IPL 2016 scenarios: Six teams still in hunt for four playoffs spots
Following 42 days of non-stop cricket, season nine of the Indian Premier League has entered its business end. After Match 52 on Friday, in which Delhi Daredevils beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets, the eight teams will play their respective final league games in the final two double-headers this weekend.
With four matches remaining before the playoffs, only two teams – Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab – are out of the contention. The remaining six teams, with two sides on 16 points and four on 14, are still in the hunt and will fight for the top-four slots.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (16 points; RR 0.355)
Final game: vs KKR in Kolkata on Sunday (4pm)
Win: Through to the playoffs as table-toppers
Lose: Through but position depends on other results
The David Warner led team remained at the top of the standings with 16 points after 13 games even after losing to Delhi Daredevils in Raipur. They are ahead of Gujarat Lions, via better net run rate, and are still the favourites to book the playoffs spot. They play Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Sunday evening, with the hosts too needing a win to remain in contention for a last-four finish. Even a defeat might not stop SRH from going further, but they need a victory to finish in top two and avoid the Eliminator.
Gujarat Lions (16 points; RR -0.479)
Final game: vs MI in Kanpur on Saturday (8pm)
Win: Through to the playoffs as top-two teams
Lose: Playoffs depend on other results
The new franchise led by Suresh Raina are equal on points with leaders SRH but have the second worst run-rate among the eight teams, which may play a big part in the final shake-up of the points table. Lions face defending champions Mumbai Indians in the second game of the Saturday double-header and a defeat may knock them out of the tournament. Even though they have 16 points, their inferior run-rate will leave them in the lurch in spite of a impressive campaign in their debut season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (14 points; RR 0.930)
Final game: vs DD in Raipur on Sunday (8pm)
Win: Through to the playoffs
Lose: Depends on other results
RCB are riding high right now with their skipper Virat Kohli having an amazing run with the bat, and they have muscled into the top half with three victories on the trot. They now need one more victory in their final game against Delhi on Sunday night to book a playoff spot. Despite a relatively weak bowling attack, the batting forms of the trio – Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle – should take them further in the competition. Kohli will be happy to know that their fate is in their own hands and not dependent on other results unless they lose.
Kolkata Knight Riders (14 points; RR 0.022)
Final game: vs SRH in Kolkata on Sunday (4pm)
Win: Through to the playoffs
Lose: Out of the tournament
One of the most consistent teams in the IPL, KKR, are in a tough spot before their do-or-die final league match against the table-toppers SRH. They are coming into the match after two demoralising defeats against RCB and GL, which dented their chances after being in a good position. The only consolation is that their opponents are virtually in the playoffs, irrespective of the result, but Warner’s team, who are aiming a top-two finish, are not expected to give any room to the former champions.
Mumbai Indians (14 points; RR -0.082)
Final game: vs GL in Kanpur on Saturday (8pm)
Win: Playoffs depends on other results
Lose: Out of the tournament
The defending champions too are in a tough spot as they face Gujarat on Saturday night, requiring a win to have a shot at the playoffs. They should be relatively fresher than others, coming off from a five-day break, as they played their last game on May 15 – a comprehensive 80-run victory over Delhi which kept them in the fray. If the two-time champions ensure a win, they will qualify.
Delhi Daredevils (14 points; RR -0.102)
Final game: vs RCB in Raipur on Sunday (8pm)
Win: Playoffs depends on other results
Lose: Out of the tournament
Delhi Daredevils kept their hopes for playoffs alive with a six-wicket victory over SRH on Friday, even though they remained at sixth with 14 points. They now play red-hot RCB in the final game of the league stage on Sunday night, needing another victory to stay in contention. Similar to Mumbai, the inferior run rate can knock them out of the tournament even after finishing with two victories and a gallant late charge.
Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab (8 points each)
The bottom teams, who are out of the contentions for playoff berths, are playing each other in the first game of the Saturday double-header at Visakhapatnam. The result will have no bearing on the last-four dash of the six contenders as it will only decide which team avoids the wooden spoon.
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