IPL 2015 Schedule: Updated Play-Off Fixtures, Live Stream Info and Predictions
There’s just two matches left to play in the 2015 edition of the Indian Premier League, as three teams remain in the hunt for tournament glory.
Mumbai Indians booked their place in the Eden Gardens showpiece after dispatching of Chennai Super Kings in the play-off qualifier. But MS Dhoni’s men will have a second chance to qualify when they tackle Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second qualifier on Friday.
Here’s the full schedule of matches to come, the details you need on where to catch the action and a closer look at which team is likely to be crowned this season’s champions.
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| May 22 | 3:30 p.m. | Qualifier 2 - Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| May 24 | 3:30 p.m. | Final - Mumbai Indians v TBC |
Matches can be streamed via Sky Go UK.
Bangalore Primed for Final Push
After their emphatic 71-run win over Rajasthan Royals, there is some clear momentum festering in this Bangalore team.
Once again, AB de Villiers was sublime, as the South African struck a stunning 66 from 38 balls to help the Royal Challengers to victory. It was a vintage innings from AB, who played around the wicket with class, shifted pressure onto the bowling side superbly and counter-attacked with a real swagger after RCB lost some key early wickets.
As noted by Freddie Wilde of ESPNcricinfo, his knock put the efforts of Rajasthan’s big names to shame:
But as good as De Villiers was, he probably wasn’t the most encouraging thing to come out of this Bangalore display. Indeed, this was the Royal Challengers’ best performance as a collective in the IPL so far, with players like Mandeep Singh chipping in with crucial runs and all five Bangalore bowlers picking up wickets.
While RCB have a collection of superstars to rival any side in this tournament, as noted here by former India player Aakash Chopra, if the rest of the team can step up, it’ll make a huge difference moving forward:
The signs are certainly ominous for Chennai, who have stuttered into the final embers of this tournament. Their 25-run defeat to Mumbai was their fourth loss in eight games, and if they’re to have any hope of getting the better of an improving Bangalore team, they must drag their levels up for this crucial encounter.
However, as noted by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, overall, the Super Kings have been the best side in the competition:
Bangalore will have the edge over Chennai in this encounter, however. RCB seem to be peaking at the perfect time, and although they remain reliant on virtuoso displays from the likes of De Villiers, Mitchell Starc and Chris Gayle, this side jelled superbly against the Royals.
As noted by Wilde, that doesn’t bode well for Chennai, who will also have to make do without their talismanic opener Brendon McCullum after he joined up with New Zealand for the Test series against England:
Mumbai should have enough to get over the line in the final, though. This team will be well rested coming into the showpiece, and after weeks of dynamic cricket, those extra days will give them a critical edge in front of what will be a raucous Eden Gardens crowd.
For long spells of this tournament, the Indians didn’t seem to have enough to make it to the play-offs. But they’ve found some important impetus in recent weeks, and inspired by their skipper Rohit Sharma and a rejuvenated Lasith Malinga, they’ve shown an impeccable temperament when it comes to key moments in matches.
Prediction: Winners, Mumbai Indians. Runners-up, Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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