Week 6 review

 Top 2 emerging; Race for remaining spots gets crowded

It's now emerging clearly that LSG and GT are marginally ahead of the rest of the pack and it is safe to say that they will qualify for the play-offs. As for the remaining spots, except for MI every other team still have a shot - now it just depends on which team performs on it's day and it could be anybody's game.

Take SRH for example. A week ago they were the form team of the tournament. But it's now 4 defeats back to back and they have now fallen out of the top 4 although not drastically. With opponents having had the measure of Umran and the rest of the bowling line-up running into a combo of injury crisis and dip in form, they have been left to depend on their batting to chase targets beyond their reach. KW's form is still a cause of concern and although Markram, Tripathi and Pooran have been making runs, they have not been able to create the requisite impact. With Washy and Natrajan missing, the bowling and the lower batting order look very ordinary. They really need to be on top of the game for their next 3 games.

RCB's fortunes have taken a turn for good even though VK's form hasn't been anything of mention. Their fortunes seem to follow the performances of their foreign contingent and Faf, Maxi, Hasaranga and Hazlewood have lived up to their billing. DK's end innings heroics continued against CSK and SRH while Shahbaz and Rajat Patidar are proving to be worth the money invested. On current form they look poised for a play-off berth.

CSK's push for play-off qualification seems like it has come very late but they are continuing to cling on to the last straw. A win against RCB could have helped their cause but the batting order once again crumbled just when it was required. The openers seem to have struck form at the right moment though with Conway breathing new life into the slot. MSD's influence does seem to have a say, but it has not been as impactful as previous seasons - reflected in his statement after the loss to RCB - "the world is not going to end if CSK don't qualify". But a win against DC has at least kept them in contention for this week.

The mid table teams are still jostling with RR, PBKS, DC and KKR each winning one and losing one this week. RR though must be fighting at the top given that the top run getter(Butler) and wicket taker(Chahal) of the tournament are playing for them but somehow are conjuring up inexplicable losses. Against KKR they were totally listless but found the mojo against PBKS.

Both PBKS and KKR blew hot and cold with KKR blowing it colder. They definitely seem out of sorts are destined to follow MI and (unfortunately) CSK through the exit door. PBKS are also clinging on to the same straw that CSK is holding on to. So any slip-up in the next week could show them as well the exit door. While DC also sit on 10 points, among the 5 teams that are vying for the 4th play-off spot they are seated in a better position.

The week's surprise came when MI sprang a surprise by muting GT at their game. Needing 9 off the last over, GT managed to lose the game by 5 runs despite having Tewatia and Miller at the crease in that last over. Pride restored, MI must certainly be hurting and already looking forward to the 2023 edition.

Week 5 performances

Excellent:  RCB, LSG

Good: MI, CSK, PBKS

Fair enough: GT, KKR, RR, DC

Mediocre: SRH

My performance quotient for each team