By Denzil Fernandes

Oct 22: The unpredictability of the respective matches in the ongoing 13th Indian Premier League played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) keeps the cricket enthusiasts on the edge of their seats day after day. More often than not, results have turned topsy turvy to everyone’s pleasant excitement.

So much so, at least in one particular match played between holders Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kings XI Punjab the result was not known till the second super over was bowled. After leveling the score at 176 runs by both teams, the first super over went tied with 5 runs scored by both teams. In the second super over, MI posted 11 runs on board which was outscored by Punjab’s Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle off Trent Boult. It was a good game worth going miles to see but unfortunately, there were no spectators allowed in the stadiums due to the COVID restrictions.

Every single team in the IPL has been battling hard and with only a few matches left, the writing is almost on the wall. Four teams from the 8-team cluster will qualify for the play-off matches which will lead to the eventual finalists. Right now though, at least two teams are almost certain to qualify for the play-off stages. The formidable ones like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are already there unless some shocking results follow. But with such a lot of hard work and determination that seems a wee bit doubtful. The stage is delicately set right now with crucial ‘make or break’ matches to follow.

While MI and DC will be sitting pretty at the top and fine-tuning their plans for the playoffs, teams like Kings XI Punjab, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals must be slowly packing their bags for their trip back home. Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers, Bangalore (RCB ) has made a great bid for a place in the last four. In the long history of IPL, RCB is yet to win the title despite fielding some top players year after year who flopped promptly much to the disappointment of their owners and supporters. This is the best opportunity for RCB to go one step further and show to the cricketing world that they are made of champion stuff. For this to happen, they cannot afford to take life easy and have to get into winning ways. So far, RCB has won seven matches in 10 matches played. With only a few matches remaining against other aspirants, the fight will be intense. But the consoling fact is that the Bangalore team is well equipped to deliver. RCB will be required to outplay teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and CSK who will be fighting for a place in the playoff.

RCB met Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday evening last and showed what they are capable of. They meant business from the word ‘go’ and promptly bundled out the Kolkata team for a lowly 84 runs in 20 overs while losing 8 wickets. Wrecker-in-chief was Mohammed Siraj who picked up 3 for 8 runs in his first 2 maiden overs that included the wickets of opener Tripathi, one drop batsman Raina and Englishman Banton to complete a unique record for the first time in the IPL. In reply, RCB went past the easy target in 13.3 overs for a morale-boosting win to leave KKR in dire straits.

Slowly but surely, RCB has gathered their players and gelled them well. Apart from India captain Virat Kohli who has been leading RCB over the years, they are fortunate to have one of the world’s top T20 player in South Africa’s AB de Villiers. Over the years, de Villiers has been the backbone for them excelling in every single department of the game - be it fielding, batting, wicketkeeping and more. His murderous batting has swept the opposition to doom and defeat. Others who have excelled include young Karnataka opener Dev Dutt Padikkal, Australian Finch and all-rounder Chris Morris. Another young bowler Washington Sundar has been economical while clever spinner Chahal has claimed wickets at the right time. Pacers like Siraj, Saini and Isuru Udana have taken the burden of opening the bowling with success. Dube, Gurkeerat, Zampa, Umesh Yadav, Philippe are others chipped in. Right now, the team looks set to move into final gear and attack the remaining teams to ensure qualification for the play off stage.

One cannot discount other teams like Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers, Hyderabad and KKR who are making one last-ditch effort to upset the front runners. Apart from MI, DC and RCB who are expected to qualify for the playoff, there will be one lone spot available for one of the other teams. Who will that be?

The key will be to be on your toes and fight every single remaining match like a final till the end. Every team wants to reach the destination for which such great effort has been put. The long journey and aim of lifting the maiden IPL title will be focussed and paramount in the plans of RCB. This time around, the team has shown great signs of being a serious contender for the big prize. Will Kohli and his boys silence their critics?