Chokers of IPL: Which team has consistently failed to perform in crunch situations?
Published on: Feb 15, 2023 11:10 am IST|Updated on: Feb 15, 2023 11:10 am IST
In the game of cricket, the term “choker” is used to describe a team that consistently fails to perform in crunch situations. This term has been used widely in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to describe teams that have a history of faltering in the most important matches.
Chokers of IPL
The IPL is a highly competitive tournament, and every team strives to win the coveted trophy. However, some teams have been unable to perform at their best when it matters the most, and they have earned the tag of “Chokers of IPL” over the years.
One such team that has been labeled as chokers in the IPL is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). RCB has been a part of the IPL since its inception in 2008, and the team has had some of the biggest names in cricket playing for them, including Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle. Despite having a star-studded lineup, RCB has never won the IPL trophy. They have reached the final thrice, in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but on all three occasions, they failed to cross the finish line.
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RCB’s inability to win the trophy despite having a strong team has earned them the tag of “chokers of IPL”. The team has been criticized for their inconsistency and lack of mental toughness in pressure situations. In the 2016 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB had a strong batting lineup with Kohli, de Villiers, and Gayle at the top. However, they collapsed in the final and were bowled out for just 181, which was not enough to win the match.
Another team that has been labeled as chokers in the IPL is Delhi Capitals (DC). The team has been a part of the IPL since its inception, initially playing as Delhi Daredevils before rebranding themselves as DC in 2018. The team has never won the IPL trophy and has only reached the playoffs on four occasions. DC has been criticized for their inconsistency and inability to perform in pressure situations.
In the 2019 season, DC had a strong team with the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, and Kagiso Rabada in their lineup. The team started off well and finished third in the league stage. However, they lost their playoff match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and were knocked out of the tournament. The loss highlighted DC’s inability to perform in crunch situations, and they were once again labeled as chokers in the IPL.
Another team that has been labeled as chokers in the IPL is Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). The team has been a part of the IPL since its inception and has reached the playoffs on just two occasions. KXIP has been criticized for their inconsistency and inability to perform in pressure situations. In the 2014 season, KXIP had a strong team with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, and Sandeep Sharma in their lineup. The team finished the league stage at the top of the table but lost their playoff match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The loss highlighted KXIP’s inability to perform in crunch situations, and they were once again labeled as chokers in the IPL.
The term “chokers” has been used widely in the IPL to describe teams that have a history of faltering in pressure situations. The teams mentioned above are just a few examples of such teams. However, it is important to note that the label of “chokers” can be subjective and often depends on the context. Every team strives to win the IPL trophy, and the pressure of performing in such a high-stakes tournament can be overwhelming.
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