The last four matches of the IPL have gone against the team that was leading, thus creating a situation where even after 6 matches, every team has a reasonably good chance of making the semi-finals. Only 3 points separate the teams placed at No. 3 through No. 8. Even the hapless Bangalore Royal Challengers and Kolkata Knight Riders have a chance! Let’s take a quick look at each of the matches.
First, Bangalore reversed their 4-match losing streak by pipping Kolkata in a low-scoring match. Each team looked like they wanted to throw the match away, a contest that Kolkata won when their opponents needed 10 runs off the final over and they gave it away by some shoddy bowling. Except for a few of the bowlers, both teams looks extremely shabby in this match.
The second match was similar as Mumbai Indians chasing one of the lowest scores of this IPL against Kings XI Punjab succumbed by 3 runs. In the final over, Mumbai required 12 runs and Yusuf Abdulla held his nerve to restrict Mumbai. For the second time this IPL, we see a bowler giving away a wide in the final over, but getting the job done.
Deccan Chargers were winning everything in sight and Delhi Daredevils were recovering from their surprise defeat by Rajasthan. But an upset resulted when Delhi’s increasingly sharp bowling restricted Deccan to 148/9 and their batting recovered after early losses to take them to a comfortable win. Did Deccan peak too soon?
The fourth match saw the same old story of Rajasthan’s fragile batting mocking their bowlers for even trying to restrict their opponents. It almost seems that any score is difficult for the Rajasthan Royals to chase. Chennai Super Kings get a lifeline after sharing the bottom with Bangalore and Kolkata.
At this stage, the Top Four (DC, DD, KXP, MI) have played 5 matches each and the Bottom Four (CSK, RR, BRC, KKR) 6 matches each. The next two days will feature each of the Top Four taking on the Bottom Four. And if somehow the latter win all the matches, the IPL is wide open as the Points difference becomes less relevant.
Although it is silly to make predictions at this juncture when things are still very much in flux, we can make the following assessments:
- While it is theoretically possible for Kolkata and Bangalore to reach the semi-finals, they do not seem capable enough. They have had the most churn of all the teams employing 18-20 players each in a handful of matches. They still don’t have their game together.
- Unless Rajasthan’s batting improves significantly in the next few games, you can pretty much write them off. It is true that bowling wins matches, but only if the batting is at least average.
- Mumbai seems to be the most well-balanced team. They have had the least churn and their stars have clicked. Their batting and bowling are among the best in the tournament. Both their defeats have been close and because of mismanaged chases. They should be able to fix that.
- I fear that Deccan may not be able to sustain the momentum. For one, Fidel Edwards will be leaving the team to join West Indies in England. And the batting order seems a bit top-heavy. I don’t see Deccan easily coming back from a top order collapse.
By Sunday evening, we will get a better idea of the general trends or, if there are more surprises, we will have no idea at all! Hopefully rain will not play spoilsport. I do not see any surprises on Friday, but Saturday is a different matter.
Don’t forget to participate in our IPL discussions on our website.
