What's Happening In The IPL?

Over half of the IPL league games have been played in the season so far...

But what's happening?!

Who are the team in form?

Who are the teams I think will succeed, fail and bottle it?

Well, where to start? The bottom of the table would probably be a good place to begin...

Deccan are at the foot, sitting uncomfortably on 5 points, three behind any opposition. It's been a tough year for them so far, apart from Dale Steyn (who has been outstanding, watch out Blighty in the summer) none of their players have stepped up to the challenge that the IPL posses. They need another consistant performer along with Steyn and Sangakkarra to win these guys matches. There bottom for a reason.

To summarise, they just haven't been good enough. Hop along to your trainings camps and put in some hard work Deccan.

The Kings XI are sitting just above Deccan in the table at the moment, Punjab have never really had a massive impact on the IPL, there best achievement was getting to the semi-final in 2008. Compared to other teams they don't have any massive names in their team. They have, Gilchrist, Ryan Harris and David Hussey but none of them are world-beaters. For this reason they are destined for a mid table finish in my book. Sorry Kings fans. You are the Average Joe's of the IPL.

Pune Warriors are only above the Kings on net run rate as they are on the same amount of points. Like KingsXI they are quite an average side in my opinion. Ganguly is their captain and there is no question that he is a good player. (Although he is getting on a bit!) There squad is more or less made up from young Indian players who are good. But not in the same league as your Hussey's, Gayle's or Dravid's...

They are in awful form at the moment, losing four of their last five games... Not good Pune...

But Pune aren't the only franchise out of form. The Royals are also dreadfully out of form.

After a great start to the 2012 season Rajasthan have gone into freefall. Losing four in a row has brought them down to 6th in the table. But with quality in their side in the shape of Dravid, who I view to be a wonderful player. Although he is not as effective in the T20 format of the game, he is still a very useful man to start an innings. Rahane is the leading runs scorer in the league and can't be over looked. Shah is also an effective T20 player. Although recent talk of him getting an England call up is total tosh (I hope) he had his chance, and if he gets a call up I'm moving to South Africa and becoming a fan of them.

Owais Shah talk aside, I think RR have a very good chance of getting in the top 4.

Bangalore next. They've been runners up twice. And they could better this 2nd place finish this year. They have a good team of players. There is no doubt about that. Chris Gayle is their star, as I mentioned in a earlier post I think he is one of the best batsman in the IPL. AB de Villiers is also a cracking player in my mind. They have a very strong batting line up. They have been consistent all season. But are they as good as Dehli?

CSK... Victorious Last Year...

The Super Kings are my team, and were awesome. We have won two IPL titles. Dhoni is our skipper. But this year we have been a bit off the pace. Yeah were sitting nicely in the playoff places in 4th. But we haven't been dominating as of yet. We should be a certain for a top 4 place. But another title? Pffft I'm not so optimistic...

Mumbai are in 3rd. They have the little master in their roster. They also have Harbhajan as captain. These two players bring a lot of experiance into their team. Malinga has been a great death bowler aswell. (Even if his stupid hair makes him look like a prat) And for this reason I expect them to finish in the top 4. And maybe get in the final.

The Knight Riders are second in the standings. Winnings four out of their last five with one of them being a no result has lifted them firmly into the play-off's. They have a good bowler in the shape of Narine, and Brett Lee has guided their bowling performances through out the last few games. I expect them to finish in the play-offs because of this great form. But I don't think they will win the comp. I don't know why. I just have a hunch... You heard it hear first.

Dehli are top. This year, they have been the top dogs. They have so many good players in their side. Sehwag has been unbelieveable, four fifties in a row! Take a bow my son. Take a bow. Pieterson has been awesome the first half of the season. But he's gone now. Back to Blighty. They may have dominated the league so far but things could change in the second half of the season. Play-offs for sure. The title, this journo isn't so sure...

My man of the league so far:

Morkel has impressed me. He may not be the obvious choice. With Rahane, Sehwag and Gayle playing so well. But his wickets for Dehli have won them matches, he is on course to win the purple cap and he has one of the best economy rates in the IPL. He is one of the major reasons why the Daredevils are where they are. Well done Morkel. Top lad. Proper naughty cricket player.

The team I think will be victorious:

Quick answer - Dehli OR Bangalore. I fancy Dehli if they recover after losing KP. If they go on a bit of a dodgy run, I fancy Bangalore to sneak in and win the tournament. Stick a tenner on that. I just have the magical journo touch about Bangalore... Up the Royal Challengers! Up Chris Gayle, he's going to have to hit a lot of 6's to win them the cup.

Cheers