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Over the past few days, a lot of chatter has revolved around how the IPL was allegedly the decisive factor in the 5th Test between India and England being called off.
Now, all of India’s UK-bound players have joined their respective IPL teams bio-bubbles, meaning that those murmurs have perhaps taken a back seat because, well, the biggest T20 competition in the world is a stone’s throw away.
Before the IPL was suspended in the summer, the Delhi Capitals showcased their extraordinary strength and marched to the top of the IPL 2021 points table. Chennai Super Kings, wounded after a dismal 2020 outing, looked close to their best too and solidified second spot.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, defied expectations and were vindicated in the trust they placed in Glenn Maxwell, ultimately propelling themselves to third, just behind CSK on Net Run Rate (NRR).
Mumbai Indians, in consonance with previous editions, endured a slow start but did enough post the Chennai leg to bag a place in the top four, with the Punjab Kings (6th) and the Rajasthan Royals rounding off the top six.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad, rather uncharacteristically, were languishing at the foot of the table, whereas the Kolkata Knight Riders – another side plenty expected to compete for the title, giving them ample company.
However, the unexpected break has changed the dynamics of IPL 2021 quite a bit. Not only has the star cast been tweaked, the second half is slated to take place in the UAE and in conditions that are significantly different to India.
With just a few days remaining until the resumption of the IPL, the time could be ripe to delve into predictions and analyze where the teams, armed with new weapons in their arsenal, might finish come the end of the league stages.
#8 Kolkata Knight Riders
Over the past couple of years, the Kolkata Knight Riders have chopped and changed quite a lot. In 2020, Dinesh Karthik acted as the captain before that idea was shelved mid-way. Eoin Morgan was appointed in his stead and even though he wasn’t expected to effect an instant turnaround, plenty hoped for him to buck the KKR (recent) trend of mediocrity in IPL 2021.
Unfortunately, nothing of the sort materialized, meaning that KKR are the seventh-placed side at the moment. More worryingly, though, several of their components have begun coming apart from the seams.
Morgan – a vocal advocate of fearless white-ball batting, has seen his troops present the most circumspect and tentative version of themselves. Subsequently, KKR were unable to put up match-winning totals on the board, meaning that the burden fell on the bowlers.
Pat Cummins has opted out of the second leg of IPL 2021
In the first half, there were glimpses that KKR’s bowling line-up was adept at handling that challenge. Now, though, with Pat Cummins no longer available, Kuldeep Yadav hardly playing any competitive cricket, Harbhajan Singh being brought out of the cold storage and the likes of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Prasidh Krishna and Shivam Mavi still to live up to their billing, they might find themselves in a massive pickle.
While they can still call upon Andre Russell, Karthik, Morgan, Shubman Gill and Sunil Narine – players who can win them one-off games, they seem to lack the cohesion and togetherness required to stitch together a string of victories in the IPL.
Apart from that, KKR will play 3 of their remaining 7 matches at Abu Dhabi – a venue that aids the spinners much more than Dubai and Sharjah. Though they have the spinners to exploit such assistance, their batting, as was the case at Chennai, might struggle to keep up with the opposition.
Hence, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if KKR hobble towards a last-placed finish and ring in the changes before the 2022 edition of the IPL.
You can also check out the IPL 2021 schedule here.
#7 Punjab Kings
During the initial stages of IPL 2021, the Punjab Kings looked like an outfit capable of throwing a spanner in the oppositions’ works. However, as time passed, they fell back to their old habits – habits that forced them to produce an insipid display, just days after being close to their best.
Consistency hasn’t always been the Kings’ closest ally and that particular element marred the first leg of their IPL campaign too. And, with three months having transpired since, there is not a lot to suggest that their fortunes will sway for the better. Not just because they are missing a few key players, but also because they seem to have the knack of crumbling when push comes to shove.
On paper, the Kings have enough batting might. Chris Gayle, Fabian Allen, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal qualify as genuine match-winners. Apart from Mayank and Rahul, though, every other batter has blown hot and cold, meaning that the Indian pair has often had to drop anchor, which in a T20 contest, is hardly ideal.
On the bowling front, the Kings look comparatively weaker than they did in April/May. The Australian duo of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith are not a part of the squad and while Adil Rashid has been added to the mix, the rest of the bowlers, namely Chris Jordan and Mohammed Shami, have a tendency to leak runs.
Additionally, the Kings, much like it happened in the first leg of IPL 2021, might find it hard to optimize their resources. During the aforementioned phase, they almost always played with either an extra batter or an extra bowler. Though Allen could help them with their balance, they just seem like an IPL outfit that lacks conviction – an aspect that could ultimately haunt them.
While that, in no way, implies that the Kings won’t be able to upstage any opposition in the IPL, it indicates that an IPL play-offs spot might just be out of their grasp again!
#6 Sunrisers Hyderabad
One of the biggest surprises of IPL 2021 was the woefulness of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign. Their batters huffed and puffed on the sluggish surfaces at Chennai and though there was some slight respite at Delhi, they were still well off the pace.
From that perspective alone, SRH would hope that a change in venue (3 games at Dubai and 2 at Sharjah) brings about an alteration in luck. The only problem, though, is that they have to do so without Jonny Bairstow and with a middle order that seems as porous as ceramic.
Moreover, there seems to be a power struggle at the franchise – something that began when David Warner said he wasn’t consulted on Manish Pandey’s exclusion and one that assumed alarming proportions when Warner was sacked mid-way through the season and dropped from the XI altogether.
Thus, SRH are a side in turmoil and there are no two ways about it. Fortunately, they still have capable match-winners at their disposal, meaning that they might not be as abysmal as they were in the first leg of IPL 2021. Yet, with them having dug an almighty grave for themselves, they might find it tough to make the IPL play-offs too.
When speaking about individual quality, none of SRH’s players create as much of a splash as Rashid Khan. The leg-spinner has been bowling superbly and a lot could rest on the Afghan. Similarly, Bhuvneshwar Kumar would want to put together an injury-free IPL campaign, whereas T Natarajan would want to show India what they are missing.
Kane Williamson, especially in Bairstow’s absence, might morph into the batting lynchpin, while there could also be an unlikely recall for Warner. However, it would be a stretch to ask the duo to win SRH consecutive matches because, well, they effectively need to win all their remaining IPL fixtures to stand a chance of making the top four.
In an ideal world, SRH would’ve wanted Warner and Williamson at the top of the order and an adaptable finisher to round off the batting unit. But Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar, who aren’t the finishers SRH would’ve crafted in their fantasy world but are the finishers they have, might find those boots too big to fill.
Hence, there isn’t a lot to suggest that SRH would turn things around drastically in the second leg of the IPL. Yet, they might still have a bit left in their tank to spoil the party of those around them and of course, get off the foot of the table.
#5 Rajasthan Royals
During IPL 2021’s first leg, the Rajasthan Royals looked a side capable of rattling the odd cage. To an extent, they even did so and hauled themselves up to fifth spot, largely riding on the brilliance of Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson.
Interestingly enough, for a team that was already missing Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, they’ve somehow been dented further in the resumption leg of the IPL, with Buttler not available. Samson has also not played a lot of cricket since a wretched tour to Sri Lanka, whereas Rahul Tewatia and Shivam Dube haven’t played any sort of cricket since the IPL was suspended.
Their bowling, especially in Archer’s absence also lacked the requisite oomph to trouble IPL batting units, while their spin department, which might assume greater importance in the UAE, didn’t seem to possess as much wicket-taking potential in the first leg.
However, the Royals, unlike a lot of other IPL outfits, have used the off-season to plug a few holes, meaning that they have, despite the non-availability of several key players, might have a more well-rounded and in-form team than they did in April/May.
Tabraiz Shamsi – the top-ranked T20I bowler in the world – has entered the fray and should add a bit more incision in the middle overs, whereas Mustafizur Rahman, who has been stunning lately, should be able to thwart the opposition batters at the death.
