The Indian Premier League 2019 or IPL 2019 starts on the 23rd of March and the cash-rich league is going to be huge once again owing to some of the best players in the world on display. Each franchise got its team composition sorted out in the auction back in December 2018. As is the case with IPL every year, some of the international stars go all guns blazing right from the onset. While it is a known fact that the domestic players form the core of any title-winning campaign, the foreign players are the x-factor of a team. Let us look at some of the international cricketers who make it to our players to watch out for list. IPL 2019 Schedule in PDF: Download VIVO Indian Premier League 12 Full Timetable With Fixtures, Matches, Team and Venue Details.

AB de Villiers – Royal Challengers Bangalore: ABD may have retired from the game but the legendary player is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the T20 format. Like every year, the RCB are betting big on him and he was one of the first players retained by the franchise. He is likely to play every game for RCB and if gets going, the morale of the opposition take a huge downward trajectory.

Sandeep Lamichhane – Delhi Capitals: Nepal’s cricketing star has been making waves in T20 leagues around the world and it was no brainer really for Delhi Capitals to retain him. He has delivered some big performances in the Big Bash and PSL and on the spinner-friendly tracks, the leg spinner would be very difficult to get away provided he makes the playing eleven.

Shane Watson – Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson is probably the best foreign player available in the Indian Premier League. The Australian all-rounder scorer 555 runs last season to help his team win the cup and comes into the tournament on the back of 430 runs in the PSL where he was the player of the competition. CSK will once again be one of the favourites with Watson opening their innings. IPL 2018 Winner: Here’s a Quick Look Back How CSK Won Last Year’s Indian Premier League.

Sam Curran – Kings XI Punjab: English all-rounder Sam Curran was picked by the Kings XI Punjab for a whopping 7.2 crore in the auction and given his performances for the Three Lions, the prize seems justified. Punjab have not done well in the IPL so far and Curran could just spring them back to life by contributing with both bat and bowl.

Shimron Hetmyer – Royal Challengers Bangalore: As if Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers were not enough for RCB to frighten the opposition bowlers, they have also roped in Shimron Hetmyer of the West Indies. A power hitter up the order, Hetmyer was brilliant when the West Indies toured India last year. HE could be a force to reckon with on the flat pitches of India.

Jos Butler – Rajasthan Royals: A decision to promote Jos Butler as an opener last season turned out to be a masterstroke by the Rajasthan Royals management as the English batsman showed his wide array of shots powering his way to huge scores. He is technically gifted and plays long innings which is massive from Rajasthan Royals point of view. Ajinkya Rahane Posts a Training Picture Ahead of IPL 2019; Netizens Hilariously Troll Rajasthan Royals’ Skipper.

Jason Behrendorff – Mumbai Indians: Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff was the star for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash and the Mumbai Indians fans can expect some of that magic in India this IPL. A wicket-taking option in both the opening and death overs, Jason Behrendorff in combination with Jasprit Bumrah can be virtually unplayable for the batsman.

Video: IPL 2019 Schedule

Ashton Turner – Rajasthan Royals: India found out how destructive Ashton Turner can be with the bat in the recent series against Australia but the lower order batsman has been finishing games for his team Perth Scorchers for quite some time back home in the Big Bash. His range of shots makes him a dangerous batsman to bowl to for both the pacers and spinners and Rajasthan Royals will likely find a place for him in the team.

David Warner – Sunrisers Hyderabad: Left-handed David Warner returns to the game after a gap of one year but given the quality he possess, the opening batsman should not find it tough to impact the IPL once again. He has won the tournament once in 2016 and boasts of a very good track record in the league. The SRH management may draft him straight back in the team which is good news for his fans. IPL 2019 Key Players: Ashton Turner to Sandeep Lamichhane, List of Cricketers From Each Team Who Will Be Important For Their Franchise's Success.

Joe Denly – Kolkata Knight Riders: Extremely underrated Joe Denly is a huge catch for KKR as the Englishman is an expert when it comes to playing in the T20. Ideally, an opener who can be shifted to the middle order he can also bowl his leg spins which makes him a complete package. He has been playing in leagues around the world and in him, KKR’s search for a batting all-rounder ended.

These are some of the foreign players who are likely to have a significant impact on the IPL and it is a visual treat for the fans watching them in action.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2019 08:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).