As the Indian Premier League (IPL) reaches its halfway point, Arab News delivers a report card on all eight franchises.
Mumbai Indians
For the defending champions, the rot began in the tournament opener, as Chennai’s Dwayne Bravo pulled off a heist with the penultimate ball. Since then, they have lost two matches off the final ball, and endured another final-over loss as well. Against Hyderabad, they were routed by 31 when chasing just 119. Will need to be near-perfect in their upcoming games to come back into the playoff picture.
Key fact: Rohit Sharma, so often the batting talisman as well as the captain, has 46 runs in Mumbai’s five losses.
Delhi Daredevils
Having spent 28 million rupees ($420,000) to bring the 36-year-old Gautam Gambhir back from Kolkata to lead the side, Delhi have seen that gamble backfire. Gambhir stepped down six games in, and was promptly dropped as Shreyas Iyer, the new captain, smashed a 40-ball 93 to get the season back on track. Still an uphill battle to reach the playoffs for only the second time in nine seasons.
Key fact: With Mohammed Shami leaking runs, Delhi appear to have found an able sidekick for the brilliant Trent Boult. England’s Liam Plunkett has 3 for 41 from his two matches so far.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Have already conceded more than 200 three times this season, with not one bowler having an economy rate under eight. The spin twins, Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar, have made minimal impact, and Virat Kohli’s faith in Corey Anderson’s death-overs bowling has not been vindicated by an economy rate of 13.26. Other than Kohli, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Mandeep Singh, there have been no runs to speak of either. Another confused and underwhelming campaign?
Key fact: Sarfaraz Khan, the third player retained before the auction in January, has a top score of 6 in three innings.
Rajasthan Royals
Maddeningly inconsistent until now, their season could well be transformed by the return to fitness of Jofra Archer, who took 3 for 22 in his only outing. Sanju Samson has been a revelation, but Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have yet to show their best. The lesser-known Indian players like Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham have produced timely performances as they stay in the hunt for the last playoff place.
Key fact: D’Arcy Short, one of the stars of the last Big Bash season, managed just 65 in 67 balls before the axe finally fell.
Kolkata Knight Riders
An up-and-down season has left them mid-table, and outsiders to repeat the title wins of 2012 and 2014. The mystery spin duo of Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav has not quite clicked and the pace bowlers have conceded runs by the bucket load. Andre Russell has been sensational with the bat, but needs to find his bowling straps soon.
Key fact: Mitchell Johnson has 2 for 102 from his 11 overs, and was carted for 42 in his last game. The menace of the 2013-14 Ashes has been dulled by time.
Kings XI Punjab
The real story of the season so far, with R Ashwin’s captaincy, the coaching of Brad Hodge and the mentorship of Virender Sehwag melding a squad of disparate talents. Chris Gayle has made a sensational return to form, and Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Zadran has outbowled Ashwin. The axing of Yuvraj Singh, the local hero, has revealed a ruthless streak as well.
Key fact: KL Rahul, who Bangalore opted not to retain after he missed the 2017 season through injury, has smashed 268 from 157 balls, a strike-rate better than even Gayle.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Even without David Warner, who led them to the title in 2016, Hyderabad have been challenging for the top spot from the first round. And despite Rashid Khan taking real punishment in two games, the bowling line-up has the ability to defend any total, even without the injured Billy Stanlake. However, the lack of a batsman who can play a Russell-like innings may cost them in the latter stages.
Key fact: Basil Thampi has 4 for 18 from two matches after finally being given his chance. The Indian selectors are also watching his progress.
Chennai Super Kings
After two seasons in the wilderness, they have won four nail-biters to storm to the top of the table. Even the shifting of matches to Pune, away from their Chepauk den, because of political strife has not dampened the mood. MS Dhoni is batting as well as he ever has, while Ambati Rayudu, once Indian cricket’s blue-eyed boy, is having a stellar season. Despite no single bowler standing out, Dhoni has found a way to manage his resources effectively.
Key fact: You have to go back to 2013 for the last time Dhoni made such an impression with the bat — 461 runs at a strike-rate of 162.89. With 235 from 147 balls so far, he is well on course to match that.
