Bangalore and Hyderabad face Final test for Maiden IPL Title

                  IPL 9 set to crown a new champion this time around, as Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore are up for the final contest on Sunday at Chinnaswamy. Both sides have banked on different strengths so far in the season, but on the final day it’s about showing their strengths in all departments by overcoming the pressure of the situation to become as Champions.
                 It’s  more about batting from Bangalore that solved many problems for them, which includes overcoming the knockout scenario at the business end of the season. Virat led the side from the front alongside AB and Rahul, but their batting doesn’t limited to 3 players as it shows. Where Watson and sachin baby also played brisk knocks and Gayle’s form of lately also helped them alongside Abdulla’s resistance with AB in qualifier-1.
                   While bowling struggled for most of the season, but Watson and Chahal has been bowling on another level, when compared other bowlers in the attack . While Jordan’s inclusion in the squad made some difference at the death, although yet he has to show his full potential. At the end it can be said bowling has been benefitted with big runs on the board in their wins.
                  On the other side It’s more about Bowling from Hyderabad, where the strength lies and looking strong enough to tackle any opposition with Bhuvi, Saran, Henriques and Cutting . Even with injuries their strength hadn’t altered  much with strong bowling back up on the bench, But Mustafizur's  absence in the last game costed them a bit at the death overs.
                While batting as heavily dependent on the openers throughout the season, where Warner leading with the runs in the side alongside reliable dhawan  and brisk knocks from Yuvraj also turning out to be crucial with their slim batting line up. But Bipul’s cameo’s in the last two games came under pressure with inspiring their batting.  At end it can be said their inconsistent middle order largely uncovered with prolific form of Warner and bowlers.
                The pitch at Bangalore behaved abnormal to it's nature in Qualifier-1, but it seems likely to return into it's original flavour with heavy runs. Although with end of season it might favour bowlers with cutting the pace off.
                  Bangalore won 5 games in a row and they are on a roll to continue the momentum on the final day, while Hyderabad too have some momentum with victories in last two games. Although both teams won a game piece in the group stage at their respective home venues.
                   At end it all counts on the final day to crown as Champions, where their strengths will be stretched long in pressure. Meanwhile the contest lies between the strengths of either sides.

Gujarat look to make the second chance Count against Confident Hyderabad

              The penultimate match of the season may not get any better  as Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat lions face each other for the maiden final appearance in the IPL on Friday at Feroz shah Kotla.
                Gujarat missed an opportunity against RCB, where they are up in the contest for most part of the game. But AB is known for taking away the game at any time and he delivered under pressure taking Gujarat’s bowling to all parts of the ground.
                Although Gujarat might take some positives in the crucial defeat, where kulkarni and Smith produced match lifting performances. But the top order became a big concern from them with uncharacteristic starts late in the season.
                On the other hand Sunrisers crossed the line of Kolkata at the crunch situation, where Yuvraj's brisk knock as became the missing element in  Kolkata’s chase. While bowling once again showed their strength with unsetting the batsmen with uneven pace to work with.
               Even Though Sunrisers have to work with their middle order in the crucial situation, where surfaces becoming tough  for batsmen early on at the business end. While Sunrises might have the advantage playing at the same venue, but overs from slower bowlers will be crucial with slowing conditions.
               The pitch at Kotla as slowed down along with the amount overs and will slow down even more on Friday, where spinners might make the rules.
               Meanwhile Sunrisers might not think to alter the combination, which yielded more depth with the ball. But Gujarat have to think with the 3 left handers in the Hyderabad batting order, which likely to make Jakati excluding from the squad.
               So with a final chance on offer for a place in final, the contest urging to delivery the ‘A’ game without feeling the pressure of the situation. Anyways the Contest lies between the batsmen of either sides, to overcome the slow nature of the surface.

Sri Lanka face another Test in testing Climate

                 England made a enthralling start to the start of the season with an Innings win, but Sri Lanka could be well disappointed with the way the test match ended within 3 days. Although the Lankans up for another challenge in testing conditions at Chester-Le-Street, as the second of the 3 match series begin on Friday.
                 England have put a foot wrongly early on with losing the top order cheaply, but other than that it was all one sided show in the opening test. Where Bairstow and Hales played characteristic knocks to take them to a respectable first Innings total.
                On the other hand Sri Lanka hadn't capitalised on early breakthroughs with some sloppy effort in the field and injury to their speed star Chameera will sriken their bowling attack more adding to the Vows of Prasad injury early on.
                  While Sri Lanka only managed a single fifty from both the Innings, apart from that batsmen struggled to cope with swing and seam from the English bowlers. Where the duo Anderson and Broad claimed 15 wickets between them to dominate the proceedings.
                 Meanwhile England played 5 matches at Chester-Le-Street and won all of them, which included Innings victory on 3 occasions. So there will be movement from the ball throughout the game to trouble the batsmen alongside freezing cold.
               England likely to replace Woakes in place of injured Strokes ahead of uncapped Jack Ball to relevant perfect balance, while Lakmal makes a way into playing XI for injured Chameera in Sri Lanka's Squad.
               Sri Lankan challenge is not only with the opposition, but also with acclimatising to the freezing weather. While Sri Lankan batsmen have to show some sort of resistance against the England bowlers, where the Contest determines the outcome.

Sunrisers look Within and Kolkaa Seek to repeat, to Stay Alive

                Sunrisers would have  never thought playing an eliminator with the way they positioned in the points table, but they couldn't cross the Kolkata line once again in the Crunch game. Now they face on the same challenge in the eliminator, as Kolkata Knight Riders look to repeat the senanerio on Wednesday at Delhi.
              It seems Sunrisers struggling with the bat on dry pitches where there is bit on offer for spinners and their uncharacteristic drops in the field costed them in the last couple of games. While middle order hasn't been consistent enough to take them over the line, so with the things going around once again much pressure lies on consistent openers.
             Although bowling as been their strength in restricting oppstions to a par total and also in defending, but Sunrisers will definitely miss the experience of Nehra in terms of bowling tactics. But still it looks good attack to posses with, while they are fluctating  to figure out one between Morgan and Williamson.
              On the other side Kolkata came up with a different story with not quite here or not quite there, in the frist half it's mostly about their top order and well balanced bowling attack. But things got change with uneven results, where the middle order became more tougher for oppstions to handle.
               At the business end openers struggled in making starts, but middle order batsmen made it look easy alongside their mystery and wrist spinners. Mumbai's loss also came as an blessing at the end, eventhough they showed good fight against Hyderabad in making it to playoffs.
                The pitch at Dehli known for it's slowness at the business end with offering enough assistance for spinners and with expected showers in the afternoon seamers might get movement side ways early on.
                Meanwhile Sunrisers liklely to stick with the sanme playing XI, but might tempet to bring in Morgan in place of Williamson. At the other end Russell return will strengthen the side even more and also Kolkata likely to use Morkel’s experience in the Crunch game.
                So there will be no more  chances a win keeps them alive for the final and a loss kicks them out, it's all about handling pressure well in these games and at the end the contest lies on, how Hyderabad batsmen handle Kolkata's spin attack ?

Bangalore and Gujarat Seek easy road in to Final

             It’s playoffs time in IPL, as Top.2 teams gear up for qualifier 1 to make easy roads in to the finals. Both sides had a contrast season in terms of wins and losses early on, and in the second part of the group stage as well. But now both sides are in a safe point as a win takes them in to final and loss gives them another chance, as Gujarat Lions face on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy on Tuesday.
              Gujarat Lions top order made flying starts in the beginning and made life easy for the middle order batsmen, but in the later stages the starts started to disappear and middle and lower order struggled to find some sort of form.  Those losses and close wins at the start made them to face virtual knockouts, where the middle order and reliable bowlers taken them to top the table.
             While with both wins in last couple of games Lions are coming with some sort of momentum, where Raina found his grooves after a little break and Bravo’s economical spell made things easy. Although top order yet  to find their lost form and lot depends on them for a crucial contest against formidable Bangalore lineup.
             On the other hand Bangalore hadn’t had best of the beginning in the first half, but the batting stood as an unbreakable wall with more matches, where Virat  stood as an example with record breaking runs and Tons in IPL history. Although the lite’s of consistent ABD and Rahul were over shadowed by the run machine and Gayle’s form of late even made things tough for oppositions.
             But with the situation where every game as been a knockout contest bowlers found their grooves with impressive spells as unit, where Chahal and Watson had led the attack in crunch situations. While Bangalore too coming with momentum on the back with 4 wins in a row and they couldn't ask for a better venue than Bangalore.
             The pitch at Bangalore is full of runs and expected to stay the same on Tuesday with some assistance for spinners, although spinners should be aware of small boundaries.
            Meanwhile both sides won a game a piece in the group stage against each other at their respective home venues, while Virat scored two Tons in each of the game.
               So it's not going to be easy for Gujarat to face on Bangalore at their home given the form they are in against them, but Bangalore can't be overwhelmed with consecutive wins they should be aware of that rough patch round the corner. At end it's all about damage control with the ball at Chinnaswamy.

Gujarat in a tricky Situation, as Mumbai face Knockout Challenge

             The season sets for the penultimate day in the group stage and yet teams finding their way to playoffs with a match still to play where the fortunes to playoffs lies. As Gujarat even with 8 wins  hadn't stabilized in playoffs due to the net run rate and for Mumbai a win will ensure them through playoffs on Saturday at Kanpur.
               Gujarat made it to Top. 2 in the table with a win against Kolkata at their second home in a crunch game, but a loss on Saturday will affect their chances through playoffs depending on the results of other games due to their low net run rate. While a win will ensure them easy roads into playoffs.
              While bowling fired up against Kolkata as an unit, even with PK’s Injury as seen through it with a brilliant spell from Smith. Although openers struggled to make a start in a chase of moderate total, but Raina made his presence felt with an unbeaten half century to see them through home.
              On the other side Mumbai as an clear vision through playoffs, where a win will sets them through playoffs and loss won't get them. Mumbai seems to have found a perfect batting order off  lately, but found it when it's most needed in the form of Guptill at the top order alongside their captain.
               Meanwhile even in the absence of Southee the bowling as fired up well against Delhi, but Vinay Kumar's spell up front will be crucial for them who as been touch expensive in the previous game.
               The pitch at Kanpur as given enough assistance for pacers throughout game and with some time at the crease batsmen can take off their game. While the weather seems to be clear for the crucial encounter.
               So with the win at second home Lions likely to stick with the same playing XI and Mumbai may consider Hardik in place of Nitish Rana.
              At the end it's much of an Knockout Contest for Mumbai and Gujarat won't want other results to determine their fate. But the contest for either sides lies between the performance of unstable batsmen.

