IPL 2021: Rating all teams based on performance in the third week

This edition of the Indian Premier League is gradually taking its shape. With the fourth week knocking on the door, it is high time that the teams that are struggling should find a way to regroup and get their perfect XI on the field. Even the teams that managed to script a fabulous comeback are struggling this time. Apart from that, few teams are struggling because of stat-padding by their players.

Teams like Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are struggling in this tournament. Even after having the perfect firepower on their bench, they have been unable to win consistently. Sometimes, the bowlers let them down, or it is the case of the batsmen who become the cause of the loss. Their team management has to pull up their socks and find the perfect team combination as soon as possible. 

On the other side, teams like Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the Delhi Capitals are dominating the teams that are present at the bottom half of the table. Chennai Super Kings are the strongest side in the tournament till now. Well, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have been up to the mark as well. Talking about the Delhi Capitals, they are destroying bowling attacks for fun.

Rating IPL teams as per their show in the third week

8. Sunrisers Hyderabad: 4/10

The Sunrisers Hyderabad are having a horrible IPL season so far. Even after including a veteran like Kane Williamson, their bowling unit has been struggling. During those days when the bowling unit had done a commendable job, their middle-order disappointed them. Without any doubt, the team needs a complete change in the next IPL auction.

Their first game of the week was against the Delhi Capitals. Because of some disciplined bowling, they managed to dry out the runs. As a result of which Delhi scored 159/4 in their 20 overs. While chasing, Kane Williamson and Jagadeesha Suchith ensured that the game did not slip away.

Williamson scored 66 from 51 balls, and the match was tied. But, they were unable to put on a competitive score during the Super Over as SRH put on just 7 runs. This was never enough as Delhi chased it with ease. In the next game, SRH scored 171/3 from their 20 overs. But, this was never enough as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis ensured that CSK chased down the total easily. 

7. Kings XI Punjab: 4.5/10

The Punjab Kings are struggling in this edition of the IPL. Well, they have the strongest batting unit in the tournament. It is surprising to see the best T20 batsman in the world warming the bench in this edition. During the latter half of the tournament, K.L. Rahul has to find a way to include him in the squad. 

This week, they had a better outing as they managed to defeat the defending champions the Mumbai Indians. Because of some outstanding bowling spells from Mohammed Shami and Ravi Bishnoi, they dried out the runs. As a result of which MI managed to score 131/6 from their 20 overs. During the chase, K.L. Rahul and Chris Gayle played cautiously and they chased down the total with ease. 

Against the Knight Riders, the Punjab Kings struggled for momentum as they were restricted to just 123/9 in their 20 overs. Even a score of 120 looked difficult at one stage of the game. But, thanks to Chris Jordan’s 30 from 18 balls, they reached a score above 120. But this was never enough as Kolkata chased it down in 16.4 overs. Eoin Morgan was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his 47 from 40 balls.

6. Kolkata Knight Riders: 4.5/10

The Kolkata Knight Riders are unable to perform consistently. Their batting unit has been failing consistently and during the last match, their bowling unit failed. Eoin Morgan’s captaincy has been mediocre this year. Well, the team selection has been poor too. It looks like the team needs a miracle to put them back on track. 

Against the Punjab Kings, they had a decent outing. Thanks to the bowling efforts of Prasidh Krishna (3/30), Sunil Narine(2/22), and Pat Cummins (2/21), they restricted Punjab Kings for 123/9. While chasing, they played cautiously. Eoin Morgan scored a solid 47 from 40 balls and Rahul Tripathi managed to score 41 from 32 balls. Against Rajasthan, KKR managed to pile up only 133 runs, which was never enough as their opposition managed to chase down the total with ease. 

During their match against Delhi, KKR had a poor outing with the bat. Thanks to Andre Russell, they put on 154/6 in their 20 overs. But, the talking point of the match was Prithvi Shaw, who single-handedly exposed KKR’s weak bowling unit. Even after having the best bowler in the world, they are struggling. Looks like they have to find other players who can compliment Pat Cummins. 

5. Rajasthan Royals: 5/10

Here is another team that managed to win one game out of two matches it played during the third week of the season. Well, they get extra points because they have their playing eleven sorted. The Rajasthan Royals are struggling a bit, but they have found their best XI. Their players need to step up to ensure that they start to win matches consistently. 

