Bottom rank IPL teams can derail the Playoff chances of the top four
With every passing match, we are heading towards the playoffs of the Indian Premier League. However, there is still a tough battle for the top 4 contenders for playoffs considering the chances of all teams. Hyderabad, which was at the bottom spot initially, has now conquered a place in the top five with their consecutive wins.
Image credit: PA Images Rohit Sharma MI can still create heavy weather for any teamSimilarly, the other teams can also overthrow others from the top four. While the top teams have given their best, they are still at risk of being derailed by lower-rank teams.
Top four: Still fighting for their position!
While Gujarat Titans have almost qualified for the playoffs, the other teams will still have to fight hard for their positions. Lucknow Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore are the other three teams in the top four with 14, 12, and 12 points, respectively. Pink Brigade and Bangalore have to win two of their remaining matches still. These teams' positions are still at risk of losing their place in the top four due to the teams in the lower ranks having reasonable run rates and matches remaining to win.
A tough fight amongst DC, SRH and PBKS!
The Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings are placed in fifth, sixth and seventh place with 10 points, respectively, having played ten games each and winning five of them. They have a tough fight amongst them as all the teams have chances for the playoffs. They all need to win three out of the four matches remaining. PBKS have their next games against RR, RCB, DC, and SRH. They need to be wary of their negative run rate as, at present, it stands at -0.229. So, wins in big margins are essential for them. SRH has an excellent positive run rate and needs to defeat at least three amongst RCB, KKR, PBKS, and MI to increase chances for playoffs.
Talking about Delhi Capitals, the team's poor performance has affected their position in the points table. DC, too, has crucial matches left against CSK, RR, PBKS and MI. The only advantage they have is a reasonable run rate of +0.641, which is still the best in the IPL 2022. So, the DC needs to maintain it to have the upper hand when the NRR calculations are invoked. Even if the team fails to make it to the playoff, it can surely sabotage SRH, RR, and PBKS's campaign.
KKR, CSK, and MI: Crucial for other teams
The three most successful sides in IPL history -- Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders -- are languishing at the bottom of the points table this season. KKR is in the 8th position with 8 points. The team's other matches are against MI, SRH, and twice against LSG. Although the game against MI is not entirely critical, the result of the games against SRH and LSG will affect the top four positions. Talking about CSK, the team's performance remained below expectations and is currently at the 9th spot with 6 points. The team is almost out of the playoffs race; however, their subsequent matches are against DC, GT, and RR. These matches will undoubtedly impact the points table and can ruin these three teams' campaigns. While Mumbai Indians' terrible performance in the league till now has gained them the bottom spot at the points table, the team is out of the playoffs. However, their next three matches are against GT, KKR, CSK, SRH, and DC, among which the matches against SRH and DC will be deciders for both teams.
The playoffs race is now getting more exciting as the poorly performed teams in the first half still have the chance to qualify, whereas the teams in the top four will still have to fight to maintain their position. The matches of the teams which are almost out of the playoffs are also vital as they can derail other teams' hopes which will be interesting to see!