Delhi face Rising Hyderabad with Playoffs Looming Up

                As the playoffs looming high Delhi finding it much difficult with the philosophy they are adapting and it is backfiring them with misinterpreted variables. But now they got into a situation where every game is an Knockout challenge, as they face on rising high Sunrises at Raipur on Friday.
              Sunrises rising high in the table with win against Punjab at Mohali, where Yuvraj unleashed his shots in a tricky situation alongside consistent Warner at the top. But injury to experienced campaigner Nehra will be a big loss with playoffs round the corner.
                On the other hand Delhi  struggling to cope with pressures at crunch situations and with misreading surfaces costed them heavily which indeed distracted their philosophy they have adopted. Those readings affected their bowling combination and led to favour the opposition more.
              While batting not getting  into the grooves as it should, as Agarwal and Iyer not living up to the expectations at the top order. Although the presence of another opener making life difficult for Nair and Samson who likely to spent time at the crease early on. Alongside these batting Vows the indecisions against inform batsmen, also affecting them in a big way.
               Meanwhile Sunrisers being at the top of the table can't take the game against Delhi lightly with teams like Bangalore and Gujarat making progress to spot a place in the Top. 2.
               The pitch at Raipur is fresh enough and will offer assistance for pacers early on, but with big square boundaries spinners likely to play a huge role if the pitch is dry enough.
              So this time around Delhi should predict the nature of the surface rightly and with the change in opposition they look to bring in Jayant, while Sunrises forced to make change Sran likely to replace injured Nehra.
               At the end It’s all about finding a safe spot in  playoffs with Sunrisers look to stabilize in the Top .2, as Delhi look to make a way into Top.4. Meanwhile the contest lies between the pressure affected Delhi batsmen  and slightly thinned Sunrisers bowling attack.

Gujarat and Kolkata fight for Second Spot, as Playoffs looming Up

                 Both sides are with 14 points and yet to find a settled place in playoffs with 2 matches still to play, but on Thursday one will make easy roads and other may face Knockout challenge in the next game. As Kanpur up for it’s first ever IPL game with Gujarat lions facing on Kolkata Knight riders in a crunch game.
             Things may have looked easy for Kolkata and Gujarat, but in the second half every game as intensified more and more with situations the teams are going through. While it's Bangalore that firing with it's full potential had won the previous encounter against this both sides in a convincing fashion.
             The concern for Gujarat as came from the openers where the team struggled when they hadn't got good starts early on in the Innings, while the middle order as heavily dependent on karthik and Finch with their slim batting line up.
              Although the close wins early on and huge defeats in terms of margin  affecting their net run rate largely. The death bowling has been the area where Gujarat couldn't find answers and Bravo leading with wickets from the side, but his economy has ever been expensive in this season.
               On the other hand Kolkata got one of the best bowling unit in this  season so far in terms of wickets and batting has been consistent with inform openers and destructive middle order, but thus far had mixed results  and hadn't got the momentum going.
               The pitch at Kanpur looks great for batting with pinch of grass holding the pitch hard enough for stroke play. So an high scoring game is on the cards with no issues from uneven showers.
               Meanwhile Raina returned to the squad and may not look to change it much other than him, on the other hand Kolkata will miss all-rounder Russell with injury for this encounter and thus make a way for Holder or Munro.
               So the fight is for the second spot in the table and to build momentum ahead of playoffs, as the contest gonna lies between the bowlers of either sides to restrict batsmen on the batting surfaces.

Building Sri Lanka up for first test against Inform Hosts

             It's time for some Test Cricket as T20 going round the world, the new energy bubbling in the English camp after an fassinating 2015-16 season. Now they face on sri lanka who had contrast season altogether, at Headingley in first of the 3 test match series on Thursday.
              It has been after the correlative series where things started to change for England in a big way, they lost the Ashes to Australia with 5-0 and later back at  home lost to sri lanka 1-0 and that defeat  made them to rethink about their ongoing structure.
              Things got to change, they won against India and drawn against West Indies and New Zealand. Later the Ashes victory at home boosted their confidence even more, but lost only to Pakistan in UAE with 2-1 in unfamiliar conditions. Although came back strong defeating No.1 ranked Proteas at their home turf.
               On the other side Sri Lanka hadn't had much success away from home after the series win against England in England, they lost to New Zealand twice in their  visit to kiwi nation and at home won against Pakistan in 2014 and West Indies in 2015 apart from that the losses came in big way against South Africa, Pakistan and India.
               Although Lankans going through some rebuilding process after the retirement of Sangakara and Jayawardene, but couldn't find settled batting order alongside Mathews and Chandimal.
               While England found some settled players over a year an half in the form of Root and Bairstow, Ali and Stokes adding the depth with bat and ball strengthening the  core of the team. While Hales still to make a point in longer format at the top order.
               Meanwhile bowling is formidable with the duo Anderson and broad, the lites of Finn also striking hard in recent times. On the other hand sri lankan pace attack quietly inexperienced, but Cheermana impressed in hurring  the batsmen for pace and with Lakmal, Eranga and Prasad in the ranks will help their bowling alongside experienced campaigner Herath.
               The pitch at Headingley produced results more often than not and it's likely to offer enough movement for pacers throughout the contest with testing batsmen technique with it's lively grass.
              England likely to cap James Vince in the middle order, while Jacob Ball should wait for his turn. On the other side All-rounder Dasun Shanaka likely to make his debut and Prasad’s injury will make them hard to replace.
              So with the form England are going through will consider themselves as favourites, but Sri Lanka being underdogs can't be taken out of the Contest Coz they can show glimpse of triumph with the young energy. At the end the contest lies heavily between unsettled Sri Lankan batsmen and formidable English bowlers.

           

Bangalore Seek to take One more Step against dissimilitude Punjab

                  Royal challengers crunching oppositions when it's most needed and now heading towards top half of the table with one win away from making it to Top. 2 spot, as they face on KXIP on Wednesday at Chinnaswamy.
               It has been hard for oppositions even at different venue to take out ABD and Virat partnership out of the Contest and the wickets column replicates the form the both batsmen going through. While Bangalore take Gayle’s brisk knock against Kolkata as an blessing with back into form and to remove the Top. 4  will be a challenge for oppositions from now on.
                Meanwhile bowling gazing  to take inspiration from batsmen and yet they are searching for stability, although Jordan and Chahal’s spells giving some breather for Watson. So with the situation they are in one more win will take them to Top. 2 stop, which indeed stabilizes the playoffs spot.
               On the other side Punjab lost their crucial encounter against Hyderabad which led them out of the context from playoffs, so now there isn't anything to lose for them. But more points on the table will give them some sort of pride, to end in a much better position in the points table.
               The pitch at Bangalore as been on the slower side, but offering enough assistance for batsmen if they make their own pace with the bat. Once again high scoring game on the cards, although forecast likely in favour of heavy showers.
                Bangalore look to stick with the same squad and attitude to enter into Top. 4, while Punjab with an contrast scenario likely to make changes in absence of Maxwell and Stoinis and also consider giving chance for untested players.
              So with contrast scenarios one side look to continue momentum and the other look to take some pride, as the contest lies heavily on stopping inform Bangalore batsmen.

