- The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League has shown not many surprises vis-à-vis unfancied teams causing upsets. However, two of the much-fancied teams Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings – both five-time champions – have failed to reach the playoffs courtesy of varied reasons. In the case of Mumbai Indians, the change of captaincy in the form of Hardik Pandya taking over the reins from the Hitman Rohit Sharma did not go too well with the fans as also within the team. No wonder, Mumbai Indians are languishing at the bottom of the points table. Likewise, the Chennai Super Kings also had a below-par performance since the team failed to click when it mattered most. Expectedly, the iconic MS Dhoni made way for Rituraj Gaikwad to don the role of captaincy. Rituraj did a fair job with both bat and the captaincy. But failed to reach the playoffs.
PC: Times Now
- Deservedly, one of the most consistent teams in the league this year to reach the finals is none other than the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Rajasthan Royals started on an extremely consistent note but suffered four consecutive defeats before besting the resurgent RCB in the Eliminator. The story of RCB must be qualified as quite fascinating when despite losing eight consecutive league matches, they fought back valiantly to win the next six matches to enter the playoffs. The last league match for the last playoff place between the Bengaluru and Chennai teams was a great thriller. For the observers, that RCB prevailed over Chennai leading to a frenzied reaction from the fans must have resembled a contest akin to a pressured-filled one between India and Pakistan.
- The wild celebrations that ensued following the win in Bengaluru were not only over the top but also raised several eyebrows from discerning fans about the necessity of indulging in such vulgar displays of uncalled-for booing, heckling, and sneering. RCB fans may have thought the trophy was already under their cusp without even waiting for the playoff matches. The Eliminator between the RCB and RR turned out to be a tame affair for the Bengaluru franchise. RR won the match by 4 wickets to advance to the Qualifier 2 round leaving the RCB players and fans under yet another round of disappointment. As the cricket fans must be aware, RCB is yet to lift the coveted trophy despite showing promises that failed to result in fruition. What is ailing the team here?
PC: InsideSport
- The moot point to ponder over here is why RCB continues to falter time and again despite making lots of chopping and changing over the years. However, the talismanic Virat Kohli has been one of the constants in the franchise ever since the IPL came into existence. It must be rankling the great player in Kohli no end for repeatedly failing to cross the hurdle to lift the trophy. Cricket is a team game; as such, every player must contribute equally to the cause interspersed with individual brilliance. Kohli has been in outstanding form, owning the orange cap and a great strike rate to boot in this edition. Nonetheless, all that will come to naught since the team was eliminated. Back to the drawing board, I guess. And the next edition beckons. As also the wait continues.
