With the 2022 IPL having concluded its eighth week of competition and with that the league stage, Team TSZ has analysed both the results and performances of the ten franchises 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 – CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
It was a disappointing end of the season for Chennai Super Kings, who were beaten by five wickets at the hands of Rajasthan Royals, meaning the reigning IPL champions end the season in ninth-place with just eight points, one of just two franchises with a single-figure points total.
NINTH – MUMBAI INDIANS
Although Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the league table, they take ninth-place in this week’s power rankings due to having won one of their two games played across the week. A narrow three-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad was backed up by an impressive five wicket triumph over Delhi Capitals, which knocked Rishabh Pant’s side out of the competition.
EIGHTH – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s disastrous run of six defeats from their last seven games put paid to any hopes they had of reaching the playoffs and although they snapped a five-match losing streak in week eight by overcoming Mumbai Indians, they could not back that result up as they were beaten by Punjab Kings in the final match of the 2022 IPL league stage.
SEVENTH – KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Kolkata Knight Riders ended their IPL campaign in disappointment as they were unable to pull off what would have been a memorable run chase against Lucknow Super Giants. Facing a target of 211 to win, KKR managed 208/8 in response, an admirable but fruitless effort which left them with a 6-8 record and a seventh-place finish across the league stage.
SIXTH – DELHI CAPITALS
IPL fans will understandable wonder why we placed Delhi Capitals sixth in this week’s power rankings, above Punjab Kings despite the Capitals overcoming them last Monday. The reason is that despite Delhi having playoff qualification in the palm of their hands, they managed to blow it in the most underwhelming of fashions, losing to an already eliminated Mumbai Indians and allowing RCB to advance at their expense. Such a poor result and performance in such a critical contest from their perspective warrants this ranking.
FIFTH – PUNJAB KINGS
Punjab Kings saw their hopes of a top four finish come to an end at the start of week eight, as they lost by 17 runs against Delhi Capitals, although credit has to be given to the Kings, who bounced back admirably to finish their season on a high this past weekend with a five-wicket triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Not the season they would have been hoping for, but at least some building blocks in which they can take into next year.
FOUTH – GUJARAT TITANS
Although Gujarat Titans finish the league stage top of the tree with 20 points to their name, it was a week eight to forget for them. With qualification already secured, it was somewhat no surprise to see them off the boil against RCB, their score of 168/5 chased down with eight balls and eight wickets remaining. However, it’s been a wonderful debut IPL year for them as the only side to garner ten wins across the league and expect a much-improved Titans performance in the playoffs.
THIRD – RAJASTHAN ROYALS
Rajasthan Royals proved their credentials again in week eight, ending their league campaign by narrowly overcoming Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. It was a nerve-racking chase of 151 to win, but Royals managed to get home with just two balls remaining. They now enter the playoffs on the back of a victory and a second-place finish which means a showdown with Gujarat Titans for a place in the 2022 IPL final.
SECOND – LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
Lucknow Super Giants have also enjoyed a successful first year as an IPL franchise an enter the playoffs with arguably the strongest top order of the four teams remaining. They proved this in week eight, racking up 210 for the loss of no wickets in their win over Kolkata Knight Riders and provided that their bowlers can back up the runs expected to be scored by the batters with wickets, then the Super Giants could well be the side lifting silverware come the 2022 IPL’s conclusion.
FIRST – ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Form is temporary, class is permanent and with their tournament on the line, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Virat Kohli stepped up to the plate. Chasing 169 to beat league leaders Gujarat Titans, the RCB and Indian cricket superstar struck a fantastic 72 to help drive his side to victory, putting on 115 for the first wicket with captain Faf du Plessis, before Glenn Maxwell took the reins by smashing 40 from 18 deliveries. It was a superb performance by this RCB unit worthy of top spot in our week eight power rankings and it would take a brave fan to write them off ahead of the playoffs.