Delhi seek for Revival against Rehabbing Supergiants

                Delhi not quite here or not quite there with results in last few games and playoffs turning out be more competitive with Bangalore and Mumbai turning their game at crunch situations, now it's high time looming up for Delhi as they face on Supergiants on Tuesday at Visakhapatnam who are in an nothing to lose situation.
                For the first in the season Delhi got their predictions wrong in terms of assessing the conditions and in turn lead to poor selection of playing XI on a batting wicket, where they gone with 3 specialist spinners as fired back. Although batsmen couldn't do much with 200 to chase on the board, while Dekock's decision has been under the scanner for the second time in the season and this time it hunted them more.
            While Delhi’s experiment at the top of the order with Agarwal hadn't worked well and in this crunch they seek to revive their batting order for a better show, so with 3 matches still to play Delhi should win at least two to consolidate in the Top.4. Although much depends on the combination they go with this time around at the same venue.
              On the other hand Pune are in a process to find their bench strength for the next season and their poor show against Kolkata might heat up things a bit in the camp to show some fight in the remaining games.
            The pitch at Visakhapatnam has been tricky to predict as the new surface in the last game produced more runs, but it might slow down for Tuesday's game with rain around the corner.
              Delhi might once again think to alter the combination given with conditions and look to strengthen their pace department, with bringing in Brathwaite and Shami in place of Agarwal and Tahir. While Pune will look to go with the same combination to test their bench strength.
              Meanwhile Delhi look to capitalize on Supergiants poor show, but on the other hand Supergiants look for pride with slowing down Delhi. Although the contest lies between the batting lineup of either sides on the unpredictable surface.

            

Bangalore Seek to move with Momentum against Kolkata

              The contests intensifying as the season stirring more towards the business end, in the last week it has been one sided contests and also the nail biting finishes. While Monday won’t be any different as Bangalore looking to give their best in every game which indeed needed and Kolkata is making more use of home advantage at crunch situation.
             Kolkata turned quite sharply after an unusual performance against Gujarat lions, while the win against Supergiants in D/L method favored them more  in terms of confidence booster and also in terms of net run rate. While Narine return strengthened their spin attack with much variation on offer  alongside Chawla and Shakib.
               Meanwhile batting hadn’t had a lot of work to do, but Yousuf brisk knock in the tiny chase said lot about his form in the middle order and one more  win at this situation will keep them in hunt for the top spot with Sunrisers. Although the top order look to steady the innings, after a couple of rough patches against Gujarat and Supergiants.
               On the other hand Bangalore liking the situation they were in and looking to build up on the momentum from the last game, where Gujarat lions witnessed two top class innings from ABD and Virat, which indeed helped their net run rate winning it by a record margin of 144 runs in IPL history.
                While the bowling performed well as an unit for the first time in this season, where Chahal  and Jordan  made early breakthroughs to dominate the proceedings with the ball. So with 3 matches still to play Bangalore got only option, i.e.  To win in all to make it to playoffs, with Mumbai raised into top.3 and Delhi with enough opportunities in the hand.
                The pitch at Kolkata as been on the slower side with enough assistance for batsmen and spinners, once again rain looking to formulate the result in it’s own terms.
                Kolkata look to stick with the same playing XI, but will seek for Umesh’s fitness. While Bangalore seek to axe Gayle who is struggling to make starts at the top and also look to bring in Abdulla to toughen the spin department.
                 In the meantime Kolkata won the previous encounter between the 2 sides at Bangalore and will look to repeat at home to top the table. Although the contest will depend heavily on, inform Bangalore batsmen and Kolkata’s spin attack.
   

Sunrises look to Stay at the top as Punjab seek to Stay in Humt

              Punjab need to make high roads with performance in order to make it to playoffs, but the regrouping as been going well in the second half. While Sunrisers being at the top can't make too many mistakes at the Business end of the season, as they take on KXIP at Mohali on Sunday in a crunch game.
            Punjab doing it well in the second half with change in captaincy their tactics changed on the field, so as their performance as a team. But Maxwell still to find his grooves in the middle with the bat and Amla yet to make a decent start at the top. While Vijay has been consistent at the top alongside much reliable saha and stonius, he is a good find for them both with bat and ball with match lifting performance.
            The stats says lie sometimes and with Punjab it has been the scenario, where they lost pretty close games against Bangalore and Kolkata. In the meantime bowling has been overshadowed in their losses which as been their strength with consistent performances.
             On the other side Hyderabad dependent more on Warner with the bat, as other batsmen not able strike more than 120. Adding to it middle order largely untested due Warner’s prolific form at the top and with formidable bowling attack.
            But against Delhi it's not only the batsmen but absence of an front line spinner on the dry pitch hasn't helped their way, so with being at the top of the table a win will ensure them comfortably in playoffs without any interactions.
            The pitch at Mohali as offered enough assistance for spinners and last two games as been high scoring ones. With the 4 PM start it is unlikely dew gonna effect spinners and will slow down as the game progresses.
               It will be the last game for Punjab at home and they look to capitalize on home advantage, while Hyderabad still to prove a point with their middle order and the contest gonna lie heavily on middle order batsmen facing inform bowlers of either sides.

