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IPL 2019 is entering an important phase where each and every game will decide the fate of a team. It all started with a low scoring affair at the Chepauk on March 23, and the tournament has produced some exciting games so far.
We have already witnessed last ball finishes, super over, Mankading, brilliant hundreds, the best bowling spell in IPL history, no-ball controversy and what not. But one thing that hasn’t changed in the IPL is the form of Chennai Super Kings. With six wins in seven games, CSK are once again off to a blistering start and are currently at the top of the table.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore are rock-bottom in the points table, with six defeats in six games. Another defeat in their next game will make it the worst start ever by any team in IPL history. Rajasthan Royals too are having a poor season with just one win in six games. Though other teams are well and truly in contention for a playoff place, a few are clear favourites to finish in the top-four.
Without much ado, let’s predict which IPL teams will finish in the top-four this season.
#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad
The 2018 runners-up are currently fifth in the points table with three wins from six games. They lost their opening game of the season but bounced back to win three on a trot. However, they have lost their last two matches.
David Warner and Jonny Bairstow lead the run-scoring charts for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The opening pair have played some stellar knocks this season but apart from them, no other SRH batsmen have managed to show consistency.
Though Vijay Shankar has shown a lot of promise, he has failed on quite a few occasions. Also, the form of Yusuf Pathan and Manish Pandey has been woeful this campaign. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have been brilliant with the ball but Bhuvneshwar Kumar has struggled.
Though Kings XI Punjab have won a game more than Sunrisers at the moment, SRH’s experience will take them through to the playoffs.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL points table 2019, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.
#3 Mumbai Indians
Starting the season with a defeat against Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians are back in the contention for a playoff spot with three wins in a row in April. After a poor start, Kieron Pollard has played a couple of match-winning knocks for Mumbai and the one against Kings XI Punjab was simply sensational. Alzarri Joseph’s 6/12 - the best individual bowling record in the IPL - too has inspired Mumbai Indians.
However, the form of Rohit Sharma has been a worry for Mumbai. The vice-captain of India’s limited-overs team has struggled for runs this season. He also missed the last game because of an injury. Hardik Pandya has been good and Suryakumar Yadav too has played a couple of important knocks.
Mumbai Indians are third in the points table with four wins in six games. They have a habit of peaking in at the right time and they are on course for a top-four finish this season.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL 2019 schedule, news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.
#2 Kolkata Knight Riders
One word to summarize KKR’s season is ‘Andre Russell’. The Caribbean star has been phenomenal for the Kolkata Knight Riders every time he has walked on to the pitch to bat this season. He has single-handedly won games for his franchise and he is any bowlers' worst nightmare at the moment.
With four wins in six games, the Dinesh Karthik-led team are second in the points table at the moment. They have played well up until now and only Chennai Super Kings have been able to beat them comprehensively in IPL 2019.
Kolkata have a destructive top order in Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, and Nitish Rana. Karthik provides stability in the middle-order, while Russell does the finishing job perfectly. Prasidh Krishna has been impressive with the ball and Piyush Chawla too has produced some good spells. With a well-settled team, expect KKR to finish in the top-four.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL purple cap, points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap and fantasy tips.
#1 Chennai Super Kings
The defending champions are on a mission this season with six wins in seven games. Their only defeat came against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. MS Dhoni and company started the campaign with a thumping win over RCB at the Chepauk and have rarely set a foot wrong ever since.
They have defeated Rajasthan Royals twice and also got the better of Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. Spinners have played a huge part in Chennai’s success so far with the likes of Imran Tahir, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja bowling well in tandem.
Chennai Super Kings have finished in the top-four every season, and they are once again in the driver’s seat to make it to the playoffs. Dhoni would want to finish in the top-two to have the luxury of getting an extra opportunity in case they slip up in qualifier one.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL orange cap, points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap and fantasy tips.
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