IPL 2016: Predicted playoff line up
With just over 20 days to go for ‘Qualifer 1’ in Bangalore, we take a look at the remaining fixtures and try to ascertain who the four teams will be that make it to the playoffs in 2016. Currently, the Gujarat Lions are first, having secured the most number of points at this stage, winning six matches. None of the teams can reach Gujarat’s point total at the end of eight games barring the Delhi Daredevils, who have two games in hand – with one of those being against Gujarat.
Kolkata Knight Riders sit pretty in second place, having just beaten RCB in a close encounter; they have played the same number of games as Gujarat, but won one less game. It is worth noting, however, that Kolkata have a much better nett run rate than the Gujarat franchise.
Mumbai Indians are in third place after winning three games on the bounce, having gotten over their early season troubles. Delhi Daredevils are in fourth place having won four of the six games they have played; they also have the best nett run rate so far in the IPL. The next four teams in the table are the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab respectively.
With all due respect to the Rising Pune Supergiants and the Kings XI Punjab, it would seem that the writing is on the wall for both these teams this season. For Pune, injuries have hampered their campaign and luck has absolutely deserted their captain MS Dhoni.
Kings XI meanwhile lost Shaun Marsh due to injury but there was good news around the corner as Hashim Amla was named as replacement. They would need a miraculous winning run, starting today, against the Knight Riders to stand a chance at qualifying. The same goes for the RCB, who will need their bowlers to back up the batsmen and script a miraculous turnaround in fortunes.
That leaves us with five teams – Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and only one of them will miss out. Let’s find out who.