Mumbai face Virtual Knockout against well adapting Delhi

             Mumbai tripped into an awkward position with losing against KXIP at Visakhapatnam and scenes moving quite quickly for them into a virtual Knockout scenario from here on. Once again a match at new home will be a challenge against well adapting Delhi on Sunday.
              Delhi found their lost momentum against table toppers with dominating both with bat and ball, it has been a trend followed by them with changing the team accordingly with conditions on offer. Where Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jayant complemented well alongside regulars with the ball.
              In the first half it has been a single player who turned on with bat in different situations, but now the batting firing as an unit with mixture of experience and unseasoned players.
             On the other hand Mumbai who are sticking with the same squad irrespective of the conditions, making things tough for them. The inability in  adaptability of their batsmen on slowish, spinning tracks as been an uncovered concern with the new home.
             Now they are in a peculiar situation where the remaining matches turning out be Virtual Knockouts with only two matches to play and the net run rate is a big concern which making things even complicated, nothing but to win the both games.
               The pitch at Visakhapatnam as been on the slower side with making batsmen to wait, to score runs against the slowing spinning ball and conditions won't be any different on Sunday with dew gonna effect bowlers in the second Innings.
              Meanwhile Delhi seek on the fitness of Captain Zak and will look to make changes accordingly with the given surface and opposition, while Mumbai don't have too many options to work with but look for stability with the bat and may consider Guptill at the top order.
              So with two different philosophies two sides up for the contest in challenging conditions, as the Contest heavily lies on the combination of the squad and with adaptability of batsmen against the slower balls.

Kolkata Seek to Stabilize in Playoffs against Tricky Supergaints

              It’s all over for Supergiants as far as playoff berth as considered with losing the crucial encounter against Sunrisers, while Kolkata has lot to play for as they are in strife for playoffs spot with 4 matches still to play. Now they take on Supergiants at Kolkata on Saturday to stabilize their position in playoffs.
             Supergiants struggled with injuries and also with lack of performance from bowlers in the first half of the season, but now they have 3 matches to play where they can test the bench strength in order to move forward rightly in the next season. Although more points on the table will give them more confidence and contentment.
               Meanwhile Kolkata look to rewrap after the tumbling defeat to Gujarat, where top order sent into the hunt with 24/4 on the board. Yousuf and Shakib made a huge rescue to post a challenging total, but In the end Lions made a monkey of the chase with 2 overs to spare.
             Manish Pandey hadn’t returned well after missing few games in the middle and middle order taken responsibility to fill the runs compensating the form of Suryakumar and Pandey. But they are struggled in a big way when top order hadn’t performed well, but it remains as their strength with the consistency shown by openers.
            The pitch at Kolkata as been on the slower side, even though batsmen have plenty of runs on offer with spin likely to play big part with the end of the season. Chasing as been successful enough at the ground with dew affecting spinners later on.
              So with slow surface on offer Supergiants will consider in bringing another spinner and also look to bring some of the bench players in. while Kolkata seek for Narine fitness and likely to axe  Hogg who as been expensive.
             One more win for Kolkata will stabilize their position in playoffs  and Supergiant's won’t take this contest lightly coz of position in the points table matters for their confidence. The sides may going through different scenarios but they want to win in common, as the contest lies between the top order batsmen and spinners of either sides.

Bangalore Looking for momentum as Gujarat found the lost One

          Gujarat are up with the wheels when comes to playoffs berth even with cluster of defeats, but the defeats followed by a crucial win. While Bangalore yet to find a perfect momentum to spot a place in playoffs, as they face on Gujarat at home on Sunday in a virtual knockout contest.
         So far in this season Bangalore not found their much needed momentum and in the last game against Mumbai, batting lost the plot with recording their lowest score of the season Which helped Mumbai batsmen to chase with ease. While Gayle inclusion had back fired them with his unsuccessful knocks at the top order in this summer.
         Although Bowling seems to have found some grooves in the previous games against Punjab , but Jordan yet to fire his lethal Yorkers at the batsmen toes. While Chahal impressed with fine economical rates along side Watson and Bangalore desperate in need of an collective bowling performance to complement their batsmen at home, to rise their hopes to playoffs.
          Meanwhile Gujarat found the wining way after a cluster of 3 losses in a row, where openers struggled to make starts to lay an opening Stand.  Now they are coming after a much needed break and win against Kolkata, where bowlers struck crucial blows at the top to chase an moderate total for the batsmen.
         Openers this time around laid a solid foundation, which as been their strength and weakness so far in the season, while Karthick proving to be consistent in the middle order along side Finch. But Raina and the lower middle order not replicating their standards with the bat and bowlers complementing batsmen well with wickets so far, but Bravo turning out be expensive in every game.
        The pitch at Chinnaswamy as been on the slower side in the last game, but it is dry enough for spinners to come into the party. But it’s typical nature known for plenty of runs , if the rain stays away it’s once again going to be an batsmen paradise for the taking.
        While Bangalore may gamble with Gayle once again even with his poor show, coz of this situation and his experience and Suresh Raina set to miss first ever IPL match, due to delay in arrival so Baz likely to lead the side in his absence.
         At this business end Gujarat need one more win to settle in playoffs, as Bangalore need to win all their remaining games to have a better chance to make into playoffs. While the contest determines the damage control with the ball for either sides.

