The BBL will host their fifth edition of the tournament this year and the highly anticipated tournament will kick off on the 17th of December. This summer is about to pump the heat up to an adrenaline high level with the BBL, so be sure to fasten your seat belt and get onboard with the action.  Here are the list of players whom you might want to keep an eye out for!

Kumar Sangakkara (Hobart Hurricanes) - One of the best that this generation has witnessed, Sangakkara is undoubtedly one man who comes to mind, who can single handedly change the complexion of the game. He retired from international ODI cricket at the back of his splendid run in the World Cup which included four back to back hundreds. After hanging his boots earlier this year, his hunger and greed for runs seems to have no end. In the All Stars games held in USA he showed why he is the player that he is as he played two match defining knocks. His relentless pursuit for runs keeps on flowing as he leads the charts for the highest run getter in the Bangladesh Premier League. The inclusion of this genius will surely boost the Hurricane's chances of lifting the cup.

Chris Gayle (Melbourne Renegades) - One of the most enjoyable and loved characters on the cricket field. He broke loose with his gangnam style antics after Windies won the T20 World Cup in 2010. But that aside, he can cause a shiver down any bowlers spine with his ruthless batting. He holds the record for the most number of sixes in World cricket. Gayle's demolition and destructiveness has no bounds if he clicks and his team will surely hope that he does. With Gayle's T20 Prowess, the Renegades surely have an edge over the others.

Kevin Pietersen (Melbourne Stars) - South African born England player Pietersen might be shunned by the English team but that does not permit this man to sit quiet. Pietersen made an impactful debut in the BBL last season and ended up as the second highest run scorer. He adds value as a solid player who can adapt to come what may. His enterprising stroke play and innovative approach makes him unpredictable in this fast paced exciting format which is the T20. Pietersen will enter into the BBL on a high as he has been amongst the runs in the Ram Slam T20. He has heaped and piled runs including two centuries in six matches at an average of 97.75.

Jacques Kallis (Sydney Thunder) - Notably one of the best all-rounders that South Africa have produced. Kallis is far from done to what he has to offer to cricket. With the vast experience and years of cricket under his belt, he is the ideal campaigner in the time of a crisis. Both with bat and ball, he has been remarkable, though not so much with the ball, off lately but throw him into any situation and he will make sure to make a match out of it. He made a more than decent debut to his BBL career notching up three fifties and scalping five wickets for his side last season. Sydney Thunder's fortunes will do a world of good if Kallis gets going.

Adam Voges (Perth Scorchers) - At what age most people consider retirement, Voges has made a sensational comeback to cricket. His persistence has not gone unnoticed and now he is reaping the rewards of his hardwork. He scored his career best 269 not out against the Windies in the first Test and walloped them completely. He has been a vital cog in the middle order for the Aussies and Scorchers will expect the same from their skipper. Voges would want to translate his form into the BBL and lead the Scorchers to yet another title.

Sydney Sixers (Nathan Lyon) - This wily off-spinner has been Australia's ace spinner and has shouldered the spin department with flying colours. Lyon holds the record for the most wickets by an off-spinner for Australia in Tests. Gaza has been a consistent performer right throughout and is certain to weave a web around the batsmen's minds. Gazza as he his fondly known is not afraid to toss the ball up and in turn outfox the batsmen. The Sixers have a huge weapon in their armour when it comes to Lyon and expect him to rise to the occasion when it matters the most.

Mahela Jayawardene (Adelaide Strikers) - Sri Lanka suffered a huge blow when two giants of the game bid adieu in close proximity and one of them is prolific batsman Mahela Jayawardene. One of the greats of modern day cricket, he has had an illustrious career scoring 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84. A master of spin bowling and his zest in the inner ring while fielding is a testimony to the class that this guy brings to the table. Jayawardene was involved in many record breaking stands but one which is engrained in people's memories will be the 374 along with Sangakkara which also went onto be the highest partnership for any wicket in Tests. He will replace the injured Pollard who is ruled out due to injury.

James Hopes (Brisbane Heat) - A versatile cricketer with both bat and ball, Hopes is one underrated player who has contributed a great deal to almost most of the sides he has represented. He was a regular member of the Aussie squad in the early 2000s and had to fight for his place in the squad owing to high level of competitiveness. Hopes has added innumerable feathers to his hat as he lead his side Queensland to the Sheffield Shield title in 2012 and two Ryobi Cup trophy's. Hopes also holds the record for the most number of wickets in Australian domestic circuit for the 2014-15 season. His bowling and batting attributes will be the key aspect for Brisbane Heat's chances this BBL.