We are about a fortnight into IPL, and the tournament has produced rousing fare, arguably the most exciting in the past decade. A majority of matches have seen extremely close contests, with quite a few upset results already.
Top-notch teams have suffered big setbacks. Defending champions have CSK lost 3 matches on the trot, five times champions Mumbai Indians were humbled in their opening two matches, first by Delhi Capitals, then by Rajasthan Royals. This explains the high volatility in the points table, currently headed by Rajasthan Royals who have been in rampaging form with Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad the laggards. However, given the topsy-tuvy nature of this format, the scenario could change dramatically over the next week or so.
Though located in the middle band on the points table presently, RCB is another high-profile team which has had a tough start. Of the two matches they’ve played in. As I write this piece), the scoreline for them reads one win and one defeat. On the face of it, this may seem a decent performance but a closer examination of the score cards throws up a problematic picture for the team. Against Punjab Kings RCB failed to defend a whopping 205. In the next match against KKR, they huffed and puffed to a last gasp win chasing a modest 128.
In bowling and in batting RCB have looked uninspiring and, hardly a team with energy and ambition to chase a maiden title. To reach the top place on the podium with so much competition around will take some doing, and for the present RCB don’t appear to have found the high gear to see them through consistently over several weeks.
Ofcourse in the T20 format one can never say never, But RCB will need a massive spike in intensity and performance to make this season rewarding. Whether star Aussies Glen Maxwell and Josh Hazelwood joining the squad this week could be the boost that RCB need to become seriously competitive remains to be seen.
Maxwell is an ace white- ball cricketer, among the most feared on the circuit for his brutal hitting and deceptive off-spin. Last season he was the best performing player for the franchise. Hazelwood, long considered a red ball specialist, showed how much he had evolved as a T20 player with outstanding performances in the last World Cup preceded by a productive season for CSK in the previous IPL season. Why CSK let Hazelwood go in the mega auction remains a surprise, more so with the defending champions struggling badly in the bowling department. RCB will be hoping that the tall and classy pace bowler will deliver for them as he did for CSK.
The two new teams, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, appear to have settled in quickly. Both have depth of talent, good balance, and will be serious threat to all opponents. Of the older teams, Rajasthan Royals and KKR have been most impressive, followed by Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. SunRisers Hyderabad, dogged by controversy all of last season, have had a stuttering start, losing two matches, though they did put LSG under deep pressure in the second match before running out of steam with victory within reach.
The first fortnight’s trend points to high scoring matches on sun-baked, batsmen friendly pitches and lightning-fast outfields at all venues. The pressure, in such conditions however is not just on bowlers, but perhaps even more on captains to manage batting and bowling resources effectively in a tournament where several players across teams are still to find their bearings and fortunes have swung violently. Even Rohit Sharma, the most successful captain in IPL history, has had a tough time. Of the new captains, Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer appear to be unfazed by the responsibility. In fact, enjoying it. Not so Ravindra Jadeja though who has been left wringing his hands as CSK flopped in all three games.
The first fortnight also highlighted that bowler with high skills and control an succeed in these batsmen friendly conditions. Umesh Yadav, Mohamed Shami and young Avesh Khan have been superb bowling at the start as well as end of the innings. Their knowledge of Indian conditions has obviously been of big help.
Wrist spinners too have impressed as evidenced from the success of Chahal, Rashid Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Bishnoi, Rahul. As wickets start to show more wear and tear wrist spinners will only get more difficult to handle. Finger spinners of quality like R Ashwin and Sunil Narine have also settled into good rhythm swiftly which makes the bowling attack of their teams that much more potent.
Two extra teams in the fray this season made the competition more intense. In the past, four of 8 teams would make it to the knock out stage. Now it will be four from 10, which means greater pressure on players, coaches and captains to ensure sustained excellence over a longer period of time.
10 teams also mean that the talent spread has been wider than earlier years. Most coaches and captains are still working out their best combinations. It’ll take a little while for teams and players to settle down. Those that that do this quickly will obviously perform better.
