How will the IPL Playoffs Play? - CricTracker Predicts

How will the IPL Playoffs Play? – CricTracker Predicts: 40 days into the biggest T20 league of the world and here we are at the most crucial and decisive part of it – the playoffs. Much like the case in the Cricket World Cup 2015, where the knockout games had a completely different atmosphere compared to the group stages, the IPL promises to match up to the excitement. Last year’s finalists KKR and Punjab have not even made it to the last four. Rajasthan has performed their best this year, after winning the inaugural edition. Mumbai as last year has shown an incredible ability to bounce back after a horrendous start. RCB have finally overcome the mental barrier and for once not let others decide their fate. And among all of them are the deserving table toppers, Chennai Super Kings the only team to make it to the final four every year.

There is merit to the argument when Wasim Akram calls it the most exciting IPL season. We had to wait till the last 2 days of the group matches to complete the playoffs line up. That is as close as it can get. With the teams set to roar, let us try and find how the playoffs could eventually pan out:

Qualifier 1: Mumbai v/s Chennai at the Wankhede:

In the short history of the IPL no game has attracted the same attention as a clash between perennial heavyweights Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Superstar cricketers, Corporate giants, vociferous fans are some of the commonalities between the two sides. The road to the playoffs has been a completely different one for both of them. While CSK begun strongly and never slipped out of the top 4, Mumbai lost 4 games on the trot right at the start of the league. But a lot has changed since Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith bulldozed MI early in the season. CSK has enjoyed a comfortable ride to the playoffs, while MI has scratched their way through eventually going on to finish second.

A defeat here is not the end of the road for either of them but a win means direct entry to the final and extra days of rest and preparation. The rivalry between the two sides is the most evenly contested one with both winning 11 games each in their previous 22 meetings.

CSK will have to hope for a bright start from Mike Hussey after Brendon McCullum has departed for national duties. Notwithstanding the class of Hussey, it will be new opening pair for them. Considering the recent form of Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga, they might well be too hot to handle for the CSK openers on the Wankhede pitch. Suresh Raina will get nothing in his half when he arrives at the crease. Dwayne Bravo, although effective can be mercurial at times with the bat. Dhoni will have to come up higher in case wickets go down. CSK will look at their finishing with the bat with some concern in that case.

Mumbai do not need to look into the past now. Ricky Ponting would be extremely pleased with the progress of the side in the latter half of the tournament. They might not want to read too much into home advantage given Chennai beat them in the playoffs at Brabourne last year. The mindset change has been the major factor in their turnaround this season. Playing five bowlers is the way to go for them. They would be hoping for a match winning performance from key players like Rohit and Harbhajan. CSK hold a 4-1 edge over them in the playoffs but Mumbai have a better 4-2 record at the Wankhede.

CricTracker’s Prediction: A win for Mumbai Indians in a high scoring contest.

Eliminator: Rajasthan Royals v/s Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Shane Warne the legendary leg spinner had led a bunch of young inexperienced boys in 2008 to the highest points in their career – The IPL title. The scenes of Rajasthan winning the final by defeating the mighty CSK are fresh in everyone’s memories. The following years haven’t followed similar patterns though. Struggling to get into the top 4 Rajasthan were a team in danger of fading with time.

Off field controversies like the spot fixing saga didn’t help either. But Rahul Dravid and Paddy Upton had different ideas. Inspired performances from individual players and strategic masterstrokes have meant Rajasthan have another chance to repeat the 2008 glory. While batting looks their strength, the bowling department is heavily dependent on the lanky South African pacer Chris Morris.

Rajasthan would be hoping for a knock similar to the World Cup Semifinal from their skipper Steven Smith. Deepak Hooda and Stuart Binny are more than capable to provide the killer blows towards the end. Shane Watson has to wait and watch before launching into the tricky Yajuvendra Chahal. They will need to play a spinner to take care of the big hitting run machine Chris Gayle. And therefore Pravin Tambe is expected to return to the side.

RCB on the other hand have somewhat performed to their potential after a long time. Star players, fabulous team and yet they couldn’t put all of it together over the last few years. The inexperienced bowling line up has looked much better with the arrival of Mitchell Starc, the man of the tournament in the World Cup. At last some sense has prevailed and we are seeing AB de Villiers bat up the order. The Challengers will wish for a superlative knock from the Proteas batsman. The Pune pitch will certainly provide them the feel of their home ground in Bangalore. Cricketing pundits also reckon that this might well be RCB’s season. Having underperformed for much of the IPL, the fans would surely be hoping for them to go the distance this time around.

CricTracker’s Prediction: RCB can get over the line courtesy AB de Villiers and Mitchell Starc.