Hyderabad

The second round of IPL auctions are over and a clear picture is emerging about the strengths and weaknesses of the squads. Like after the first round, we size up the options available for the skippers.

Far and away a dream Twenty20 line-up when it comes to batting firepower. Spoilt for choice when it comes to openers, with Gilchrist, Afridi and Gibbs around.

With the likes of Symonds, Styris, Laxman, Sharma and Silva shoring up the middle order, this is one team which can pack a mean punch.

Hyderabad, unhampered by the presence of an icon player, pulled out all the stops in the first auction and didn't have much to do in the second.

RP Singh and Chaminda Vaas offer quality seam options, although the presence of an additional pacer wouldn't hurt because the seam options lack variety. Pragyan Ojha (if he gets a look-in), Afridi and Symonds will bolster the spin department.

Probably the best fielding side around, too, with Gibbs and Symonds leading the way.

Squad: VVS Laxman (capt), Andrew Symonds, Rudra Pratap Singh, Rohit Sharma, Adam Gilchrist (wicketkeeeper), Shahid Afridi, Herschelle Gibbs, Chaminda Vaas, Scott Styris, Nuwan Zoysa, Chamara Silva, Halhadar Das (wicketkeeper), Pragyan Ojha, Dwaraka Ravi Teja, Paidikalva Vijaykumar, Arjun Yadav, D Kalyankrishna, Venugopal Rao

Coach: Robin Singh (TOI Photo)