Mumbai: ‘India Ka Tyohaar’ as it has been called, the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League has been one joy ride, with twists and turns, edge-of-the-seat-nail biting moments and the roars of fans decked up in team colours cheering from the stands, has made all the encounters in the IPL mouth-watering and a thrill for everyone to watch.
Play Hard, Play Fair - Spirit of Cricket at #IPL @DaleSteyn62 @parthivpatelm https://t.co/k7rHmwlkWP
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 17, 2015
Now as we reach the business end of India’s cash rich-tournament, after a dramatic last day of the group stage between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, here are the top four teams – Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals.
Check out: Points table
All these four teams will be gearing up for the knockout stages that’s all set to kick off with top two teams CSK taking on MI at the latter’s own fortress, Wankhede. The winner of this match advances directly to the finals while all is not lost for the losing side.
The next fixture – the eliminator, will be between the third and fourth placed side, in this case RCB and RR in Pune. The loser of this game will be knocked out while the winner faces the loser of the first eliminator in the second qualifier.
The winner will then proceed to the final and face the winner of the first qualifier at the Eden Gardens on May 24.
Know your side
Chennai Super Kings
With nine wins under their belt, Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have been oozing with confidence. Call it luck or pure skill and talent, all of their plans have been clicking so far in the IPL and that too, in all departments – batting, bowling and fielding.
CSK will miss the services of dashing opener and Kiwi star Brendon McCullum when they face MI on May 19, in what promises to be a no holds barred approach for both the teams.
CSK will rely heavily on Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis and Dhoni to provide the much needed firepower whilst in the bowling department, Ashish Nehra, Ishwar Pandey, Dwayne Bravo should bring out their ace game if the boys want to make it to yet another final.
Mumbai Indians
It has been a very intriguing trend for the Nita Ambani owned Mumbai Indians side. During the nascent stages of the tournament, Rohit Shama’s team didn’t seem to have that arsenal needed to fire in the tournament, but after gaining winning momentum, there was no stopping MI.
Kiwi all-rounder Mitchell McClenaghan has played an important role in the success of the team. Mumbai will start favourites during the first qualifier, given the massive home advantage, but off late the Men in Blue have been quite sloppy in the field.
Batting has seemed to have clicked for the Ricky Ponting coached side, while Lasith Malinga looks to have finally found his mojo in the tournament.
Fielding coach Jonty Rhodes should toil an extra bit with the boys, as facing CSK, even the slightest of errors could prove costly.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
On a lighter note, many in the sporting fraternity have sarcastically stated whether the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore should actually be called ‘Rain’ Challengers Bangalore, as for most of their encounters at home in Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the rain Gods have played spoilsport for Kohli and the boys.
Check out: Rain brings good times for lovebirds Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma
But that has not dampened the spirits of one of the IPL’s most star studded batting line-up and in particular, the ‘Big Three’ – Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
RCB did look a bit shaky in the start, but ever since the arrival of Australian star speedster Mitchell Starc, the Daniel Vettori coached side has looked a much more balanced outfit.
Young cheeky Sarfaraz Khan has been a revelation for his side, while Yuzvendra Chahal with the ball has certainly impressed.
Fielding has been one of RCB’s best performers, while consistency still lacks for the team. But on the day, if RCB manages to click they can be very lethal.
Rajasthan Royals
Mentored by one of the coolest customers in the sport, hailed as ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid, Rajasthan Royals have looked the most consistent side in the tournament after CSK.
(Photo: PTI)
Strong contender for the Purple Cap, Ajinkya Rahane along with skipper Shane Watson have constantly starred for RR.
Another side that has twice faced no-result thanks to the rain, RR have won seven off the 14 league games they played. Nurturing young talent, the side boasts of emerging stars such as Deepak Hooda and Karun Nair.
After taking over the reins from Watson, Steven Smith has captained his side with a great deal of responsibility, leading from the front both on the field and at the crease.
Pace off the ball has done major part of the job for Royals, Tambe, Stuart Binny, Hooda chipping in have all played crucial roles in the team. RR will have to up the ante against a dangerous RCB side to advance in the tournament.
(*Photos: BCCI)