Glenn Phillips, meanwhile, could act as the belligerent option the Royals crave in the middle order – a role that he has performed for New Zealand and more recently, the Barbados Royals. Evin Lewis has also been in sparkling touch for the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the Royals might be tempted to unleash the left-hander in the remainder of the IPL.
The biggest positive, however, could be the inclusion of one Liam Livingstone, who is arguably the most destructive T20 batter at present. Not only has the Englishman batted in a variety of positions for England and the Birmingham Phoenix, he has done so with distinction, meaning that the Royals might not miss Buttler and Stokes as much during the resumption leg of the IPL.
Having said that, there is a slight caveat attached to the Royals’ fortune simply because they’ve not played together as a team previously. Though that might not matter in the short-term, it could just be the factor that pulls them down towards the fag end of the IPL.
Nevertheless, the Royals may just be the most exciting team to watch in this leg of the IPL.
#4 Mumbai Indians
Over the past couple of IPL seasons, no outfit has been as dominant as the Mumbai Indians. They’ve pulled victories out of the fire and have been pretty invincible. However, at the start of IPL 2021, the defending champions portrayed a few frailties plenty felt didn’t exist.
While it could be attributed to the attritional tracks at Chennai, the batting, especially with Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma not firing, seemed to lack the usual firepower. That, though, might not count for a lot, considering Mumbai play 4 of their remaining 7 matches on truer pitches (2 apiece at Dubai and Sharjah).
Additionally, if batters of the ilk of de Kock, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav get going, there isn’t a lot the opposition can do anyway. And the same rings true for Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
Having said that, Mumbai might have to counter a bit of fatigue, considering most of their A-listed cricketers have played a lot of cricket lately. Bumrah, Rohit and Suryakumar, at the time of writing, are yet to come out of their hard quarantine post the England tour, whereas de Kock and Pollard will be arriving just days prior to their fixture against the Chennai Super Kings on 19th September.
There might also be a temptation to rest Bumrah a tad, especially with a T20 World Cup on the horizon, meaning that Mumbai might pick and choose their moments to deploy their strongest eleven.
Can MI make it three IPL titles in a row?
With the quality in their ranks, though, qualification might not be as much of an issue and perhaps Mumbai could approach this IPL leg in that manner too. They might want to solidify their place in the top four before experimenting and keeping their players fresh for the final assault on the IPL crown.
In the process, they might not be able to scale the dizzying heights the IPL fraternity has become accustomed to. That, however, doesn’t mean that they’ll be weaker than most other IPL sides.
#3 Chennai Super Kings
Back in IPL 2020, the Chennai Super Kings looked discernibly out of rhythm and sync. On flat UAE pitches, their batting approach was termed archaic and their propensity to consolidate before clicking into gear was cast under the scanner.
Hence, when CSK rocked up at IPL 2021 and unfurled a combination of attacking flair, often prioritizing creativity over calculation, plenty were taken aback. That, though, made CSK a force to be reckoned with, meaning that they were one of the more impressive teams in the first leg of IPL 2021.
However, as was the case in 2020, they now have to contend with an enormous gap – something that hampers CSK considerably, keeping in mind that Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina and of course, MS Dhoni don’t play any competitive cricket apart from the IPL.
Consequently, there could be a situation where CSK are slower off the blocks and that they don’t generate as much momentum as they did in the IPL in April/May.
Not just because their bowlers might struggle in slightly unhelpful conditions, but also because their experienced campaigners might feel the pinch of back-to-back games. The fixtures at Sharjah, in particular, could act as a banana skin, considering their bowling attack will be tested to the hilt.
Fortunately, they also have a core group of players who have been in action recently, meaning that they could form the crux of everything good CSK do. Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur distinguished themselves in England, whereas Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis and Imran Tahir have been busy playing the CPL.
Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, despite not enjoying fruitful red-ball summers, are still vital cogs in CSK’s wheel and would be wanting to do well, especially with a T20 World Cup looming.
