IPL 2022: Predicting where each team will end up on the points table

With the addition of two new franchises, IPL 2022 has been a bigger and grander affair as compared to previous seasons. We are just one week into the competition, and fans have already witnessed several memorable moments. A few franchises have been quick to get off the blocks, and have had near-perfect starts to their campaign. On the other hand, some franchises are still trying to figure out their best playing combination.

Reigning champions of IPL, Chennai Super Kings have had a horrendous start to their campaign, something which gives flashbacks of the 2020 season. The Men in Yellow have lost their opening three encounters, and are in a spot of bother. Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad are the two other teams who are yet to register points on the board.

Two teams that seem to look solid as a unit are Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, as they have claimed two back-to-back wins. These are still early days in the two-month-long competition, but here we predict where each team could end up on the points table.

10) Chennai Super Kings

It is not often that we see Chennai Super Kings languish at the bottom of the points tally. In the 12 seasons, they have competed, the four-time champions have failed to reach the playoffs just once in 2020. The problem with the current set-up spreads across all departments, with CSK being outplayed in two of their three losses so far. MS Dhoni handed over the captaincy of the side to Ravindra Jadeja just before the tournament, which seems to have affected the dynamic of the team.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been accustomed to slow starts in the IPL, and this season has been no different. With Faf du Plessis missing at the top, there are a few loopholes in their batting order. Jadeja has certainly not been able to express himself freely, after being handed over the captaincy.

The bowling department has been exploited in several instances in the game, and the defending champions will desperately want to see Deepak Chahar return from injury. Unless things change drastically, and quickly, Chennai Super Kings could finish at the bottom of the points tally.