Indian Premier League 2011 : Predictions for Top Four Teams in IPL

The Indian Premier league is now in the midway point and the points table is emphatically showing only Mumbai Indians getting on to the next stage.

Only one team, Pune Warriors India is almost out of the competition. Even the sudden inclusion of Sourav Ganguly won't make much of a difference. Hoping that from Ganguly would be more than one can stomach.

The other new entrant in the league, Kochi Tuskers Kerela is not playing their best cricket. They seem to be at loggerheads with every other department, from Kerela Cricket Association to BCCI. Despite of all this, KTK have performed considerably well.

While Virender Sehwag, captain of the Delhi Daredevils is the one who has a very good team of individual players.

And Kolkata Knight Riders for the first time in four years is more likely to end up in the first half of the points table. This does not mean they cannot make in the playoffs.

All the other teams are fighting it out for a possible berth in the top four.

There is still three weeks remaining for the playoffs and the finals; so it's about time for me to do a Paul. 

4) Rajasthan Royals : Lady Luck's on Their Side

After a lot of head-scratching and back-to-nursery-school-mathematics, Rajasthan Royals just surpasses Royal Challengers Bangalore to get a place in the playoffs.

Shane Warne, as a coach and captain of Rajasthan Royals always comes out with some thing special.

He is considered as an inspirational figure by youngsters and seniors alike (At least on field). When the team needs it, some or the other player delivers it.

They have an extremely good side and don't be surprised if they again lift the trophy for the second time.

Top 5 Players

1) Shane Warne

2) Shane Watson

3) Rahul Dravid

4) Siddharth Trivedi

5) Ashok Menaria

3) Kings XI Punjab: Gilly's Got It

Kings XI Punjab has been the most uncertain team and their performance is also a bit shaky. On some matches they have performed excellently; on some other their performance has been ordinary. 

But still they are performing as a team and players are performing their role.

Paul Valthaty, the overnight star of IPL, after some mind-boggling performance, got back to back poor innings. With Gilchrist at the other end, it's just another day he comes out with a blistering knock.

Shaun Marsh is also getting back to form at the right time. And Dinesh Karthik and Ryan Mclaren are supporting the team well.

Besides stats favoring Kings XI Punjab, one other reason could be I am a big fan of Adam Gilchrist.  

Top 5 Players  

1) Adam Gilchrist

2) Paul Valthaty

3) Shaun Marsh

4) Ryan Harris

5) Praveen Kumar

2) Kolkata Knight Riders: Gambhir's Guys

Gambir's captaincy is unquestionable and he instills a sense of belief in the team.

This year KKR looks a side which has good opening pair of batsmen and the inclusion of Mark Boucher in the latter half of the competition gives them the requisite flexibility for crunch games.  

I'm backing the Knights because they have a good balanced side, aggressive captain, and all the stars are on their side. (Read ShahRukh, Priyanka Chopra, and possibly more in the coming days)

Top 5 Players  

1) Jacques Kallis

2) Gautam Gambhir

3) Brett Lee

4) Iqbal Abdulla

5) Yusuf Pathan

1) Mumbai Indians: Waiting for the First Title

Mumbai Indians from the start look as if they have started where they left in the last season. After every week, they some how emerge as the table toppers.

With this rate they are definitely in the top four and for me the table toppers at the end of the group stage.

With playoffs the top two teams will have a 50-50% chance of going through the finals. I am backing Mumbai Indians will certainly be in the finals.

Sachin Tendulkar is batting like as if this is his first tournament; hungry for runs as ever.

Top 5 Players

1) Sachin Tendulkar

2) Ambati Rayadu

3) Kieron Pollard

4) Rohit Sharma

5) Munaf Patel 

What are your top four teams?

Let me know through your comments.