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Written by Jatin Thakkar
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Friday, 15 May 2009 08:11 |
Here's a quick look at where each team stands, what they need to get to the semis, and how likely it is that they will get there.
CSK look strong on paper but have a weak underbelly in their middle order. They might make it to the semis on the strength of Hayden's broad bat, but to go further they need Morkel and Oram to fire, fire big, and fire NOW! A few tactical changes may be worth considering. Hayden's opening partner, whether it be Vijay or Patel, are generally only making up the numbers. It maybe worth getting Morkel to open so he gets time in the middle and finds form, and playing an extra hitter at no.6 or 7.
BRC are again on the 'start' part of their 'start-stutter-start' run in the IPL, and having waylaid CSK, they will now be upbeat and ready to face the Daredevils and Chargers. They will have to beat the law of averages as well as flush out the infinitely more powerful teams. Ross Taylor might just provide the X factor needed for such mighty conquests but don't bet on seeing the good Dr.Mallaya sipping beer in an oranger jersey in the dressing room for the semis.
KKR, well, I have tried thinking about this for a while but all the cliches have been used up, and there is only one way to put this - they are beyond repair. They still play a major role in the IPL, and all their attempts to salvage pride through some upsets could hurt the teams fighting for the semi final spot. But let's be clear, this team has grossly under-achieved and the major reason they are not winning now is their low confidence and we-are-doomed-anyway-so-screw-it morale. DC, CSK and RR are yet to play them. The KKR win is bound to come along at some point - by the law averages and the fact that they aren't an untalented unit at all by any chance. It will be interesting to see who bears the brunt of it, when it does eventually come.
KXIP may stand low currently in the table and with DD, DC and CSK being the next three opponents doesn't make their life easier. But with Lee back, Yuvraj clicking and Pathan chipping in regularly, their win-everything-in-sight requirement doesn't seem utterly impossible. Even two out of three might just do it, if they are really really lucky and Priety Zinta's distributed sufficient prasad.
MI surely haven't forgotten their last season's habit of choking when things went down to the wire. And if this self-inflicted handicap wasn't enough, they now need to win both their matches, against CSK and DD to get through. Given how their nerves are behaving currently, the outlook isn't particularly bright.
DC, the one team that has looked like giving the Daredevils a serious shove, has swung drunkenly between invincibility and complete vulnerability shown ups and downs without. They still aren't entirely out of the woods yet, and need to keeping winning for a bit longer. But the team is strong and confident, and with KKR, KXIP and BRC yet to face them, they should go through. Though KXIP and BRC are in a similar zone as them in terms of points, and a virtual quarter-final may be on the cards.
RR ride on their three king-pins: Warny, Pathan and Jadeja. And finally, they are all firing together. The zing is back, so is the team spirit, following yesterday's win. Everything boils down to how far can the adrenaline that Warne keeps pumping in carry them, but a remarkable, come-from-behind title-wining run is not entirely out of sight.
DD are on a high and may even want to lose a game just to ward off the law of averages. But teams have defied the law - Australia hasn't lost a world cup in ages now, and the strength and balance the Daredevils have is Australianesque. A side that can keep players like Sehwag, vettori on the bench and still inflict ruthless mayhem should be favourites for the title. KKR, KXIP, BRC and MI face them with the last three fighting for a semi-final spot, so potentially tight games ahead.
(Click here to know more about Jatin)
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Last Updated on Friday, 15 May 2009 08:34 |
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Points Table
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Teams
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M
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W
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NRR
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Pts
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| DD |
14
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10
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0.30
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20
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CSK
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14
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8
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0.94
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16
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BRC
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14
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8
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-0.19
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16
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DC
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14
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7
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0.20
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14
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( Click here for complete table)
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