Hyderabad: Playoffs of Indian Premier League (IPL) are just two matches away. With Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians have already advanced to the stage of last four as the first, second and third team, there will be one more place to grab as the tournament marches towards the business end.
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So, here is how the race for the fourth spot looks like at this juncture.
Mumbai Indians on Thursday won a 'Super Over' thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad to earn the cut off mark for playoff qualification. MI are now at the second spot with 16 points in 13 matches with Delhi Capitals slipped away to the third spot due to poor net-run-rate.
Earlier, on Wednesday CSK handed DC a massive 80 runs defeat to reclaim the no. 1 spot at the Chepauk while the visitors, who held the numero position just for one match, witnessed a sudden slump in their form since they ended up finishing at tricky third position.
While CSK have 18 points in 13 matches, DC bagged 16 points in as many matches. However, the Delhi franchise has no threat to bear with as it has already ensured a playoff berth after seven years beating Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday.
With bottom place holder RCB were knocked out of the tournament in a rain-marred five-overs-a-side match against Rajasthan Royals at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the contest for the fourth spot is now among Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.
On Thursday evening when MI took on SRH, the third position was up for grab and the formers got better of the Orange Army to qualify for the playoffs. Batting first MI set 163 runs target for SRH, who in reply, were restricted for 162 for 6. As per the norm of IPL, the match was decided on 'Super Over'.
With SRH played the game without David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, who bade adieu IPL 2019 to join the World Cup preparation camp of Australia and England, MI found it rather easy to seal their playoff berth.
MI now have 16 points in 13 matches while SRH have 12 in 13 matches.
On May 4 when SRH will travel to Bangalore to play depleted RCB they will be in the contention for the playoffs. But a win will not be enough for SRH as they will still be two points short of the cut off mark- 16. In this case, they will have to depend upon the performances of the rest of the contenders.
Fifth place holder RR are not in a favourable position either. They have 11 points in 13 matches. If SRH win on Saturday evening RR will straightway get out of the contention.
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In the meantime, SRH will have to depend upon the results of the next two fixtures of KKR and KXIP, irrespective of a win or loss against RCB. Both KKR and KXIP now have 10 points each in 12 matches.
On Friday when KXIP will take on KXIP the result of the game will have a lot to say about the possible equation for the fourth spot. In their last league fixtures, Punjab and Kolkata will play against tournament's formidable sides CSK and MI.
Hence, it would not be out to place to say that SRH are the strongest contender for the fourth spot as of now.
