Monday, May 4, 2009

How Bloody Close is this IPL!?

29 of the 56 group matches have been played.

We're into the 2nd half of the tournament.

Yet no one can place a safe bet on who the semi-finalists will be.

It is so damn close that a mere 2 points separate the team at the top of the table (Chennai Super Kings) and the team that is sitting at number 7 (Rajasthan Royals).

Only 2!

So who are going to be the final 4?

Deccan Chargers looked like they will breeze into the semis with 4 wins on the trot; but since then they have lost 3 consecutive matches and suddenly find themselves placed 4th.

Chennai Super Kings had an awful start to their campaign winning 1 of their first 5 matches with 1 washed out; but now all of a sudden they are on a 3 match winning spree and find themselves at the top of the table!

Royal Challengers Bangalore kicked off their IPL just where they left their 2008 campaign by losing everything. Within a week, they had played 4 and lost 4. Then some magic kicked in and now they are on a 4 match winning streak.

Delhi Daredevils began as the favorites and played like ones too, till they came across the defending champions and a rampaging CSK.

The defending champs, Rajasthan Royals have had a mixed campaign. Lose one, win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win one. Atleast that has kept them in the chase.

The Mumbai Indians campaign has just been like the Royals; the only difference being that they win one before they lose the next.

Its only apt then that the Mumbai vs Rajasthan match was washed out and both the teams shared a point each.

Kings XI Punjab has also had a mixed bag starting by losing 2, then winning their next 3 before losing another and winning another.

Boy has it been a roller coaster ride.

Any bets on the semis then?

The only bet I can place is that the Kolkata Knight Riders will not be anywhere near the semis.

That's the best part about the IPL - it keeps the teams in the hunt till the very end.

Was the same last year.

Make your pitch on this post...



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14 Pitched:

  1. Tifosi Guy said...
     

    Predos for Semis

    CSK/RR/DD and either MI/DC. It's always been my predictions since the first week of the tournament.

  2. Gaurav Sethi said...
     

    top that till the last few games each one has been bloody close.

    CSK only sureshot semi finalists, the rest of them will fall over each other and it'll be a miserable scramble.

  3. Leela said...
     

    I am loving this crowded table!

  4. Amy said...
     

    Somehow I haven't lost interest in the IPL yet so something must be going right. The competition's close and the bowlers are also having a real say in the proceedings. I like it.

  5. raj said...
     

    Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals sure shot semi-finalists. Look how Gilly talked about turning this around and taking it one match at a time. These are guys who can easily inspire the team. DD, CSK, MI, BRC and KXI have to fight out for the other 2 spots.
    Watch DD going down today to KXI and then DD will also lose their favourites tag.

  6. Q said...
     

    Tifosi Guy: thats bold.. I think RCB will be there.. but then again, who knows.

    Lets c how correct u r when we get there.

    And good to see you on Well Pitched.

  7. Q said...
     

    NC: CSK really? Kings XI and DD will potentiall replace CSK at the top today...

  8. Q said...
     

    So am I Leela... it makes it all the more exciting!

  9. Q said...
     

    Not many have lost interest Amy.. if anything there r more viewers than last year.. and definitely more bloggers covering it.. last year it was myself and Henry only.. this year we've got urself, BCC!, Ankit, and many others..

  10. Q said...
     

    Raj: i would even cal that bold.. but yeah they do have a chance but as good as RCB's, CSK's, and DDD's..

    Its Punjab vs Rajasthan today.. Delhi play KKR..

  11. Rayden said...
     

    I am glad this IPL is so close. Probably except for KKR any of the other teams can make it to the semis. Personally I want a Delhi vs Mumbai finals but the way Mumbai played the last couple of matches, it looks unlikely.

  12. Tifosi Guy said...
     

    Q

    Simple why I chose those three teams

    I am from Chennai, so CSK is no brainer.

    A huge fan of Warne - hence RR :)

    DD - well they have a decent bowling attack/fielding unit. Added to their more than adequate batting and that's why I'm going for them.

    MI/DC - well DC was a bold pick. But they are in a rut now. So that might be an iffy pick.

    MI - classic chokers they are - but with a decent team, I think they will sneak in.

    RCB - not really sure what to make of their resurgance. Would happily take RCB over MI/DC..

    But once CSK/RR are in - couldn't care less who else comes :)

  13. Q said...
     

    Thats true Rayden - its anybody's game really.

    Delhi vs Mumbai - hoping for a classic Ranji final?

  14. Q said...
     

    Tifosi guy - that explains it. I guess its easier to chose ur favorites if ur from India.. for us foreigners, we keep dilly dallying between one team and the other..

    But if i were to pick i'd like to see DDD, RR, DC, and RCB in the semis :-)

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