The league stage of the eleventh season of IPL had its share of thrills. Some high quality batting, sensational fielding, some absolute blinders(some of the very best catches ever taken in cricket), masterful captaincy moves and some really good bowling, we have seen it all. Now, finally after six action-packed weeks, we have the four teams that will battle it out in the play-offs this season.
One out of SRH, CSK, KKR and RR will lay their hands on this beautiful trophy
Qualified teams
Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals are the teams that have made the play-offs, in that order.
Warner’s ban was a huge blow to Sunrisers Hyderabad, as he has been their best batsman as well as one of the best skippers over the past 2-3 seasons. But his replacement, in the form of Williamson, did a marvelous job, both in batting as well as in leading his troupes. He has worked a lot on his batting, so as to be successful in the T20 format, without losing his class one bit. Hitting 8 half-centuries and scoring at a strike rate of 143, he has been in prime form this season and has been their backbone.
Securing their play-off spot with 3 games to go was a testament to their domination in the initial weeks of the league. However, their bowling, which helped them defend some really low targets in three consecutive games, has taken a beating in the last 3 league games thereby resulting in their defeats. It would be interesting to see how they bounce back, that is if they do, against the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier.
Last 5 results: W W L L L(latest result)
Most Runs: Kane Williamson – 14 Inns 661 Runs 60.09 Avg 143.09 Strike Rate 8 50’s
Most Wickets: Sidharth Kaul – 14 Inns 17 Wkts 8 Economy Rate 19.4 Strike Rate
Making a comeback after 2 seasons, great things were expected from the Chennai Super Kings and they, as usual, did not disappoint. CSK have now qualified for the play-offs in each of the nine seasons they have been part of IPL. CSK somewhat tapered off in the latter stages of the league, but their performance in the initial stages ensured a top-2 finish without any hiccups.
Having Rayudu bat at the top proved to be a masterstroke by MS, he has a really long list of such bold moves! Rayudu has been simply sensational for CSK at the top and has earned himself an India recall in the process.
Last 5 results: W L W L W(latest result)
Most Runs: Ambati Rayudu – 14 Inns 586 Runs 45.07 Avg 153.40 Strike Rate 3 50’s 1 100’s
Most Wickets: Shardul Thakur – 11 Inns 14 Wkts 8.82 Economy Rate 17 Strike Rate
Kolkata Knight Riders have blown hot and cold throughout the league stage, but have just about peaked at the right time, winning 3 on the bounce just before the knockouts. The KKR squad lacked depth, which was amply evident post the auctions. With the smallest squad this season, KKR had banked on 3-4 players to deliver the goods game after game.
Having lost out on the services of their premier fast bowler, Starc, reaching the play-offs looked challenging. Add to it, Russell and Lynn’s not-so-fit bodies and their history with injuries, not a lot of experts gave them a chance to go past the league stage. However, having played almost the same side throughout the season, barring a few forced changes because of injuries and the conundrum of the foreign pace bowler, KKR have done a pretty decent job.
The starts Narine has given them at the top has gone a long way in taking the pressure off the other batsmen. Add to it, his 16 wickets as well, there is little surprise that he has been the MVP this season.
Last 5 results: L L W W W(latest result)
Most Runs: Dinesh Kartik – 14 Inns 438 Runs 54.75 Avg 149.48 Strike Rate 1 50’s
Most Wickets: Sunil Narine – 14 Inns 16 Wkts 7.62 Economy Rate 19.8 Strike Rate
Rajasthan Royals became the fourth side to qualify for the play-offs. They had to wait until the very last game to know their fate, as RR’s qualification hinged on a couple of other results. With DD beating MI and KXIP losing to CSK, RR was ensured of a play-off spot.
Their season suffered a jolt, with Smith’s 1-year ban, even before it began. Rahane replaced Smith as the skipper and he has done a pretty good job leading the side to the play-offs. Having lost 6 of their 10 games, RR needed to win atleast 3 out of the next 4 to stand a chance to be in the play-offs, and they did win 3!
Buttler’s promotion to the top changed RR’s fortunes, a lot of credit needs to be given to the mind behind this decision. Once back to his favoured opening slot, Buttler was simply unstoppable, scoring runs for fun and in the process equaling Sehwag’s record of five consecutive 50’s in IPL. He, almost single-handedly, won them the games against CSK and MI, being at the crease till the very end and scoring in excess of 90 on both the occasions, while chasing. It’s a shame that he would not be a part of RR in the play-offs, as he has joined the national team ahead of their series against Pakistan.
Last 5 results: W W W L W(latest result)
Most Runs: Jos Buttler – 13 Inns 548 Runs 54.8 Avg 155.24 Strike Rate 5 50’s
Most Wickets: Jofra Archer – 9 Inns 13 Wkts 8.38 Economy Rate 16 Strike Rate
If momentum is anything to go by, KKR have the most of it, having won their last three games, while RR have won four out of their last five. These two teams, however, will be up against each other, in the eliminator, on Wednesday. The team that loses can say bye-bye to the league and the one that wins needs to play the loser of the first qualifier. While, SRH and CSK, by virtue of finishing in the top-2, will get two cracks to get to the final, the first of which will be at Wankhede, today at 7 pm. The team that wins gets to the final while the one that loses, plays the winner of the eliminator.