Furthermore, with 10 points (from 7 games) already in the bag and a play-off spot closer than it was during IPL 2020, one would not want to bet against them qualifying.
Dhoni’s Last Dance (potentially) warrants it anyway, doesn’t it?
#2 Royal Challengers Bangalore
Ever since the IPL began, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have managed to generate an enormous amount of hype. They’ve almost always had the players capable of springing spectators out of their seats. The presence of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli hasn’t impeded that endeavor too.
Rather remarkably, though, they remain one of only three active sides to have not won the IPL, meaning that the pressure has firmly been amped up ahead of the resumption leg of the IPL. That it comes in a backdrop where people are discussing the credentials of Kohli and Rohit as white-ball captains has only added another layer of intrigue.
Akin to numerous other IPL outfits, RCB will also have to contend with the absence of a few of their overseas imports. However, like the Royals, RCB have done exceptionally to replace the departing players and have somehow managed to add more strings to their bow.
Wanindu Hasaranga, in particular, stands out because, well, he is perhaps one of the three best leg-spinners on the planet. Not only can the Sri Lankan contribute with the ball, he is also a dashing lower-order batter – something that might alleviate RCB’s fears of having a top-heavy unit.
Tim David is another magnificent acquisition, considering the value he brings to the fore as a hard-hitting all-rounder, whereas George Garton could provide RCB with an X-Factor, if Kohli can utilize him well during the IPL.
Can Kohli end his and RCB's IPL hoodoo?
As far as the existing players are concerned, both de Villiers and Kohli would want to end their IPL hoodoo. Maxwell would also want to illustrate that he can sustain his performances through an IPL season, whereas Yuzvendra Chahal, especially after his omission from India’s T20 World Cup squad, might have something to prove.
Thus, it seems that the stars are aligning in RCB’s favour. Not just from the personnel perspective, but also because they will be playing a lot of their IPL matches at Dubai (3) and Sharjah (2) – grounds that should suit their style of play.
Maybe then, it could be time to start whispering that four-word phrase, which roughly translates to “this year, the cup is ours”.
#1 Delhi Capitals
Before the 2021 edition of the IPL began, the Delhi Capitals were dealt a major blow when Shreyas Iyer was ruled out for the entirety of the season. Rishabh Pant assumed charge in his stead and performed admirably, meaning that the Capitals perched themselves atop the IPL points table.
From that viewpoint alone, it seems that the Capitals have tided over their tempestuous phase and with Shreyas back in the mix and Pant excelling as captain, they can be even better – rather scarily for the rest of the IPL pack.
The inclusion of Shreyas could have major implications for Steve Smith, who didn’t set the world ablaze but did a job during the first phase of the IPL. However, in Sam Billings and Shimron Hetmyer, the Capitals have enough T20 pedigree to replace the Australian.
Chris Woakes’ non-availability might’ve caused a furrowed brow or two within most camps. The Capitals, though, have the luxury of bringing in Anrich Nortje and reestablishing the Kagiso Rabada-Nortje nexus that served them fabulously during IPL 2020.
Apart from that, the Capitals also have two of India’s first-choice T20 spinners. While Ravichandran Ashwin might not have been a part of that discussion a week ago, he certainly is now. Axar Patel, too, has been efficient if not extravagant, whenever called upon.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin, it's time to set the record straight
Avesh Khan, on the other hand, would be wanting to make up for lost time, having injured himself during India’s tour to England, whereas Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav would want to prove that there is plenty of fight left in the veteran warhorses.
Thus, there seems to be no glaring deficiency in the Capitals’ setup and if they play to their potential, they could prolong their spell at the top of the IPL points table.
However, as has been the case with so many IPL teams previously, they might want to guard against complacency, considering that could be their biggest foe in the resumption leg of the IPL.
Yet, there is no denying that the Capitals are the team to beat in the IPL and if things go to plan, they might even be quietly harboring ambitions of a maiden IPL triumph.
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