IPL – Performance Power Rankings Week 1

With the 2022 IPL underway, Team TSZ has analysed both the results and performances of the ten franchises so far and ranked them from tenth to first based on who has impressed the most. Be sure to bookmark the Cricket section of TSZ’s official website as we’ll be bringing out IPL Power Rankings every week assessing the best (and worst) performing sides of the competition so far.

TENTH – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

In our pre-tournament predictions article, we tipped Sunrisers Hyderabad to be the lowest ranked side in this year’s IPL and based on their opening match of the competition, they’ve done little to change our opinion. A 61-run defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals tells its own story with their top order batting looking comfortably the weakest of all ten teams so far.

NINTH – CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

For the first time in IPL history, Chennai Super Kings have lost both their first two IPL fixtures of the season. After being beaten by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2022 curtain raiser, CSK fell to a second successive six-wicket loss five days later, this time courtesy of Lucknow Super Giants. It has not been the start that new captain Ravindra Jadeja would have wanted with the bowling in particular a huge disappointment, most recently failing to defend a score of 210/7 against Lucknow.

EIGHTH – MUMBAI INDIANS

As is typical of Mumbai Indians under head coach Mahela Jayawardene, they began the new campaign with defeat, after their total of 177/5 did not prove enough to defend against Delhi Capitals. Their expensively assembled middle-order failed to catch fire with the bat, whilst Jasprit Bumrah had a rare off-day with the ball. Although the expectation is that Mumbai will rise up the rankings as the weeks go on, they start low-down on the totem pole.

SEVENTH – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to put together a complete performance with both bat and ball, leading to them claiming seventh-place in these rankings. Whilst they fired with the bat against Punjab Kings, the bowlers let them down as their opponents chased down 206 to win. Although RCB bounced back by beating Kolkata Knight Riders, they lost seven wickets in chasing down 129 after an excellent bowling performance saw them skittle KKR for 128.

SIXTH – KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

Although it may seem strange that Kolkata Knight Riders rank above RCB despite losing to Faf du Plessis’ side most recently, KKR have already accrued a positive net-run-rate across the competition so far and looked far more convincing in their one win of the 2022 IPL so far. Their six-wicket victory over reigning champions Chennai Super Kings was a big scalp in what was an all-round dominant performance with both bat and ball. A work in progress, but all the signs are that captain Shreyas Iyer is moulding together a solid unit alongside head coach Brendon McCullum.

FIFTH – LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS

Most impressive about Lucknow Super Giants has been their character shown following defeat against fellow newbies Gujarat Titans. To bounce back and chase down 211 with four wickets remaining against a team of Chennai Super Kings’ pedigree was a massive statement in which Lucknow showed why their top order is rightly considered as one of the most destructive in the competition. Question marks remain over their bowling, but their top order batting alone earns them a fifth-place birth in our power rankings.

FOUTH – GUJARAT TITANS

Played one, won one! For Gujarat Titans, it couldn’t be a better start to life in the IPL as they secured a five-wicket triumph over Lucknow Super Giants this past Monday. Indian international Mohammed Shami looks an excellent acquisition with the ball, whilst their middle-order hitters such as David Miller and Rahul Tewatia proved their capability of pulling Gujarat through in tight chases when facing a high run-rate. A very promising debut showing indeed.

THIRD – PUNJAB KINGS

Punjab Kings made some major moves in the mega auction to breathe new life into their franchise and early signs are that the decision has paid off following their win over RCB. A successful run chase of 206 with an over to spare underlined the strength-in-depth among the Punjab batting with the experienced Shikhar Dhawan already looking like a smart acquisition. Although the bowling attack only took two wickets, they are expected to improve going forward with the arrival of South African star Kagiso Rabada, whilst England international Jonny Bairstow will further strengthen the batting.

SECOND – DELHI CAPITALS

Those who worried about Delhi Capitals due to the unavailability of numerous overseas players were left in doubt as to the quality of Rishabh Pant’s after they defeated the five-time champion Mumbai Indians in their opening match of the season. The Capitals’ contain a strong core of Indian talent within their bowling unit and used it to great effect, shutting down Mumbai’s explosive middle order, before the batters successfully reached their victory target of 178. Although both teams were missing key players in week one, Delhi rank above Punjab as their victory came against stronger opposition.

FIRST – RAJASTHAN ROYALS

We’ve only had good things to say about Rajasthan Royals since the mega-auction and the manner of their week one victory has left us in no doubt as to their credentials in the 2022 IPL. Sanju Samson’s men thrashed SRH by 61 runs and although the opposition was not the strongest, the manner of Rajasthan’s win was so emphatic that they fully warrant top spot in our week one power rankings. As expected, the bowling attack was vastly improved and so much more rounded with numerous match-winners as opposed to just one. Combine that with an excellent top order of young Indian talent complemented by England white ball star Jos Buttler and so far, Rajasthan Royals have shown the recipe for success.