IPL 2021: Here’s how the points table stands, player changes and other details

The first half of the Indian Premier league unfolded some really intriguing contests. Unfortunately, the tournament had to be called off as Covid cases were found in few camps. A total of 29 games were played in the first half of the tournament.

DelhiCapitals: Rishabh Pant’s table-toppers are on a roll with 6 wins out of 8 games. They need only two more wins to make the playoffs. The mighty opening pair of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan and the returning Shreyas Iyer in the middle will beef up the batting. Can their spinners Ashwin and Axar continue to shine in the UAE? The faster men need to pull up their socks.

Pullout: Chris Woakes

Dropped/Injured: M Siddharth, Aniruddha Joshi

Replacements: Ben Dwarshuis, Kulwant Khejroliya, Shreyas Iyer

Chennai Super Kings:MS Dhoni’s men are second on the table. If their first-stage form is anything to go by, a playoffs spot shouldn’t be difficult. A healthy NRR (+1.26) should stand them in good stead if things get a little tight. CSK have had good preparation leading up to the tournament, with most of their players assembling in Dubai a month before the second phase. Sam Curran will sit out of the first game as he is quarantining. There is a question mark over the fitness of Faf du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo, who have joined after finishing CPL commitments.

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Changes: None.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:Virat Kohli’s boys began their campaign with an important win over defending champions MI in the opener, and it has gone on to be one of their better seasons. RCB have won 5 of 7 matches, with the 2 losses coming against CSK and PBKS. At the halfway mark, they are 3rd with 10 points. Apart from main man AB de Villiers, there have been consistent contributions from Glenn Maxwell and Devdutt Padikkal too. An opportunity for Kohli to find some form.

Pullouts: Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Finn Allen, Daniel Sams, Washington Sundar

Replacements: Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmanta Chameera, Tim David, George Garton, Akash Deep

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Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma’s invincibles are all set to relaunch their bid for a 3rd straight and 6th overall IPL title. That they are playing on the true wickets of UAE, where they clinched their fifth title last year, is a bonus. They are 4th on the table with 8 points after seven games. MI seem to be gaining momentum after a typically slow start. Their batsmen struggled on the slow wickets of Chennai but once they shifted to Delhi, the big guns boomed. Keep an eye on Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya’s batting form.

Dropped/Injured: Mohsin Khan

Replacement: Roosh Kalaria

Rajasthana Royals: The absence of Archer and Stokes was an early setback for a team heavily reliant on a few overseas stars, and Buttler’s pullout is a further blow. They are 5th on the table with 6 points (3 wins and 4 losses). The bowling too is heavily dependant on star buy Chris Morris, who is the secondhighest wicket-taker so far. Now all eyes are on big-hitters Liam Livingstone and Evin Lewis to deliver. Keep an eye on top-ranked T20I bowler Tabraiz Shamsi.

Pullouts: Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Andrew Tye

Replacements: Glenn Phillips, Evin Lewis, Oshane Thomas and Tabraiz Shamsi

Punjab Kings: Punjab ave their backs to the wall, being placed 6th out of 8 teams. Their temperament under pressure is under the scanner. The KL Rahul-led side has managed only three wins from the previous leg, and will need to win at least five of their remaining six matches to remain in contention for a spot in the playoffs. Once again, the onus is on Rahul, Agarwal and Shami to deliver.

Pullouts: Dawid Malan, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson

Replacements: Aiden Markram, Nathan Ellis, Adil Rashid

Kolkata knight Riders: All but out of contention as they need to win almost all their remaining seven matches. Languishing at 7th position with 4 points from seven matches with only two wins. The top-order has failed to fire and the middle-order has been brittle. KKR will be hoping Andre Russell and captain Morgan both come to the party with the bat. The bowlers too have been lacklustre and have struggled to break partnerships.

Pullout: Pat Cummins

Replacement: Tim Southee

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Sunrisers Hyderabad: Nothing has gone right for them in the first half of the season. Only 2 points from seven outings means they are bringing up the rear, a sorry state of affairs for a team loaded with potential match-winners. David Warner’s poor form with the bat meant he was forced to relinquish the captaincy to Williamson mid-season. The suspect middle-order also needs to fire, especially Manish Pandey. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads an attack that relies heavily on Rashid Khan to deliver in every game.

Pullout: Jonny Bairstow

Replacement: Sherfane Rutherford.