IPL 2020 mid-term report card

The start of the Indian Premier League was a breath of fresh air to the international cricketing circuit after the pandemic had erased half the year's calendar.

This season has been more exhilarating as compared to the previous few seasons. With the end of the game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Kolkata Knight Riders, the competition has reached its halfway mark. We now have enough data to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of all the teams.

So how have the eight teams fared so far? Let's go over the statistics, starting from the bottom of the table, and rate their performances in four key areas of the game.

1) Kings XI Punjab

Batting: 4

Bowling: 4

Fielding: 6

Captaincy and Decisions: 4

Average: 4.25

Best performer: KL Rahul

Though they started the tournament on a positive note, Kings XI are now back to their usual problems. Their fielding has been average, and their batting has looked great only when the two star performers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have performed. Though both are in contention for the Orange Cap, the rest of the batting performances have been dull (with the exception of a few occasional strikes from Nicolas Pooran).

Their bowling has been mediocre too. The performances of Mohammad Shami and Ravi Bishnoi have been impressive but inconsistent. The team will need more steady performances from Sheldon Cottrell and Chris Jordan in order to bounce back.

Kings XI's captaincy and team selections have left the fans baffled, especially with Chris Gayle not playing in any match so far. Though Rahul has been scoring runs, his slow starts have often put pressure on the tailenders.

With a shaky middle order, unimpressive bowling display and mediocre game plan, it's hard to imagine the Kings making it to the playoffs this year.

2) Chennai Super Kings

Batting: 4

Bowling: 5

Fielding: 4

Captaincy and Decisions: 3

Average: 4

Best Performer: Sam Curran

Has MS Dhoni lost his old mojo?

Chennai Super Kings, the most prolific side in the history of the tournament, have baffled everyone with their tepid performances. Their batting is no better than Punjab's; barring one match where they blew Kings XI out of the water, they have been underperforming.

Faf du Plessis has played his share of good games, and the inclusion of Narayan Jagadeeshan over a clueless Kedhar Jadhav seems like a good decision. However, with the middle order lacking ammunition, Chennai's batting order looks like a pale shadow of its former self.

Their bowling has been slightly better. Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar have had their share of high and lows, but Curran has put on a decent show.

Chennai has arguably the worst fielders amongst all the teams, and it seems like the higher average age of the squad is taking its toll. MS Dhoni looks like a troubled version of his past self and Stephen Fleming has seemed restless throughout the tournament, which is something out of character for both the stalwarts.

Logic-defying decisions like persisting with Jadhav, tinkering with the middle order, and benching Imran Tahir have not worked out for them. Though the fans are still hopeful of a fairytale ending like the one they had 10 years ago, Chennai doesn't look like it will be holding one of the top four places on the IPL table.

3) Rajasthan Royals

Batting: 6

Bowling 6

Fielding 6

Captaincy and Decisions: 6

Average: 6

Best Player: Rahul Tewatia

Tewatia is the best thing that happened to Rajasthan Royals this season

Though the Royals started the tournament with a bang, they then lost four matches and almost succumbed to another defeat in the fifth. Their batting has been unpredictable but they have occasionally found saviors like Rahul Tewatia and Sanju Samson.

In the bowling, Jofra Archer has been reliable and Tewatia has been consistent. And with the arrival of Ben Stokes, things may get better for them.

Their fielding has been decent although they have dropped some easy wickets.

Steven Smith has not been in the best of form and his captaincy is a reflection of his disposition. The decision to open with Ben Stokes in the last match did raise a few eyebrows.

Rajasthan might have a path to the playoffs if they are able to narrow it down to one winning formula.

4) Sunrisers Hyderabad

Batting: 7

Bowling: 7

Fielding 6.5

Captaincy: 6.5

Average: 6.75

Best Player: Rashid Khan

Rashid has been economical and deadly

The Sunrisers started the tournament on a disappointing note but have bounced back well. Their batting has been heavily reliant on the openers, and the duo of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow haven't let them down. With Manish Pandey and the young Priyam Garg also chipping in when required, their batting lineup looks reasonably solid.