Rajasthan played their first game of the week against the Knight Riders. While bowling first, they restricted Kolkata to 133/9 in their 20 overs. Chris Morris was the pick of the bowlers as he took 4 wickets for 23 runs in his four overs. Sanju Samson and David Miller ensured that RR chase down the total in 18.5 overs. 

Against the defending champions, RR managed to pile up 171 runs in their 20 overs. Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler were the star performers for them. Samson scored a well compiled 42 from 27 balls and Jos scored 41 runs from 32 balls. But, Quinton de Kock( 70 from 50 balls) and Krunal Pandya (39 from 26 balls) ensured that MI chase down the total easily. 

4. Mumbai Indians: 6/10

The defending champions are having a bitter-sweet outing in the tournament so far. In few matches, their bowling unit had single-handedly won them the game. But, during the last match, de Kock’s 70 ensured that their batting unit was in form. They are the strongest side in the tournament and it is a matter of time that they find their touchback. 

MI has only two weaknesses in this edition of the tournament. They are suffering because Hardik Pandya is out of form. Adding on, they lack a perfect 4th overseas option. Against Punjab Kings, MI scored 131 runs, and Rohit’s 63 from 52 balls was too slow as per his standards. Punjab managed to chase down the total with ease. 

During their match against Rajasthan, Japrit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar ensured that they restricted RR to 171/4 in their 20 overs. In reply to RR’s decent target, de Kock’s 70 from 50 balls and Krunal’s 39 from 26 balls guided them to victory. If MI wishes to dominate other teams, they need Hardik and Pollard to score consistently. Adding on, Rohit Sharm needs to step up and play some blistering knocks.

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore: 8/10

The Royal Challengers Bangalore had a decent outing during their third week of the IPL. They were destroyed by Ravindra Jadeja single-handedly with the bat and ball. However, they managed to beat the Delhi Capitals by one run. Altogether, this has been a better outing for the Bangalore-based franchise as compared to the last couple of years. 

Against CSK, they were bowling decently, until the final over. Jadeja smashed Harshal Patel for 37 runs in a single over. During that match, CSK scored 191 runs in their 20 overs. This was mainly because of Jadeja’s 62, Faf’s 50, and Gaikwad’s 33. In reply to CSK’s huge target, RCB managed to score just 122 runs in their 20 overs. 

They made a solid comeback against DC. While batting first, AB de Villiers scored a fluent 75 from 42 balls. In reply to RCB’s 171, DC managed 170 runs. Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers for his 2/37. The only thing RCB has to work on is their death bowling, which was expensive during the third week. 

2. Delhi Capitals: 9/10

The Delhi Capitals are having a brilliant season so far. Although Rishabh Pant made a captaincy mistake against RCB, he has been a decent captain so far. The players have been consistent and the management has ensured that there are proper changes in the team in case of injuries. Till now, they have been the second-best team in the season. 

In the first game of the week, they faced the Sunrisers. Prithvi Shaw fired on all cylinders as he scored 53 runs from just 39 balls. Captain Pant complimented him with a fluent 37 runs from 27 balls. In reply to DC’s 159, SRH too scored 159 runs in their 20 overs. But, a brilliant Axar Patel ensured that David Warner and Kane Williamson managed to score just 7 runs in the Super Over which was later chased down by Pant and Dhawan. 

During their match against RCB, they fell short by just one run. Shimron Hetmyer scored a superb 53 runs from 25 balls. But, Pant’s 58 from 48 balls was way too slow. During their match against KKR, the DC bowlers managed to choke the KKR batsman. As a result of which KKR scored a below-par score of 154. In reply, Shaw scored 82 runs from 41 balls to guide Delhi to victory. 

1. Chennai Super Kings: 9.5/10

The Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent team in the history of the IPL. Last year, they failed to get into the playoffs. But, this time, they have been the strongest team as per their performance in this season. Every player is contributing to the team’s cause and they have been able to dominate the opposition. 

During their match against RCB, CSK managed to score a huge total of 191/4. This was the Jadeja show as he smashed 62 runs in just 28 balls. Apart from that, he along with Imran Tahir choked the RCB batsmen. Jadeja had an impressive bowling figure of 3/13 and Imran Tahir had a bowling figure of 2/16. 

Against the Sunrisers, CSK’s bowlers had a decent outing as well. Their spinners ensured that David Warner struggled and Kane Williamson’s 26 from 10 balls was never enough. In reply, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis scored brilliant half-centuries to guide their team to victory. Well, if they continue this form, this CSK squad will finish at the top of the table.