IPL: Six Teams In Fray For Four Play-Off Spots As Tournament Nears Business End

The 2016 Indian Premier League is 48 matches old. With the league stages coming to an end, the race for the four play-off spots is getting interesting. Six teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore are in the fray. Here are the scenarios for each team in order to seal their place in the play-offs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Current Position in table: 1

Matches played: 12

Points: 16

Next matches: Delhi Daredevils (May 20, Raipur), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 22, Eden Gardens)

Sunrisers Hyderabad are best placed among all the teams to enter the play-offs. A win against Delhi Daredevils will automatically seal their place. SRH need to win one of their last two games to enter the knock-outs. In case they lose both matches, they have to ensure that they do not lose by a big margin as they have a decent Net Run-Rate of 0.4

Kolkata Knight Riders

Current Position in table: 2

Matches played: 12

Points: 14

Next matches: Gujarat Lions (May 19, Kanpur), Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 22, Eden Gardens)

Kolkata Knight Riders have to win their next two games if they have to seal their spot in the knock-outs. Their next game against Gujarat Lions could determine what position they finish. If KKR lose the remaining two games, then they will have to hope Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils end up losing their remaining matches

Mumbai Indians

Current Position in table: 3

Matches played: 13

Points: 14

Next match: Gujarat Lions (May 21, Kanpur)

Mumbai Indians have to win their last game against Gujarat Lions. A loss would mean that the play-off situation is out of their hands. They will have to hope Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore lose their remaining games. However, since the last game of the 2016 IPL is between DD and RCB, they will have to hope that the match ends in a wash-out.

Gujarat Lions

Current Position in Table: 4

Matches played: 12

Points: 14

Next matches: Kolkata Knight Riders (May 19, Kanpur), Mumbai Indians (May 21, Kanpur)

Suresh Raina's team are the most vulnerable as they have the worst net run-rate among all the teams with -0.75. Their next two games are a must-win. They have also seal victory by big margins if they have to improve their NRR. A loss in any of their last two games could see them staring at the exit.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Current Position in Table: 5

Matches played: 12

Points: 12

Next matches: Kings XI Punjab (May 18, Bangalore), Delhi Daredevils (May 22, Raipur)

RCB are on an upswing after winning their last two games comprehensively against Gujarat Lions and KKR respectively. For Virat Kohli, the equation is simple. They must win their last two games. A loss in either could see them staring at elimination. However, due to a superior net run-rate, their last encounter against Delhi Daredevils could prove to be a potential knock-out provided Mumbai Indians lose to Gujarat Lions. RCB must also guard against complacency, for a massive loss in either game, could dent their chances severely. They must also hope that rain does not play spoilsport in their last two games.

Delhi Daredevils

Current Position in Table: 6

Matches played: 12

Points: 11

Next matches: Rising Pune Supergiants (May 17), Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 20), Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 22)

Delhi Daredevils have played the least number of matches and are in a fairly good position to make it to the knock-outs. They must win all their remaining three games in order to qualify for the play-offs. There is a chance that their final game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Raipur could be a potential knock-out. For DD to make it to the top four, they must hope that Mumbai Indians lose their last game against Gujarat Lions. If GL win, then they must hope that KKR must lose both their games.