The latest edition of the Indian Premier League has eight matches to go before the semi final stage with all but one team still in contention.
There has been a bit of jostling for positions in the previous two IPL’s but never have finals berths been so keenly contested.
Led by legendary Sachin Tendulkar, the Mumbai Indians are the clear leaders on 18 points, followed by six teams on 12 and the Kolkata Knights Riders in seventh place on 10.
The Kings XI Punjab are a further two back on 8 points and out of the running for this years tournament but threw the tournament wide open with recent victories over the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.
After 12 rounds:
Mumbai Indians: 18points (+1.116 net run rate)
Chennai Super Kings: 12 (+0.348)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 12pts (+0.343)
Delhi Daredevils: 12 (+0.024)
Rajasthan Royals: 12 (-0.288)
Deccan Chargers: 12 (-0.438)
Kolkata Knight Riders: 12 (-0.632)
Kings XI Punjab: 12 (-0.484)
BLACKCAPS in the IPL
Ross Taylor
Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Royal Challengers Bangalore were hotly tipped to make the finals this year and started the tournament with four wins from five matches but a late form slump has them teetering.
Taylor has shown glimpses of his ability with a brisk 22 but he has failed to replicate the form he produced in HRV Cup.
Remaining matches:
Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
April 14 - Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
+1d NZ, 2:30am
April 17 - Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
NZ, 11:30pm
Daniel Vettori
Delhi Daredevils
The Delhi Daredevils have lost the last three on the trot with one more defeat likely to see them exit the tournament.
Vettori has been a steady performer, averaging 33 with the bat and going for 8.31 runs per over from his three matches.
Remaining matches:
April 15 - Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Daredevils
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
+1d NZ, 2:30am
April 18 - Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
+1d NZ, 2:30am
Brendon McCullum & Shane Bond
Kolkata Knight Riders
Like most sides in the IPL, it has been a roller-coaster run for the Kolkata Knight Riders who have won just five of their 12 matches. They still have an outside chance of making the semi-finals if they finish strongly.
Fast bowler Bond has been a useful performer for Kolkata with a bowling average of 30 and economy of 7.82.
McCullum has put in one decent innings of 45 but failed in his other two attempts. Kolkata will need him to fire as they head toward the business end of the season.
Remaining matches
April 17 - Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
+1d NZ, 2:30am
April 19 - Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
+1d NZ, 2:30am
