IPL 2022 Qualification Scenario: Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify for the IPL playoffs after beating Lucknow Super Giants by 62 runs on Tuesday (10 May). It saw them leapfrog LSG in the IPL points table with Mumbai Indians the only team out of contention.
After 57 matches in the IPL season, with each team playing at least 11 games, eight teams are still in the race to make the top-four and reach the knockouts. GT are the only team to have confirmed their spot.
A look at each team’s chances of making the IPL playoffs:
Gujarat Titans (12 matches, 9 wins, 3 losses, 18 points, +0.376 NRR) – QUALIFIED
Gujarat Titans suffered consecutive losses which has delayed their passage into IPL playoffs. Image: Sportzpics
Remaining fixtures: vs Chennai Super Kings (15 May), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (19 May)
Gujarat were on the cusp of qualifying with ease last week. But consecutive defeats, against Punjab and Mumbai, delayed their march to the knockouts. They were close to sealing the deal in the final over against Mumbai but were stopped by a brilliant over by Daniel Sams. They eventually qualified for the playoffs after beating LSG by a staggering 62 runs.
Lucknow Super Giants (12 matches, 8 wins, 4 losses, 16 points, +0.385 NRR)
Remaining fixtures: vs Rajasthan Royals (15 May), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (18 May)
Having already amassed 16 points, one more win is all Lucknow need to make the knockout stage. They had a chance to qualify against fellow debutants Gujarat Titans but were beaten by 62 runs. Ensuring the top or second spot would help them in the playoff rounds. However, if they do lose both matches it could boil down to the net run rate.
Rajasthan Royals (11 matches, 7 wins, 4 losses, 14 points, +0.326 NRR)
Rajasthan Royals’ players during Match 44 of the IPL 2022 between the Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on 30 April, 2022. Sportzpics for IPL
Remaining fixtures: vs Delhi Capitals (11 May), vs Lucknow Super Giants (15 May), vs Chennai Super Kings (20 May)
Rajasthan’s net run rate, second only to Lucknow, puts them in good stead with the league stage drawing to a close. It will definitely help their chances if they do suffer three defeats going forward. Two wins will ensure a playoff spot; one more could leave their fate decided by NRR.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (12 matches, 7 wins, 5 losses, 14 points, -0.115 NRR)
Remaining fixtures: vs Punjab Kings (13 May), vs Gujarat Titans (19 May)
Two wins and RCB could finish with 18 points and a top-two finish becomes possible, given the other results go their way. However, if they muster just one win it would present the lower-placed sides an opportunity to climb up with a better NRR. Worse still for RCB, two defeats could send them out.
Delhi Capitals (11 matches, 5 wins, 6 losses, 10 points, +0.150 NRR)
Remaining fixtures: vs Rajasthan Royals (11 May), vs Punjab Kings (16 May), vs Mumbai Indians (21 May)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (11 matches, 5 wins, 6 losses, 10 points, -0.031 NRR)
Sunrisers Hyderabad players during Match 46 of the IPL 2022 between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings at the MCA International Stadium in Pune on 1 May, 2022. Sportzpics for IPL
Remaining fixtures: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (14 May), vs Mumbai Indians (17 May), vs Punjab Kings (22 May)
Punjab Kings (11 matches, 5 wins, 6 losses, 10 points, -0.231 NRR)
Remaining fixtures: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (13 May), vs Delhi Capitals (16 May), vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (22 May)
Let’s club three teams who are on 10 points each – DC, SRH and PBKS – from 11 games. Of the three, only Delhi have a positive NRR. If they get three straight wins, it will hurt Rajasthan and Punjab’s chances of progressing. Even at that stage, it would come down to NRR. One defeat, though, and they would be crossing their fingers that RCB or RR lose their remaining matches as well.
Kolkata Knight Riders (12 matches, 5 wins, 7 losses, 10 points, -0.057 NRR)
Remaining fixtures: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (14 May), vs Lucknow Super Giants (18 May)
Chennai Super Kings (11 games, 4 wins, 7 losses, 8 points, +0.028 points)
Remaining fixtures: vs Mumbai Indians (12 May), vs Gujarat Titans (15 May), vs Rajasthan Royals (20 May)
Both KKR and CSK are mathematically still in with a chance but they’re very slim hopes. Both KKR and CSK need to win all their matches to progress and they have to hope the rest falter. Even with consecutive wins, KKR and CSK get to 14 points which requires a near-miracle to get to the playoffs.
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