T Natarajan and Rashid Khan have been instrumental to the Sunrisers' successful streak. They are certainly missing Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the death overs, but their fielding has been excellent.

Warner's captaincy has not been the most innovative and he has often lost his temper in crunch situations. Issues with bowling during death overs still exist, but some determination and advice from Kane Williamson could push the Sunrisers into the top four spots.

5) Kolkata Knight Riders

Batting: 7

Bowling 7

Fielding 7

Captaincy and Decisions: 5

Average: 6.5

Best player: Eoin Morgan

Morgan has been a revelation for KKR

Kolkata arguably has the best batting lineup on paper. Shubman Gill has been great and Eoin Morgan has brought his underrated skills to the game. If Rahul Tripathi is back to the opening slot then the Knight Riders will have a good batting order. They would do well if they can get Andre Russell back in form as well.

Their bowling has been great, with the young Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and Prasidh Krishna all performing well throughout the tournament. Dinesh Karthik's captaincy has been underwhelming though; he has taken some bizarre decisions with the batting order, which have not helped his team.

Karthik is barely doing justice to the plethora of resources at his disposal. Though Kolkata are seemingly at a good spot right now, they do have to tighten a few screws to ensure a playoff berth.

6. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Batting: 8

Bowling: 7

Fielding: 7

Captaincy and Decisions: 7

Average: 7.25

Best Player: Yuzvendra Chahal

Padikkal could be the find of the tournament

Much to the delight of their faithful fans, Royal Challengers Bangalore have performed quite well this season.

Though their batting performance has been questionable, the young Devdutt Padikkal and captain Virat Kohli have made sure that RCB have stayed afloat. However, they would be hoping for Aaron Finch and AB de Villiers to perform on a regular basis too.

Isuru Udana and Chris Morris have been bowling well during the death overs and Washington Sundar has been exceptional during the powerplay overs. However, Chahal has been their leading performer with the ball.

Their fielding has been steadily improving too, which is a great omen for the team.

Virat Kohli has been decent as a captain, though he started off with some bad decisions like sending Shivam Dube to bowl during the death overs.

All in all, Bengaluru looks like a decent team this year that can push for a place in the playoffs. A little bit of luck could even make their "e sala cup namde" dream finally come true.

7) Delhi Capitals

Batting: 8.5

Bowling: 8

Fielding: 8.5

Captaincy and Decisions: 9

Average: 8.5

Best Player: Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer

It is refreshing to watch the Delhi bunch play, as they embody the never-give-up attitude in all their games. With solid starts from Prithvi Shaw, responsible knocks from Shreyas Iyer and late flourishes from Rishabh Pant and Marcus Stoinis, Delhi's batting lineup looks perfect.

Their bowling is almost equally good. Their bowling during the death overs has been on point, with Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje holding the fort. Axar Patel keeps things quiet in the middle overs but their fifth bowler could be a cause of concern.

Delhi also has one of the best fielding units in the league. However, the true strength of the team is Shreyas Iyer's captaincy.

With a legendary leader like Ricky Ponting to back him up, Iyer has almost always had a trick up his sleeve. This is a management that does its homework.

Delhi seems to have a plan for every opposition batsman while bowling. They have quickly become the side to beat in the tournament, and there is a good chance that the team may end this tournament with the first piece of silverware in their history.

8. Mumbai Indians

Batting: 8

Bowling: 8.5

Fielding: 9

Captaincy: 8.5

Average: 8.5

Best Player: Kieron Pollard

Pollard is rolling back the years as a batsman, bowler, and fielder.

Once again, Mumbai Indians are back on track after a dull start. The reason behind their success, as always, has been their core unit, with one or two players always taking up the onus to lead the team.

Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have all been brilliant, Rohit Sharma has guided his troops well, and the Pandya duo and Kieron Pollard have showcased some of their best finishes.

In the bowling, Jasprit Bumrah, James Pattinson and Trent Boult are rattling the their opponents consistently. Mumbai also has the best fielding unit in the tournament by far.

Rohit has always made good use of his resources, and his team selection has been perfect. Mumbai is almost guaranteed a playoff berth at this point. And with their prior experience in knockout games, Rohit Sharma could add another trophy to his illustrious career in IPL by this time next month.