IPL Trophy
this year’s edition IPL The Mega Auction has been unique with the reshuffling of players, with two more teams added to the rankings on the points table in the competition.
Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants have shown impressive performances from their game with 16 points and three matches remaining so far.
In the bottom two places are the teams of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who have won the title five and four times respectively. With Mumbai Indians crashing out of the qualification race.
On the other hand, there is a competition cut-off for the remaining teams to qualify for the playoffs.
Here are the scenarios that each team has to go through to make it to the top four.
- Who will finish in the top two?
The top-two ranked teams in the points table have an advantage over the other two teams qualified for the playoffs. They have a chance to go straight to the finals by winning the first qualifier. And the team that loses gets another chance to reach the final by winning the second qualifier against the winner of the Eliminator match.
When it comes to the first position, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are fighting for the spot.
Both teams have 16 points and need one more win from the remaining three matches to qualify for the playoffs. The 57th match between LSG and GT will play a decisive role as the team secures a place in the top four.
However, if a team between these two wins all three games, it will definitely take first place.
Lucknow Super Giants: If KL Rahul– The led team that has a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.703 wins two of their remaining three matches, then moves into the top two and currently has the best chance of finishing on top.
Gujarat Titans: If Hardik Pandya-The led team wins at least two games remaining, they will definitely be in top four with 20 points. His current NRR is +0.120. Only Rajasthan Royals who are currently in third place with 14 points from 11 matches have a chance to finish above GT by winning all remaining games. GT can also qualify in the top two with just one win if Rajasthan doesn’t win any matches or wins only one match.
- Can the bottom two teams still qualify?
Mumbai Indians: Five-time champions MI have been officially out of the 15th edition of the tournament after losing nine out of 11 matches played.
Chennai Super Kings: With eight points from 11 matches, Chennai’s chance of reaching the final depends on the team winning all the remaining matches, along with the results of the other competitors. The team will aim to score 14 points. If RCB lose both their remaining matches and DC, SRH and PBKS lose at least one match each, that too by a huge margin, then CSK have a chance to break into the top four. This also means that if RCB win their next match, Chennai will be out of the race.
Rajasthan Royals: All teams below RR have the best NRR (+0.326). The team currently has 14 points and just one win away to retain their position in the top four. They also have a chance to climb to finish in the top two if they win the remaining three games so Gujarat doesn’t win more than two matches.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: RCB are currently at number four with 14 points from 12 matches and can secure a place in the playoffs if they win their remaining two games. However, if they lose even one then DC, SRH and PBKS all have a chance to compete with 16 points as it will come down to NRR. The current NRR of RCB is -0.115.
Delhi Capitals: DC want RCB to lose at least one game so that RCB doesn’t get 18 points as Delhi can get maximum 16 points only. The Rishabh Pant-led side has 10 points from 11 matches. If both Rajasthan and Bangalore successfully get 18 points or Delhi loses another match then DC’s journey will be over for the season.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: SRH has 10 points and an NRR of -0.031. Like Delhi, Hyderabad will be in the race only if RCB loses one of their last two matches and DC also loses a match. SRH will also have to win all matches to make the cut.
If the four teams reach 18 points then SRH can also be out of the game.
Punjab Kings: With 10 points from 11 matches, PBKS would also like RCB to lose a match. Their NRR is -0.231 and hence, they need to win their remaining matches by a huge margin if they are points tied.
PBKS have their last three games against RCB, DC and SRH competing directly with them for a playoff spot. If Punjab Kings win all three, they will take on RCB for a place in the playoffs. If RCB and PBKS are tied on 16 points, it will come down to NRR.