IPL 2019: Five talking points from the fifth week of the tournament

#2 CSK minus Dhoni are struggling

CSK against MI (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

CSK's 46-run defeat to arch-rivals Mumbai Indians - their second successive win over the defending champions this season- was another reminder how much the Men in Yellow are dependent on Thala - MS Dhoni, both with the bat as well as on the field.

While Suresh Raina's tactics with the ball were questionable, it was the batting where CSK missed MSD the most. The likes of Raina, Kedar Jadhav, and Ambati Rayudu have had a forgettable thus far and barring Murali Vijay (38), no one could post any resistance to Mumbai's bowling. They might have qualified for the playoffs but the overreliance on one man could hurt them in the business end of the tournament.

---

#1 Russell finally gets promoted; Hardik Pandya outperforms Russell without muscle

Andre Russell and Hardik Pandya (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

Kolkata Knight Riders' six-match losing streak that prompted Andre Russell to wench his frustrations about the decision making of the team management in the press-conference, finally came to a halt in their must-win encounter against the Mumbai Indians.

It took a six-match losing streak for KKR to finally get their batting order right and it paid dividends right away. Shubman Gill was imperious at the top. The right-hander played some dazzling shots; his flicks, cover-drives, lofted shots off the spinners were reminiscent of a certain Virat Kohli. Lynn too played a whirlwind knock of 54 off 29 balls but it was the combination of Andre Russell and Gill that stole the show from MI.

Russell is in outstanding form this season and his exploits at the No.3 spot only highlight what KKR had been missing so far. The Caribbean all-rounder was at it again as he (80 off 40 balls) and Gill (76 off 45 balls) took apart the Mumbai Indians bowling, to help their side register 2-232 after 20 overs - the highest total in this years IPL. Russell smoked eight sixes during his innings to become only the second cricketer after Chris Gayle to hit 50 IPL sixes in a season.

But the game was not done yet as Hardik Pandya reminded us that he might not have the muscle like Russell but when it comes to six-hitting, he's second to none. Pandya has been in some form this season. In fact, ever since he has come back from his suspension, Pandya looks driven.

On Sunday, we saw Pandya's hitting abilities at its very best. He clobbered, pulled, helicoptered, drove inside-out, scooped before taking the spinners downtown in an astonishing assault of 31-ball 91. His first 50 runs came in just 17 balls, making it the fastest IPL half-century this year. Pandya also became only the second Indian to complete a double of 2000 runs and 100 T20 wickets after Ravindra Jadeja.