Struggle for Semi Final spot intensifies

IPL 2008 Points Table

Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR Rajasthan Royals 11 9 2 0 0 18 +0.950 Kings XI Punjab 11 8 3 0 0 16 +0.436 Chennai 12 7 5 0 0 14 -0.209 Mumbai Indians 11 6 5 0 0 12 +0.663 Delhi Daredevils 12 6 6 0 0 12 +0.350 Kolkata 12 5 7 0 0 10 -0.167 Bangalore 12 3 9 0 0 6 -1.317 Deccan Chargers 11 2 9 0 0 4 -0.463

In the race for the semis, RR is currently leading the pack with 18 points. So their place is well secured in the semis.

Then there’s KXI- with 16 points, more or less into the semis now.

Now for the 3^rd and 4^th spot, serious competition is taking place between team- DD, MI, and CSK. KKR are more or less out of the tourney, after their losses to CSK(on 18^th may) and RR(on 20^th may), they are at 10 points. The other teams in competition will have to lose all of their matches, for KKR to qualify- tall order.

The equation is getting more and more complicated, as MI lost to KXI yesterday in one of closest matches of the IPL, leaving them alongside DD at 12 points. While Sachin played a very controlled and stable innings of 65, the other batsmen failed to score around him. other than perhaps Nayar and Jayasuriya, everyone looked out of sorts. as a result, MI, who looked to be sailing through to yet another win, choked miserably in the end. I must add here, that Robin Uthappa has dissappointed me gravely over the past few months. He has failed to deliver with the bat, and his fielding has only been average so far(only a few good catches here and there, nothing consistent), i'm afraid to say, his inclusiion in the national side should also be questioned now. But, coming back to leader board, MI have one extra match left to play, they have played only 11 matches, while DD have played 12. DD take on KKR today, at Delhi only, but this match is looking like a washout as rains haven’t stopped since last week. So in that scenario, each team will be given 1-1 point, which will take DD to 13 points and KKR to 11 points. Now in the next game, DD have to play MI, so this is looking like a scrip well written for total nail biting thriller. You never know what happens next. MI will play RR and play RC in their last match, the results of those matches will also be crucial. If MI happen to win both of those games, then its curtains for DD, but if they manage only one win, then DD might qualify- all this depends on the result of the DD vs MI match. Whoever wins that one, has a safer bet. And run rate shall also play a major role in deciding the proceedings.

As for CSK, they are under a bit of heat now. They lost to RC last night, pulling them back in the leader board, and bringing them nearer to MI and DD in terms of score, with only 14 points. This means only a difference of one win against those two. One more loss, and they shall find themselves in the whirlwind of jostling for the semis with DD and MI. They had the match well within their reach, but thanks to some really brash and utterly brainless shot selection by the CSK batsmen, they couldn't even reach a small total of 127. Their loss to RC has opened up the points table. They play RR and DC in their last two matches. While DC looks like easy picking right now(but never underestimate, they have lost to DC in their previous meeting, so it aint that simple), winning over RR will be crucial. If they lose both, then I guess DD and MI will go into the semis.

PHEW!!

So much speculation!

RC and DC have assumed the role of party spoilers for now, as RC have already done it against CSK, DC can do it too. So lets see what transpires, who qualifies and who bites the dust. Its cliff hanger time!!