The race to the playoffs in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become increasingly competitive, with six teams currently in contention for the top four spots. The top two on the points table right now – Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Lions – are yet to seal a spot in the qualifiers themselves.
While Kings XI Punjab and Rising Pune Supergiants have sunk to the bottom of the table, their match today will not affect the rest of the teams, as they have already been eliminated. However, the rest of the weekend will have matches, the results of which will decide the top four. With each team having exactly one match to be played in the league stage, this is how the points table looks right now:
Points Table/Standings for IPL 2016
Rank | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Lions | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | -0.374 |
| 2 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 14 | 8 | 6 | 16 | +0.245 |
| 3 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 14 | 8 | 6 | 16 | +0.106 |
| 4 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | +0.930 |
| 5 | Delhi Daredevils | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | -0.102 |
| 6 | Mumbai Indians | 14 | 7 | 7 | 14 | -0.146 |
| 7 | Rising Pune Supergiants | 14 | 5 | 9 | 10 | +0.015 |
| 8 | Kings XI Punjab | 14 | 4 | 10 | 8 | -0.646 |
Here’s how the six teams in the race can book their IPL 2016 Playoffs berth:
How Sunrisers Hyderabad can qualify
SRH are currently the table-toppers, with eight wins from 13 games. Their NRR is +0.355, and they will be taking on KKR on May 22 in Kolkata. If they beat KKR, they will make it to the playoffs and will be finishing in the top two, escaping the eliminator round. Their spot in the top four will be at stake if they face a huge loss against KKR. The results of the games between other teams will not make a difference to them only if they lose.
*update- The Sunrisers have qualified
How Gujarat Lions can qualify
Standing second on the points table, GL has 16 points from 13 games. Their negative NRR (-0.479) could possibly dent their chances of getting into the playoffs. If they beat MI in their last group match, they can end up among the top two. However, if there's a 16-points tie between five teams, it might hinder their chances. A KKR loss sends GL into the playoffs irrespective of the result in the match between GL and MI.
*update- The Lions have qualified
How Royal Challengers Bangalore can qualify
Rising from the bottom, RCB looks fierce with staggering performances from their skipper Virat Kohli and bigwigs Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. They have won their last three matches comfortably, and will look to seal a spot in the playoffs. With seven wins, RCB has 14 points and have an NRR of +0.930. They will be playing their last match against DD on May 22 in Raipur, and a win against them would be enough for them to qualify for the playoffs.
If they lose, they will be eliminated if either KKR or MI win their respective final group stage games. But if all the three lose, the final NRR of these teams will decide the final standings, and the team from Bangalore will have a big advantage.
*update- The Royal Challengers Bangalore have qualified
How Kolkata Knight Riders can qualify
The Gambhir-led KKR team, with an NRR of +0.022, will be taking on SRH at the Eden Gardens on May 22. They have a sure spot in the final four if they beat SRH, which will put MI in trouble. However, if they lose the match, they will be eliminated if MI win their match against GL. If MI also lose, then the final NRR of KKR, MI and the loser of the RCB-DD clash will be taken into consideration.
*update- The Knight Riders have qualified
How Mumbai Indians can qualify
With an NRR of -0.082, the defending champions will be facing GL in Kanpur. If they beat Gujarat Lions, they will make it to the playoffs as their NRR is better than their opponent's. In the case of a 16-point tie between five teams, they can still be above GL.
If they are defeated, they might face elimination if KKR beat SRH tomorrow. But if KKR also loses, the final NRR of MI, KKR and the loser of RCB-DD match will be the decider.
How Delhi Daredevils can qualify
The surprise performers of the season, DD are currently at the sixth position on the table, with seven wins and an NRR of -0.102. They trumped SRH on May 20 and kept their hopes alive in the tournament. They will be playing against Kohli's RCB in their final group match and a win against them would take them to the playoffs, but if they lose, they will be eliminated if either MI or KKR win their respective final matches.
Their only chance, if they lose, is if MI and KKR lose by a big margin.
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