IPL 2016: Six Teams Still In Race As Play-Off Race Intensifies

The 2016 Indian Premier League is proving to be one of the most open and unpredictable editions. The tournament is 52 matches old but no team has sealed their place in the play-offs. Six teams are still in contention for four spots and there could be a scenario where five teams are tied on 16 points, thus making Net Run-Rate a vital factor.

With Delhi Daredevils' thrilling last-ball win against table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad, the race for the play-offs has intensified. Here is the rundown of what each team must do in order to seal their place in the knock-outs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Current Position in table: 1
Matches played: 13
Points: 16
Next matches: Kolkata Knight Riders (May 22, Eden Gardens)

Sunrisers Hyderabad have endured a frustrating period in their quest to reach the play-offs. Having lost a thrilling match to the Delhi Daredevils, they must win their last match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Eden Gardens in order to secure automatic qualification. They will be hoping that Gujarat Lions beat Mumbai Indians in order to buffer their position in case they lose to KKR. If they lose to Kolkata Knight Riders, they will be hoping that Delhi Daredevils beat RCB in their last game as DD's Net Run-Rate is not too great.

Gujarat Lions

Current Position in Table: 2
Matches played: 13
Points: 16
Next matches: Mumbai Indians (May 21, Kanpur)

Suresh Raina's team have a very low Net Run-Rate of -0.493 and with Delhi Daredevils' win, the pressure has increased on them. They must win against Mumbai Indians in order to secure automatic qualification. If they lose, they must hope that Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Delhi Daredevils and that Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their last match. If KKR win, then Gujarat Lions will be knocked out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Current Position in Table: 3
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next match: Delhi Daredevils (May 22, Raipur)

With Sunrisers Hyderabad losing to Delhi Daredevils, the equation has become tricky for Virat Kohli's team. They must win their last league game against Delhi Daredevils to secure automatic qualification. If they lose against Delhi Daredevils, they will have to hope that Gujarat Lions beat Mumbai Indians and that Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Current Position in table: 4
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next matches: Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 22, Eden Gardens)

With Delhi Daredevils' victory over SRH, the pressure on KKR has increased. For KKR to secure qualification, some results will have to work their way. They must hope that Gujarat Lions beat Mumbai Indians. If they win against SRH, they will be hoping that RCB beat DD. If DD win, they will have to hope it is not by a massive margin.

Mumbai Indians

Current Position in table: 5
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next match: Gujarat Lions (May 21, Kanpur)

With Delhi Daredevils' win, Mumbai Indians' last match assumes massive importance. If they lose to Gujarat Lions, then they are knocked out. If they win, they will have to hope that Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their last league game and that RCB beats DD.

Delhi Daredevils

Current Position in Table: 6
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next matches: Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 22)

Delhi Daredevils have kept their play-off chances alive with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Heading into their last game against RCB, some results will have to work their way. DD will be hoping that Gujarat Lions beat Mumbai Indians and knock them out of the equation. They will be boosted if SRH beat KKR in their last league game which would put KKR out of the equation. DD will simply have to win if they have to seal their play-off spot but if they lose, the margins of defeat by GL against MI and SRH against KKR will have to be big.