Punjab face Knockout as Mumbai seek to Stabilize

                After their previous encounter against royal challengers Bangalore, both sides Mumbai and Punjab had different results in the crunch  situation. As Mumbai won it convincingly and Punjab lost it marginally, although that result made things easy for Mumbai and tough for Punjab ahead for a knockout scenario against Mumbai on Friday at Visakhapatnam.
               Mumbai fought back persuasively after their poor show against sunrises at the new home, by restricting Bangalore to a par total and later chased with ease. Even though Parthiv’s form  at the top order still remained an concern and making things tough for other top order batsmen with getting out without construction of vital starts.
                Bowling as been impressive against Bangalore Kurnal becoming an vital contributor with the ball in very game and making Haribajan’s role easy in the team.  While another win will get them closer to playoffs in the top.4 and they see it as an perfect opportunity to make it against misfiring Punjab.
             On the other side of the coin Punjab performance as been transformed largely after the modification in captaincy, but they couldn’t get over the line in the crunch situation against Bangalore in their 1 run loss. While batting yet to fire as an unit and the good patches with the bat not helping their cause.
             Bowling as been inspiration to the batsmen the way they responded at crunch situations even with par totals on the board, meanwhile at this stage where every match is a knockout contest with only 6 points on the table and a loss will be curtains to take part in playoffs.
              The pitch at Visakhapatnam  showing it’s true color with slowness of the pitch and making things tougher for batsmen and spinners have huge roles to play with an another low scoring contest on the cards.
             Meanwhile the new home posed some questions for Mumbai and they will look to answer them against Punjab, as the contest determines adaptability of batsmen on the slowing track.

Bangalore Up for even Contest against Stumbled Mumbai

               The contests intensifies as the IPL moving close to playoffs time with nail biting finishes in the last couple of days and the contest on Wednesday as it's all ingredients for an even and intense contest. As Bangalore face on  Mumbai at the Crunch situation at Chinnaswamy.
               Mumbai finding it difficult to sustain to momentum with their inconsistent performance especially with the bat, the collapse against Hyderabad was an reflection to it. The batting heavily dependent on the top.4 leading with Rohit in all their wins and parthiv seems out of touch with only couple of knocks under his belt.
             Bowling wasn't up to the  mark for the first time in the season with Mumbai, conceding too many runs in powerplay against Sunrises,. Although they have much depth with the ball to come back strong enough, but Hardik's poor form in this season hurting Mumbai's depth with the bat.
               On the other side Bangalore won last couple of games at the crunch time with postining in the second half of the table and still have a great deal of work to be done to enter into playoffs. While batting has been the strength with Rahul making Gayle absence unaffected to the top order alongside  Virat and AB's blistering knock came as a blessing against KXIP.
               While bowling is still a concern for them with expensive economy rates, but Watson has been on a different planet in the RCB camp with inspiring bowling spells at  crunch times and Chahal making most of his opportunities count in the second half with disconcerting the batsmen. But Jordan yet to make his mark in the IPL with his lethal yorkers.
              The pitch at Bangalore well known for it's run flow and on Wednesday it may not change a bit unless there are showers. While toss gonna be crucial with the dew factor later on in the game.
                Meanwhile the previous encounter between these teams won by Mumbai comfortably chasing a par score, so with the conditions on offer at Chinnaswamy Bangalore look to strengthen their bowling by axing Head for Richardson.
                In the meantime Mumbai may not consider changing their combination , as contest gonna determine the damage control with the ball at the batting paradise.

Strategy plays key role in sustaining momentum

             There are 2 strategies in picking a team one going with best Playing XI in the squad or the best suited playing XI with respect to conditions and also best suited playing XI to challenge the opposition within finding a balance both with bat and ball.
            Well each team goes with their own strategy of what works for them and also depending on composition of players they have within the squad.
              We see teams tend to go with the same playing XI when things are going their way and with some teams tend to go after analyzing the conditions and oppositions irrespective of what they are going through.
               It's important to have faith in  players the team going with, but a factor called momentum plays a key role in the game which usually favours the team that going through and at times it doesn't allow teams to see the reality with the ones going with best Playing XI in the squad.
            It happens largely due to change in different playing conditions and combination of opposition as well, those factors doesn't help the team to use the resources they have to full effect and result in heavy load on other resources. In some cases the vital resources tend to be unused and effects in huge role to be filled.
             But on the other side there are enough reasons in sticking with the best Playing XI, teams tend to think altering the side may result in change in some sort of balance and can lead to shift in momentum.
            Then what is the purpose to go with the resources that can't help in certain conditions even knowing it, well it says lot about the lack of faith in other players at the same time and that's not a good sign to possess with.
          So momentum should be used in a right way or else it as the tendency to fire back when teams tend to neglect little things that matter most like faith.

Supergiants face Virtual Knockout Contest against Rising Hyderabad

                Rising Pune supergiants now as only one thing to play for and it is to win in all the remaining games by some margin to compete for a spot in playoffs. As they face in-form  Sunrises at Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, which is the new home of Pune and virtual home of Sunrises.
                 Sunrises enjoyed Visakhapatnam advantage against mumbai it seemed like virtually playing at home for them with well known conditions on offer at the Venue. Adding to away advantage Sunrisers batting fired as unit with match lifting Innings from Dhawan, alongside consistent Warner and the brisk knock from Yuvraj as became more handy.
              Unlike Punjab with pinpoint yorkers, Sunrisers bowling as it's own versatility with swing and variations to work with. The 3 left arm seamers making life difficult for batsmen with their natural angles and added variations along side swinging Bhuvi.
             On the other side Pune are consistently firing with the bat even with added injuries to the top order. Khawaja’s replacement seems to be paying off at the top with Rahane, but the communication between the wickets with him rising some concern.
            While bowling has been led them down on most occasions and Ms tactics with holding up out of form Ashwin till to the end against Bangalore yet to be answered. Although Murugan injury made them even thinner alongside expensive Rp singh and Dinda and Rajat Bhatia as became an lonely consistent bowler for them.
           The pitch at Visakhapatnam produced runs, but became two paced in the second half. Spinners might get more help in the middle and it may not change too much with an high scoring game on the cards.
             Meanwhile supergiant's won the previous encounter against Sunrises at Hyderabad in a low scoring Contest and they gonna look for inspiration with ball, as Sunrises seek to capitalize on the virtual home advantage this time around.
              Pune may consider axing Rp singh to bring in Ishanth and also seek for Murugan’s fitness ahead if the Contest. while Sunrises may not alter the playing XI, but seek for an specialist spinner in place of Hooda and the contest lies between inconsistent supergiant bowlers matching on formidable Sunrisers bowling attack.

