have been extremely successful of late, the outcome is more than known to all. However, Bangladesh’s newfound rivalry with India and their excruciatingly close encounters in recent times will definitely keep things interesting. Sri Lanka might not be in the best of form at the moment, but would definitely not see themselves as the third best side in this tri-series.

India tour of England

2018 will be a test by fire for India given their overseas adventures after spending two seasons in warm and comfy home conditions. Their recent struggles in the Test series in South Africa have already proved the fact that the Virat Kohli-led side is not invincible after all, giving the Britons every hope of getting to make a statement. Kohli’s incredible consistency with the bat all across the world has faltered in England and critics have spared no chance of reminding him that time and again. And if Kohli’s celebrations after scoring centuries in South Africa are any go by, the skipper is raring to prove his batting mettle on every turf in the world.

Indian Premier League

The cash-rich T20 league is the best thing that the BCCI has given to cricket lovers. With glamour and motivation in equal proportions to assimilate the greatest stars of cricketing world and Bollywood, the two-month long tourney hasn’t ceased to amaze people even after 10 seasons. The much-anticipated mega-auction that took place at the end of last month saw the eight franchises spend a jaw-dropping 431.7 crores across two days, which only reflects how bigger and better the league will be this time. With the megastars swapping clubs after years, rivalries and challenges will be renewed all over again.

India tour of Australia

If there is one cricketer in modern day cricket who can be considered Virat Kohli’s nemesis, it is Steve Smith. And after India humiliated the Aussies in the ODI home series last year, the Kangaroos are raring to make things even. The India-Australia rivalry will also add the needed drama and commotion in the buildup to the tournament. Smith has already established himself as the best in the longest format after his magnificent form in Ashes and will give a tough challenge to the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah’s rampaging run.