The Indian Carnival

As always, Chennai has entered the tournament as favourites and duly justified themselves. They won three of their opening games before Hardik Pandya's all-round show gave the first jolt. The best part for them has been Dhoni and Tahir's form. Even a defeat against Mumbai wouldn't be of concern for star-studded CSK. Though they are now 3rd in the ranking, an upward move is around the corner.

Key Players: Suresh Raina,

Shane Watson, MS Dhoni

Boosted by Andre Russell, the Knight Riders have not set a foot wrong this season. A super-over loss did come against the Capitals, but that was due to pure death bowling from Khagiso Rabada. Lynn's form is a spot of bother at the top for Kolkata, but the middle order has looked solid with Russell being the superman for KKR without a cape.

Key Players: Andre Russell,

Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa

With Warner and Bairstow already

shattering records after registering an opening stand of 185, Sunrisers have come strong after losing their first game. The inclusion of Afghan all-rounders – Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi – has added great balance to the team with depth in the batting line-up. Vijay Shankar too seems in his purple patch with the bat, and they are now probably among the most settled teams going into the second quarter of the season.

Key Players: David Warner, Jonny

Bairstow, Mohammad Nabi

Five consecutive losses and the Bangalore team has already become subject to many jokes. Everything that could have gone wrong so far for RCB this season has gone wrong. The Kohli-ABD duo did fire the last game and helped them put on a 200-plus total, but lack of death bowling had cost them the game. They have put themselves in a situation where the chances of a play-off berth is bleak.

Key Players: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis

So far, the season has been a mixed bag for the men in blue. Rohit's form appears parallel with Mumbai's health; and, as of now, the skipper is yet to find his magical touch. Pollard seems to have lost his hitting ability, becoming a burden in the middle-order. With the Pandya brothers getting things right, it is time Mumbai brings in Ben Cutting to have yet another all-round option in place of aging Pollard.

Key Players: Rohit Sharma,

Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah

Rajasthan have unexpectedly lost three on the trot after winning their first game against Bangalore. They are still searching for the correct combination and must buckle up quickly if they want a berth in the play-offs. Samson did manage the first century of the season, but the inability of the Royals to up the ante in the slog overs has cost them dear. They are now 7th with just one win.

Key Players: Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes

The season started on a controversial note for Punjab with the mankading of Jos Buttler. Except for their loss against Knight Riders, the Kings men have been on top of their game and are just behind Hyderabad on the points table. They did look vulnerable against the Capitals, but Sam Curran's hattrick saw them through. So far, he has proven to be the most efficient purchase.

Key Players: Chris Gayle, Sam Curran, David Miller

The Daredevils may have become the Capitals, but Kotla continues to be a curse – churning out dustbowls for a side blessed with an overdose of flat-track bullies. Having lost three close games out of five, Delhi now sits on the 6th position. The much discussed all-Indian top four – Dhawan, Shaw, Iyer and Pant, are yet to deliver as a pack. If they do, a play-off berth is in the reckoning.

Key Players: Chris

Morris, Colin Ingram, Kagiso Rabada