It is April and a fresh season of IPL is on the way. It still is going to be a 8 teams format with 2 additional teams from 2021. There are some strong teams and some average ones. There are some excellent players and some good ones. Just like other seasons, this season also has one runaway champion team and it remains to be seen whether that team can be stopped. IPL 2021 so which is the team that is hard to defeat?
Some rather good decisions by BCCI
Unlike the previous editions, in this IPL, most of the teams will not have home advantage. For instance, the first game between RCB & MI will be held in Chennai which is neither team’s home. There is nothing to complain on this because we are living under strange circumstances. The BCCI have done their best to ensure continuity of the bubble and to ensure the safety of the players.
This IPL will also be the first edition to be held in India behind closed doors. That is spectators will not be allowed in any of the grounds. Again there is nothing to complain because the safety of the players and everyone involved with the tournament is of utmost importance.
Another good decision taken for this IPL is that the umpire’s soft signal has been done away with. It is the most ridiculous thing in cricket. The on-field umpire deciding whether the catch is clean even when the catch was taken in the deep. The ICC didn’t have the courage to remove this but the BCCI have done that.
Mumbai Indians
Just like the previous couple of editions, even in this edition, Mumbai Indians are the team to beat. They are simply too strong for their opponents. They have match winners right from the top all the way to the bottom. Anyone is capable of winning a game on their own. The world witnessed the belligerence of Surya Yadav and Ishan Kishan in the recent T20 series against England. Krunal Pandya followed that up with an exhibition of his own though he was not that effective with the ball. Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma are proven match winners. With Jasprit Bumrah & Trent Boult, their bowling attack is strong as well.
All of them are in rather good form though Bumrah did not have much to do over the last few weeks but I still think that other teams will have to come up with something special to upset the Mumbai Indians juggernaut. MI will only have to play upto their level and they will emerge triumphant.
Having said that, who are their likely competitors?
Chennai Super Kings
For some reason, CSK is adamant on picking or sticking to players who are old enough to have retired from all forms of the game. Starting with their captain MS Dhoni, 7 players at a minimum in the playing eleven will be above 30. Infact Imran Tahir is above 40. The age factor is one of the reason CSK finished at the bottom of the pile last year. CSK is rigid in their ways. That is because of Dhoni. The thrive at Chennai by stifling the opposition with spin but are easy pickings away from home. I expect CSK to finish at the same level or even a level lower compared to the last edition
Royal Challengers Bangalore
This is another franchise that are exceptionally good, on paper. It has players of the calibre of Kohli & De Villiers. However, the impressive Padikkal is out of the first few games because of Covid. It certainly weakens their batting. RCB have a poor bowling attack. Chahal, Saini, Siraj are all known to be expensive. They have a couple of exorbitant signings in Maxwell and Jamieson. Only time will answer whether these players prove to be a success or a complete let-down. RCB is no match for MI either.
Kolkatta Knight Riders
KKR have some decent fast bowlers in Nagarkoti, Mavi, Krishna and the mercurial Andre Russel but their batting is quite light and except for Russel, I don’t see anyone else who will be able to change the game on a whim. KKR will certainly give CSK a tough fight to finish at the bottom.
Punjab Kings
Again this is a top heavy team with Rahul and Agarwal at the top and not much depth in either batting or bowling. However, they have the world’s best T20 player in Dawid Malan and it remains to be seen whether he can create any impact.
This leaves only 3 teams who can challenge the might of Mumbai Indians. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.
I predict this to be the line up for playoffs.
Delhi Capitals
Have a couple of good batsmen in Rishabh Pant who is in form, Steven Smith and Marcus Stoinis. Steve Smith for some reason hasn’t really cracked the T20 code and coupled with his performance last year, I do expect him to make his mark this time around. Especially after the way he wasn’t picked up for higher amount that his base price. Stoinis made a real impact last year. Together with Nortje and Rabada they have a pacy attack. Whether they are good enough to topple Mumbai Indians, I do not think so.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
In Warner and Bairstow, they have an explosive opening combination. With Kumar, Natarajan & Rashid Khan, they also have a strong bowling attack. However, this was the same team that failed to go beyond the playoffs. I expect much of the same.
This leaves us with only one team that can challenge the might of MI. That is Rajasthan Royals.
In Archer, Buttler, Stokes & Samson, they have multiple match winners. Just like MI. Stokes and Buttler have something of an X factor in them. Chris Morris, Tewatia and Miller are capable of doing the same. I firmly believe that if at all any team in this tournament can stop Mumbai Indians, it will be Rajasthan Royals.
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