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.

IPL Table as on 4th May, 2016

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.

1st – Kolkata Knight Riders

Gambhir has been the perfect leader for the KKR

Remaining fixtures –

Opponent	Venue
Kings XI Punjab	Kolkata
Gujarat Lions	Kolkata
Rising Pune Supergiants	Kolkata
Royal Challengers Bangalore	Kolkata
Gujarat Lions	Rajkot
Sunrisers Hyderabad	Kolkata

The KKR couldn’t have scripted this any better; they play their next four games in Kolkata and only play away once in the final six fixtures. KKR are very strong at home and will prove to be a tough nut to crack. They face their closest rivals, Gujarat, twice. Assuming the two sides split one win each, KKR should have enough in their tank to rank up four wins in their five encounters at home.

FINAL POINT TALLY – 18

2nd – Delhi Daredevils

Delhi are soon becoming a fan’s favourite with their team spirit

Remaining fixtures -

Opponent	Venue
Rising Pune Supergiants	Delhi
Kings XI Punjab	Mohali
Sunrisers Hyderabad	Hyderabad
Mumbai Indians	Vizag
Rising Pune Supergiants	Vizag
Sunrisers Hyderabad	Raipur
Royal Challengers Bangalore	Raipur

Compared to the teams ahead of them, Delhi Daredevils have a long season to go, having played only seven games. They have won five and lost two, and have looked largely impressive, beating the Gujarat Lions comprehensively last time out. The team also has two of the best all rounders in Morris and Brathwaite, and have great depth in their squad.

They can choose to rotate Tahir into the squad based on the pitch as well. Expect them to pick up four wins in their remaining fixtures and finish second. They might have a chance to finish top of the table by beating RCB in their last encounter though.

FINAL POINT TALLY – 18

3rd – Gujarat Lions

The Lions’ over reliance on their openers has cost them

Remaining fixtures –

Opponent	Venue
Sunrisers Hyderabad	Hyderabad
Kolkata Knight Riders	Kolkata
Royal Challengers Bangalore	Bangalore
Kolkata Knight Riders	Rajkot
Mumbai Indians	Rajkot

Gujarat Lions do not have the easiest run, as you can see. All their games are against teams that are battling for playoff spots and they have two games against their closest rivals, the Knight Riders. A few weaknesses have been discovered in their squad lately, at the top of the list being the failure to fire when their top order doesn’t perform.

They should do well, but we seem them losing their place at the top of the table and finishing third. Expect Gujarat to pick up three wins in their remaining fixtures; they finish lower in the table due to their low nett run rate.

FINAL POINT TALLY – 18 points

4th – Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma is leading a resurgent Mumbai Indians

Remaining fixtures –

Opponent	Venue
Sunrisers Hyderabad	Vizag
Royal Challengers Bangalore	Bangalore
Kings XI Punjab	Vizag
Delhi Daredevils	Vizag
Gujarat Lions	Rajkot

The Mumbai Indians move to their adopted home, Vizag, in high spirits as they have won three on the bounce. Their match winners in chief, Rohit and Pollard, have shown glimpses of form and the supporting cast of Parthiv, Buttler, Rayadu, Harbhajan have done well.

The pace attack of McClenaghan, Southee and Bumrah have sparkled too, and that's not to forget the Pandya brothers. They look like a complete unit and might go all the way to the final. Expect them to do it the hard way though, picking up three wins in their next five games. The losses could potentially come against RCB in Bangalore and The Lions in Rajkot.

FINAL POINT TALLY – 16

Expect the Sunrisers Hyderabad to fail to qualify for the playoffs because of their weak batting order. Captain Warner has been incredibly impressive, his form will be key for the team. If he manages to bat this way for the entire season, we might be in for a surprise.