SPILLS, THRILLS AND NAIL-BITERS DOMINATE IPL 2022!

History proves that all reigns must end one day and all kingdoms must fall eventually. The tale of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022 resembles those empires which rule for long periods but when they crumble, they fall in a heap. A month before the tournament finale, the heavyweights are struggling but T-20 fans have been treated to some exceptional cricket and edge-of-the-seat thrillers by the new entrants - Gujarat Titans and Lucknow SuperGiants. A mid-season snippet offers a captivating mix of flops, successes, comebacks and new finds.

Mumbai Indians are the big flops and already out of the Semi-final race after 8 defeats in 8 games. Chennai Super Kings are also on the verge of elimination and need a miracle to stay in contention. Kolkata Knight Riders, another champion side of the past, is also languishing in the bottom three of the points table. Besides champion sides, two superstars of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are also going through a terrible slump. This is the worst IPL season for both and ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia, the form of the big guns is a big worry for Team India.

Another flop show is allrounder Ravindra Jadeja who is performing poorly in all departments of the game. Jadeja’s feast of runs and wickets at IPL 2021 had made him the highest-paid retention for CSK for the 2022 edition at a whopping Rs 16 crore. But his output this season has been dismal. In 8 matches so far, Jaddu has scored just 112 runs with the highest score of 26; also, he has taken just 5 wickets at an average of over 42 and an economy rate of 8.09. Even Jadeja’s outstanding fielding has dipped and he dropped two catches in a single game. Clearly, CSK captaincy is a burden that’s hurting Jadeja’s form.

Despite pre-season favourites floundering, the IPL has been full of thrills and highvoltage action. Debutants Gujarat Titans and Lucknow SuperGiants are both doing really well thanks to their inspirational leaders. While KL Rahul has led the way for Lucknow with two terrific tons, Hardik Pandya is back at his best and has taken the Gujarat Titans to the top of the Points table. Besides solid batting, Pandya is bowling quite effectively and seems fit and ready to regain his spot in Team India.

Among other major successes is Rajasthan Royals who are on a remarkable roll. Jos Butler’s brilliance has notched up three splendid tons, a feat never achieved in any IPL season. While Sanju Samson has provided aggressive batting and leadership, Yuzi Chahal and Ravi Ashwin are spinning a web in the middle overs after sharp spells by Boult and Prasiddha Krishna provide initial shocks to most oppositions. If they can continue this form, the Royals may triumph this year and pay a special tribute to Shane Warne who took them to glory in IPL’s inaugural season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are also locked in a close race to clinch a spot in the Final Four. After a fab start, RCB have disappointed in a few recent matches and need to pull up their socks. In contrast, SRH is cruising towards the top after a sedate start and could well be the surprise package of the season under Kane Williamson’s able leadership.

Talk of SRH brings us to Umran Mallik, the BIG FIND of this season! The Kashmir boy is the fastest pacer in this IPL and his thunderbolts are a special challenge for all opposition. His incisive spells are producing breakthroughs at vital moments and even in the loss to Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, Umran picked up five wickets. Malik’s raw pace has led to calls for him to be fast-tracked into Team India for the T20 World Cup in Australia.

If Mallik is the newcomer creating waves, Dinesh Kartik is the big comeback story of this IPL edition. After being in the TV Commentary team for an year, ‘DK’ as he’s fondly called is now batting like never before. His power-packed displays have kept RCB in the hunt despite Virat’s horror season. DK is keen to return to Team India and with Ishan Kishan being in woeful form, Kartik may well get the nod as Finisher and 2nd stumper.

Overall, IPL 2022 so far has provided a lot of thrills, spills and high quality action. With favourites floundering, debutants shining and the race for Final Four tightening, the season seems set for a thrilling climax.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL