IPL 2016 Playoffs scenario and prediction: How RCB, MI, KKR and other teams can make it through to the qualifiers
The final hustle-bustle for a place in the IPL-9 playoffs has gained momentum. Teams will be looking to give their all in the last couple of games to ensure they reach the top four which will take them a step closer to the coveted IPL trophy.
The two teams who have been knocked out of the race are Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab. These two teams would want to play party poopers and spoil the other team’s chances of qualifying in the last four. The race is getting extremely tight between the teams and we discuss the possible qualification scenarios for each of the six teams.
Gujarat Lions:
They have 14 points with a net run rate of -0.747 with two matches remaining. Gujarat has the worst net run rate amongst all the teams but the good news for them is they have a strong chance of qualifying in the last four. They have the following matches remaining:
May 19: GL vs KKR, Kanpur
May 21: GL vs MI, Kanpur
They will finish in the top two if they win both their matches and how dearly they would want that! If they lose both their games, they can bid the tournament goodbye if the Daredevils or RCB win their remaining games.
If they beat KKR tonight and lose to Mumbai on Saturday, they could be tied with other teams at 16 points. Their poor net run rate could hamper their progress then.
If they lose to KKR and win against Mumbai Indians they will go through to the playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
They have 14 points with a positive net run rate of +0.280 with two tough matches to go against the Lions and Sunrisers.
May 19: KKR vs GL, Kanpur
May 22: KKR vs SRH, Kolkata
They will finish in top two if they win both their remaining games. If they lose both their matches, it will come to the net run rate and it might be a touch and go situation for them.
Even if they win one of their remaining two games, they will go through to the last four.
Delhi Daredevils:
They have 12 points with a net run rate of -0.125 with two matches remaining. Delhi will have to win big in the remaining games to garner hopes of making it to the playoffs. To make it all the more difficult, they now play the two teams in red hot form. They have the following matches remaining:
May 20: DD vs SRH, Raipur
May 22: DD vs RCB, Raipur
A top two finish is unlikely. Even if they win both the games their poor net run rate could be a telling factor.
If they lose one of the two remaining games, they will find it tough to qualify in the last four as their poor run rate will pull them back.
In short, Delhi has to win big against two in-form sides to stand a chance to qualify. Looks extremely tough but not impossible!
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
They have 14 points with a net run rate of +0.930 with one match remaining. They have peaked at the right time and have an excellent chance of making it to the playoffs. Their outstanding net run rate bears testimony to the domination RCB has had in the last few games. They have the following game remaining:
May 22: RCB vs DD, Raipur
If they beat Delhi, they will surely go through to the playoffs. They can also qualify in the top two in the process. Even if they lose their one game, they can still go through, thanks to their excellent net run rate but they would have to depend on teams not going beyond 14 points.
Mumbai Indians:
They have 14 points with a net run rate of -0.082 with one match remaining. The defending champions have their task cut out in the final game.
May 21: MI vs GL, Kanpur
If they manage to beat Gujarat they have a decent chance to go through. They will not finish in the top two though because of their negative NRR. Mumbai would want Gujarat to lose both their games and Daredevils to lose at least one game. They will be assured of a place in the playoffs if that happens.
If they lose to the Lions, their negative net run rate could make it dicey for them to qualify.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
They have 16 points with a net run rate of +0.400 with two matches remaining. They are right on top of the points table and a position in the playoffs looks assured. They have a couple of away games remaining:
May 20: SRH vs DD, Raipur
May 22: SRH vs KKR, Kolkata
The equation is pretty simple for the David Warner led side. Unless they lose by gigantic margins, they should qualify for the playoffs even if they lose both their remaining games. Even if they manage to win one of the two games, they will finish in the top-two.
Qualifier Predictions:
If an out of form Gujarat Lions fail to win their remaining matches against KKR and MI, they could be out of the tournament. Even if they beat KKR and go down to Mumbai, they could be out on NRR as their NRR is the worst amongst all the teams.
Mumbai Indians find themselves in a familiar position and their game against the Lions will be a knockout one. Fancy Mumbai to go past Gujarat as they seem to have that habit of beating all odds every season to qualify.
Even the Daredevils will find it extremely tough to beat both Sunrisers and RCB on the trot. Also, their net run rate doesn’t look too good either. Expect RCB to beat Delhi.
Here is a look at the probable qualifiers:
| Position | Team | Predicted Points |
| 1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 18 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 16 |
| 3 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 16 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians | 16 |
Predicted Qualifier 1:
May 24, 2016: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bengaluru.
Predicted Winner: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Predicted Eliminator:
May 25, 2016: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi.
Predicted Winner: Mumbai Indians
Predicted Qualifier 2:
May 27, 2016: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi.
Predicted Winner: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Predicted Finals:
May 29, 2016: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bengaluru.
Predicted Winner: Sunrisers Hyderabad