Kings XI and Bangalore face on Crucial Contest at the table Bottom

                  Bottom settled teams seek through for a crucial opportunity, as teams slotting their place in  playoffs. Both sides haven't had a decent tournament yet, but it's high time for them to win every game from now on, as Kings XI face on Bangalore at Mohali on Monday.
           Bangalore is the team with full of runs flowing from batsmen, but the same with the ball not helping them any means. Top order has been in prolific form with virat leading by example alongside Rahul and brisk innings from AB and Watson are always there for taking.
              But they are struggling to find perfect combination with the ball, as no one leading attack from the front there has been heavy burden on Watson with the ball. Adding to the Vows with the ball fielding has been led down too many opportunities against Pune, Although Virat’s second Ton of the season as seen through them.
             On the other side kings XI had their own concerns with the bat in the middle order,but now things looking good with some brisk finishes from Maxwell and Miller. Although lot depends on top order with in form batsmen to set a platform down the order.
             While bowling as became a trusted side for Kings XI with consistent performances from pacers and spinners, although their heroics are largely ruined by the batsmen. Death bowling bowling is where KXIP making things tighter even with solid starts from the opposition.
               Meanwhile both sides are in a peculiar situation with 3 wins apiece and coming with an important win in the last game, although both sides lost to Kolkata earlier to the win due to their concerns and this game will decide the fortunes to playoff in big time.
              The pitch at Mohali has been on the high scoring side with plenty on offer for batsmen and slowing down a bit in the second half which making it tough to Chase.
            The new additions in the form of Amla and Jordan in either sides still to perform, as Bangalore look to bring in Gayle and Kings XI may not alter their winning combination. At the end the contest gonna lie on how the teams address area of concerns.

Gujarat Seek turn-around and Kolkata look to keep simple, to Top the Table

                  Gujarat lions struggling with top order Vows which resulted  shift in momentum,  where as Kolkata found the momentum with big fire works from the middle order. Now both sides face each other to stabilize the position at table of the table on Sunday at Kolkata.
                  Kolkata recovered well after a couple of losses and building some momentum at the peak time of the season with wining couple of matches. The top order as been in prolific form with more consistent performances from Gambhir and Uttappa at the top and the middle order getting in to their groves more at this crucial point.
              Russell as been stood with all round performance and contribution with the ball as been immense in last few games. Where KKR finding easy roads even with some big overs from other bowlers. Although Chawla and Umesh as been consistent enough with the ball.
              While Gujarat fortune's seems to be turned out quite opposite in the second half with hat trick losses, where the top order struggling to make good starts. Although middle and lower chipping in with some runs, but those are only stoping from further damage with the bat.
                On other side bowling showing good signs from DK, PK along side Jadeaja, but the allronders Bravo and Faulkner failed to make a match turning point either with bat or ball.
               Pitch at Kolkata known for slowness and for spinners with business end of the tournament it might help spinners even  more. But with batting first sides got to deal with dew later on.
                 Meanwhile Kolkata likely to bring in Narine in place Hogg who as been expensive in the previous match, while Gujarat may look go alter there batting order after a brisk half century from Finch in the previous game.
              So far it as been largely  about top order batsmen and bowlers in contributions to success, as Gujarat seek a turn around and Kolkata look to keep simple, as the  contest lies between Gujarat top order batsmen facing in form Kolkata as an unit.

Momentum in Focus, as Mumbai face Sunrises in new Home

                The early monsoon started to mull the drought as Mumbai shifts for a new home since the inception of IPL,  but the same new home as been one of the old home for Sunrises in earlier seasons. So mulling the home advantage apart both teams clash each other with sitting middle of the table at Vishapatnam on Sunday.
                Mumbai may not have the home advantage as in Wankhede, but with hat trick wins the momentum as been going well through them. Rohit as been leading from the front along side Rayudu and with some glimpse of fire works from Butler and Pollard.
              While Sunrises too recovered well after their loss to Pune, later won back to back games against Bangalore and Gujarat. So as Rohit, for Sunrises it is Warner leading them with the bat and brisk knocks from Dhawan and Williamson as been handy.
              But Sunrises struggled when their captain couldn't play big, it as been their strength and weakness in the batting. Yuvraj hadn't started convincingly with the bat against lions, where his form going to be crucial in the long run through the middle and lower order.
             Meanwhile Bowling as been consistent for either sides and complementing their batsmen well even with lack of runs on the boards. While Sunrises bowlers so far as been stand out attack in restricting appositions and Mumbai are not far behind with leading wicket takers of the season in the squad.
              The pitch at Visakhapatnam might not be that old batsmen friendly, the recently concluded T20 between Srilanka and India produced a  low scoring Contest with enough assistance for spinners.
                So with two sides going through some momentum and it will a crucial contest to watch for, as a win increases the chances to playoffs, the contest gonna lie on batsmen of either sides facing either bowling attacks.

