The talent is not in question. They can all bat, bowl and field or they wouldn’t be there in the first place. But this is a time when nerves start to kick in. The pressure is mounting and there is very little margin for error.
To put it mildly, it is a pivotal week in the Indian Premier League.
The next five days will reveal all. Only a handful of games remain in the regular season before the IPL separates the ‘haves’ from the ‘have-nots’. Six franchises remain in the hunt for just three semi-final spots so the elimination process will only intensify in the coming days.
The Delhi Daredevils need not concern themselves. Virender Sehwag has already marshalled his troops into the playoffs but this is not a time to relax. Delhi needs one more win to guarantee a top two finish which would, if necessary, give the team two shots at reaching the final itself.
Sehwag has led by example. He has scored plenty of runs and done so quicker than most. Approaching the 500-run mark for the season, Sehwag boasts a better strike rate than even Chris Gayle, and five half-centuries are a testament to his consistency.
But he needs some backup. If the Daredevils are to maintain their momentum in the knock-out stages Sehwag needs significant contributions from Mahela Jayawardene and David Warner. The Australian smashed an unbeaten century in only his second appearance but has missed out on three other occasions. The Sri Lankan legend chalked up a 50 to book Delhi’s ticket but it was only his second half-century of the campaign.
Delhi’s latest success may be a fatal blow to the Kings Xl. The Punjab franchise must now win both its remaining games to have a chance. On the plus side Kings Xl have home advantage against both Chennai and Delhi. Playing at altitude in Dharamsala, the League’s most northerly venue, may also play into the hosts’ hands.
There is no question the Super Kings are vulnerable. The defending champions, who survived a last ball thriller to draw level on points with Kolkata, have only that long trip north remaining in the schedule. Maximum points are absolutely vital but there is something to be said for experience. CSK has risen to the challenge before and the players know how to handle the big game atmosphere.
The Knight Riders are suddenly finding the going tough at exactly the wrong moment. Consecutive losses to Chennai and Mumbai have seen them fall from top spot and another defeat to the Indians would undo much of what has been accomplished so far.
Mumbai, of course, has its own agenda. One more victory will ensure a post season spot and Harbhajan Singh’s team will be keen to do so with a game to spare rather than have to rely on a nerve shredding finale against Rajasthan in Jaipur.
This only leaves one question. What about the IPL’s biggest star? Many neutrals, myself included, would like to see Chris Gayle swinging that huge bat a few more times. We’ll only get that opportunity if the giant Jamaican can clobber his Royal Challengers into the final four.
It will be easier said than done. RCB’s remaining games are both on the road — first at leaders Delhi, then at bottom club Deccan. Bangalore may well need to win both or Gayle’s mighty weapon will be gone for good.