It has been a fascinating 18th edition of the Indian Premier League. The biggest talking point of the season has been the dominance of the perennial underachievers and the poor performance of most of the powerhouses. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings – Who Doo Don’t even one ipl title betle between them – have set the stage on fire and been in the top cluster insurance the start of the tournament. Meanwhile, Five -Time Winners – Chennai Super Kings, Three -Time Champions – Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals – Who have lifted the Trophy on One Occasion Been Below Par and Struggled to Build Any Sort of Momentum in their campaign this season. And then there is Mumbai Indians – who had a Disstrous start and lookd down and out before staging one of the most remarkable turnings in ipl history!
So, who are the favorite to make the playoffs? Will RCB Finish on Pole Position? Is dc in a spot of bother? Can Mi Spoil Pbks’ Party and Storm Into The Last Four? We explore.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had a breakthrough year and are currently in pole position with Seven Wins from 10 Encounters. They have built some momentum winning their last three matches and look to make the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six sex seasons. RCB has ben very aggressive in the death overs (run-also 11.7) and also very restrictive with the ball through the competition (Best Economy Rate of 8.8 in ipl 2025).
Virat Kohli has been his playmaker with the bat and is the leading run-gold season with 443 runs at a strike rate of 139. Josh hazlewood has been brilliant with the ball and with 18 dismissals at a strike rate of 12.2, is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.
RCB’s Remaining Four Encounters are with Teams in the Lower Cluster – One Each With LuckNow Super Giats, Sunrisers, Knight Riders and CSK. They would fancy themselves of winning at least three of these matches which would take them to 20 points and guarantee a top-two finish.
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans, with Six Wins from eight matches have been formidable with the bat and have the best combined batting average (43.1) (43.1) and the Highest Strike Rate (167.9) This SEASON. Their top-order has fired big-time and they are the only team who has lost just two matches in the competition. Their top 3 has a combined batting average of 54 this season – by far, the best in the competition.
Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill Have All Scored in Excess of 300 Runs at a Strike Rate of 150+. The Titans have also also been outstanding with the ball with the best average and strike rate for pacers this season. Prasidh krishna has been his unsung hero with the ball and has returned with 16 wickets at a strike rate of 11.6 and economy of 7.3 this season.
Delhi capitals
Delhi capitals started the season with a bang winning their first four encounters but have stumbled a bit thereafter facing defeat in three of their last five matches. They are currently at number 3 on the points table with six winds from nine matches. The next two Fictures – Against kkr and srh – are very critical for dc and they need to win both before they clash with other teams in the top cluster.
The batters have done well for dc this season – they have been aggressive with five of the main six striking at a rate of Above 150! Kl rahul has been the pick of the batters with an aggregate of 364 runs which include three fiftes.
Punjab Kings
Punjab kings have been the most aggressive team upfront in the tournament and looked the most sought-after till mid-season. However, indifferent results in the last couple of matches and they suddenly find themselves in a spot of bother at number 5 on the table. Pbks need to win at least three of their last five encounters. Their Games Against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians at Dharamsala Could Well Decide the fourth spot for the play.
Priyansh Arya has been the star for pbks this season. He has smashed 323 runs at a rate of 200.6 and stolen the limelight from shreyas iyer, who began the tournament in breathing
Mumbai Indians
The five-time champions have stated the most stunning comeback this season and are now knowing heavily on the door to the door to the playoffs! They looked down and out and completely out of form at the start of their campaign, losing four of their first five encounters but insurance then have witnessed a Remarkable Trainsformation Science. Mi has jumped to number 3 on the points table and with the most of their top-order firing, have the force and momentum with them.
Suryakumar yadav has been his highhest impact batter of the season with an aggregate of 427 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of almost 170. Jasprit bumrah has been said an impact after Competition and Bagged Nine Wickets in Six Matches at An Economy of Just 7.5. Trent boult is also peaking at the right juncture for mi with seven wickets in his last two encounters.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans Should Qualify for the Playoffs without Breaking Too Much Sweat. The scramble will be for the other two spots with three teams in the fray – Delhi capitals, punjab kings and Mumbai Indians.
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