Mid IPL Analysis
The half way mark having been reached, and the tournament is as wide open as it was on day 1... quick look at the possible prospects as things heat up in May!
The IPL shifts gear into the 2nd half of the tournament, and despite some complaints of an overdose of cricket, the frenzy isn't dying down.
And so, with all the teams having played 5/6/7 matches , it's given us a fair chance to assess and analyse the teams. The IPL 3 charted a fairly expected course since the teams had been together for 2-3 years already. But with the Jan '11 auction, all the teams barring Chennai had a brand new look about themselves... and then of course there was the added excitement of having 2 new teams altogether, the Kochi Tuskers, And the warriors from Pune.
So, the time for gelling in, getting to know each other and experimenting is probably over, and so where do we stand now?
* MI lead the standings and have definately been the most impressive thus far. With Tendulkar and Malinga leading the two major departments, they appear well oiled... but doubts over their midlle and lower order are ... well 50-50 to say the least! Yet, they remain the favourites, but do remember the favourites have no divine right to win!
*CSK sneaked past RCB into 2nd with that away win over PWI, but they are a mere patch on their former selves... and this does come as a surprise, considering they manage to retain the crux of their team. Their away form has been far from good, and many questions remain unanswered. But with a genius of a captain in MSD, I would definately bet on them making it into the top4 if not the top 2!
*RCB at number 3!!!
The performance has been far from satisfactory, but we'll still take it! After getting off to a brilliant start , RCB went into a bit of a slump. But with the two back to back victories and a washed out match, we're seated in 3rd. Yet, the bowling is giving the think tank many a sleepless night. Is Zak burnt out after taking on tremendous workload thus far this season? With the leader of the pack struggling, the rest of the bowling (apart from Danny V) is looking toothless... but when the going gets tuff, the tuff get going... and Zaheer has shown us time and again that he subscribes to this philosophy!
On the batting front, Dilshan's form remains a worry, and neither has Tiwari lived upto his billing. But Kohli is still our silver lining, and trust Ab to rise to the occassion when required!
But it really comes down to our local(uncapped) players... the have a lot of promise, but let's get the fireworks going, hope Agrawal does a Valthaty!!!
Nevertheless, if we can pull up our socks, and acquire a bit of consistency and seal atleast 4-5 more victories we should make it through to the last 4 comfortably!
*KKR... A victory against DD in the current match can take them to 2!
... Either way, they came in as pre tournament favourites, but their form has been patchy! Unpredictability is their 2nd name, and betting on them going one way or the other requires a brave heart. But with talent like Gambhir, Pathan, ten Doeschate and Lee... it'd be a shame not to see them at the top!
*RR...
RR is yet another team who can never be written off, but considering their current status... they need to get things running quickly. But with just as many victories as RCB... they do pose a threat to our hopes!
*DC
Sangakkara lead team have faltered, with 4 losses they need to keep a tight leash on proceedings if they need to make the playoffs!
*KXIP... 3 WINS OUT OF 5!!!
They're in hot form no doubt, with Valthaty, Gilly and Marsh going great guns they've been both highly successful as well as entertaining... And finally Preity Zinta is all smiles! They're potentially heading for number two, thats provided they can nothch up the victories!
*KTK
New and to totally unpredictable... they're riding a roller coaster this tournament... but with inexperience telling, their chances seem slim!
*PWI
After an exploding start, they're quickly loosing steam... and lying one place above rock bottom surely belies their talent. Yuvi and his boys need to get back to winning ways quivkly, lest it might be too little too late!
*DD
Traditionally a strong team, the dare devillary has quite been lacking.
But we all know what Viru and Warner can dish out ( ask the poor KXIP bowlers)... On their day, they're ruthless, merciless and they can literally raise hell... But 2 wins of 7, and they're looking down the barrel!
But the best part about IPL 4 is that, still, it's numerically open to each and every team!
And so at the temperatures soar this May, get set for the sizzling action in the business end of the IPL!!!
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