Strengthened Sunrises look to Stop Gujarat's away Form

                 Gujarat Lions as been successful away from home with out losing a game and at home lost 3 out of 5 games played at Rajkot. While  Hyderabad as mixed results with 3: 2 win ratio at home, now Gujarat look to continue their away form, as Hyderabad seek to capitalize on home advantage on Friday.
                Gujarat seems slipping it's winning momentum after back to back losses at home and their wins earlier covered their thin batting lineup with blazing opening stands. But Gujarat as struggled a lot in the 3 losses where openers failed, it shows their dependence heavily on top 4 with the bat.
                 Meanwhile bowling as been consistent enough up front with DK and PK, but in the last two games bowlers couldn't do much with their poor show with bat. Although their death bowling is also an area of concern which covered by big runs from batsmen.
               On the other side Hyderabad is not far behind from Gujarat in terms of dependence heavily on the top order,  where Warner alone leading the side in most games. But availability of Yuvraj will strengthen their batting now along side Dhawan and Williamson.
              While bowling as been consistent enough so far in this season for sunrises and with addition of Nehra in the previous games made it formidable enough along with Henriques.
              The pitch may not be dry enough for spinners with showers on Thursday and predicted rain on Friday. In the last game against Bangalore batsmen dominated with bulk of runs, although Pacers have done well at Hyderabad and with the moisture around they will be handy early on.
              In the meantime Hyderabad consider replacing Yuvraj in place of Hooda or Ashish Reddy and Rajkot look for fitness of Bravo with axe one of overseas player. While the Contest gonna lie heavily on between top order batsmen of either sides and with the win against Gujarat in previous encounter Sunrises holds edge.

Settled Delhi face on Prolonging Pune

                  Delhi as showen their stability in the combination and tactics so far in this season and making high roads in to playoffs, as Pune struggling with stability in the combination and tactics as well with injuries and it's the crucial stage of the tournament to come good at Kotla on Thursday.
               Delhi found a new hero with the bat in every single game and making them more competitive against any side. Rishabh Pant as been the new hero against lions along side Dekock, where he smashed a match winning knock of 69 in 40 balls.
            Along side their new heroes in every match with bat, bowlers as been consistent enough in every game and well led by Captain Zak in terms of tactics with the ball. for the first time in the season they conceded only 35 in the powerplay against lions, where their concern as been in the previous games.
              On the other side the new franchise struggled with combinations early on and when they started to find a Combination a injury as been hit them badly. Now they are in a crucial phase with only 2 wins in 8 games, where they need to rearrange the combination with replacements of Khawaja and Bailey.
             While the bowling attack as been inconsistent and not able to compensate injured batting order, although their premier bowler R Ashwin form as been more an concern for them along side their lack of specialist death bowler.
               The pitch at Kotla as been a runfest in the previous games and it may favour pacers early on, on Thursday with moisture in the air due to rain around the corner.
                Meanwhile Delhi may not consider any changes in the squad and Pune will bring in Khawaja and Bailey to the side to find a new combination. What ever may be the combinations of both sides, the contest lies between Pune batsmen and Delhi bowlers.

Kolkata look top the table against Struggling KXIP batsmen

                The business end of the tournament building up with quite uneven results to that of first half of the season, as Kings XI face on Kolkata Knight riders on Wednesday at Kolkata after their much needed moral win agianst Gujarat lions.
             KXIP showed glimpse of winning after their poor performance in the previous games, the win agianst Gujarat as lot to look from the bowlers in defending an par score. Although batsmen still finding their groves, which in turn may not help their cause with this attitude at the Business end of the tournament.
               Adding the pain to the injury of KXIP batsmen, Shaun Marsh Injury leaves them in an more confused state in terms of Combination of the squad. While bowlers have showed decent performance with the ball, but batsmen failed to post a big total on the board so far.
            On the other side Kolkata won their last game agianst Bangalore, where they found the lost in momentum with  much needed big hits from Pathan and Russell. After a uneven performance from the middle order in the previous games and those big hits helps them a lot along side their top order.
              While bowling as been their strength over the season with quality spinners in the attack, while Narine yet to make his mark in this season.
                The pitch at Kolkata as been good for spinners along long side big boundaries, while Kolkata lost and won a game piece in the season at the home.
                Meanwhile King XI look for changes with injury to Shaun Marsh, which makes a way for Behardien and this change may also bring vohra at the top of the order. While Kolkata look to bring in Shakib to add spin to attack leaving Lynn.
                Kolkata won in the previous encounter agianst KXIP at Mohali and they seek to capitalize on that psychologically and playing at home will be an added bonus. Any ways the contest gonna lie heavily on misfiring visitors batsmen against the hosts bowlers.
                
            
          

Both teams Seek to stop free Flowing Runs at Batting Paradise

                 Home is a place where teams feel good and confident enough, but for Bangalore, it turned out to be a neutral venue at home with the way bowling as been performed and also due to the nature of the pitch. But they hope to turn around things, as the home side take on Kolkata on Monday.
             Kolkata seems slipped slightly a bit after Hattrick wins followed by 2 back to back losses, the blueprint has been pretty simple for visitors with bowling unit restricting oppositions to a par total and then chased with precision.
             But in the last 2 games, things haven't gone through the blueprint and batting order showed the absence of Pandey along side their abnormal bowling performance. Although batsmen struggling against good bowling unit in making big scores, where Russell and Pathan failed to finish with big hits.
             On the other side, Bangalore has been promising with the bat as ever and with new lines of Rahul and Jadhav making things easy around for Virat and AB. While Gayle's return will strengthen the batting even more.
               Meanwhile, the bowling struggling to complement the batting performance, where their balance alters with inexperience and making things even complicated for batsmen during chases and defending as well.
                   The pitch at Bangalore known for quite a run-fest and the equation at Chinnaswamy going to be simple for teams should score big as many possible.
                Gayle likely to return to the squad with playing at home and the reaming squad may not alter much, while Kolkata will bring in Shakib to strengthen the batting and may also consider an additional batsman in the lineup.
                While Kolkata looks into their bowling after a poor show so as the home side, as the Contest determines the damage control with the ball at Chinnaswamy.