With the Indian Premier League heading in to the business end of the season, defending champions Mumbai Indians have emerged as favourites to retain their crown. The only team to have secured a place in the playoffs of the cash-rich tournament, Mumbai occupy the top rank with 16 points to their name. Having won their last game against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Kieron Pollard-led squad has been gobsmackingly good this tournament, asserting their dominance and dismantling opposition sides.

With four titles to their name, the Mumbai franchise will look to become the first team since Chennai Super Kings in 2010-2011, to win two back to back IPL trophies. Breathing down their necks however are Royal Challengers Bangalore who played their last final in 2016 and Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals, who are yet to win the tournament.

Virat Kohli’s men sit second on the points table with 14 points from their 12 games, losing five while winning seven. Bangalore’s feat of 14 points from seven wins have been matched by the Delhi Capitals side who sit third, inferior on net run rate.

The tussle for the fourth spot is in full gear with KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals all battling out to make it into the final round of the tournament. 

Kings XI Punjab who last played the final in 2014, have won five games on the trot, and are on the cusp of making a remarkable comeback. With 12 points to their name Punjab sit fourth on the table, with Kolkata Knight Riders sitting on fifth with 12 points having played a match more.

Orange cap holder

In the table for most runs scored, Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul enjoys a handsome lead at the top with 595 runs to his name, and currently holds the Orange Cap. Averaging at a staggering 59.5 runs per innings the Punjab captain who recently secured a place in the Indian team has been leading his side from the front.

Shikhar Dhawan sits second on the runs table with 471 runs to his name, having scored two back to back centuries. The explosive Indian opener also has two half centuries to his name.

David Warner has been consistent with his bat for Sunrisers Hyderabad and has 436 runs to his name and is followed by Virat Kohli at number four with 424 runs. Fifth on the list is Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal with 417 runs to his name.

Purple cap holder

South African ace pacer Kagiso Rabada has been in sumptuous form breathing fire with the ball and has 23 wickets to his name. The 25-year-old Purple Cap holder has been castling batsmen and delivering vital breakthroughs for his team.

Jasprit Bumrah sits second on the Purple Cap chart with 20 wickets to his name, and has been instrumental in Mumbai’s successful run in the tournament, with him on 20 wickets sit Mohammed Shami of Kings XI Punjab. The team India pacer occupies third spot to his faltering economic rate and has been expensive despite his marauding form.

Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Rashid Khan sit fourth and fifth on the top wicket takers. The Bangalore spinner Chahal has 18 wickets to his name and Hyderabad’s Afghan export Rashid Khan has bamboozled opposition batsmen and has 17 wickets for his side.