Punjab Kings: A Tale of Two Halves
Punjab Kings finished with 15 points but their campaign was a story of dramatic contrast. Captain Shreyas Iyer's squad started with six wins and a no-result, only to lose the next six matches in a shocking collapse. Prabhsimran Singh emerged as the top batter with 510 runs at a strike rate of 169, supported by captain Shreyas Iyer and young talent Cooper Connolly. However, no one could turn the tide when the team faced adversity. The key problem was bowling, which lacked penetration. No Punjab Kings bowler featured in the top 15 of the leaderboard, exposing a critical weakness.
Kolkata Knight Riders: The Unluckiest Elimination
Kolkata Knight Riders accumulated 13 points and were arguably the unluckiest team to be eliminated. They earned just one point from their first six games, but captain Ajinkya Rahane's side roared back, winning six of the next seven. Unfortunately, their resurgence fell short. Bowling, not batting, was the cornerstone of their revival. Sunil Narine remained the most miserly spinner in the IPL with an economy rate of 6.6, proving once again that his craft remains a mystery to many. Ajinkya Rahane expressed pride in his team despite the exit.
Delhi Capitals: Persistent Issues
Delhi Capitals had only one batter in the top 20 leaderboard: KL Rahul, who ranked fourth with 593 runs. Their bowling lacked bite until Mitchell Starc's late entry. For some teams, the more things change, the more they remain the same, and DC's struggles highlighted recurring problems.
Chennai Super Kings: A Season Without Direction
Chennai Super Kings finished with 12 points and seemed directionless. They failed to produce a single standout performer with either bat or ball. However, the future holds hope with batter Kartik Sharma and paceman Anshul Kamboj showing promise. CSK needs a fresh start, possibly with a new captain like Sanju Samson, and must resolve the Dhoni situation.
Mumbai Indians: A Fall from Grace
Mumbai Indians managed only 8 points, winning just two of their first nine games. There was no late winning momentum this time. The team, packed with India stars like captain Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, fell to earth. The exception was Tilak Varma. Even foreign recruits like Will Jacks, Trent Boult, and Sherfane Rutherford largely disappointed. The five-time champions need a reset.
Lucknow Super Giants: Last Place Disappointment
Lucknow Super Giants also ended with 8 points, finishing last despite a high-profile coaching staff. They flopped even at home. The top batting order, especially Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, were major letdowns. Mitch Marsh found form too late. Skipper Rishabh Pant looked woefully short of form and confidence. Gains included Mukul Choudhary, who won the game against KKR, and Prince Yadav, an encouraging addition to the pacers' pool. LSG must go back to the drawing board, but thankfully, there is no relegation in the IPL.
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About the Author
Avijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghosh
