Most of you right now would not be aware of the Indian Premier League and its happenings. Right from its inception in 2008, the tournament has grown with every passing year, with 2021 being its 14th season. With the Twenty20 format and its dynamic gameplay full of sudden surprises, IPL has enticed a massive audience from both India and abroad.
With the best names in crickets around the world playing in the tournament, it also had its fair share of controversies and criticisms.
In the COVID-19 times, with sporting events suspended throughout the world, the IPL was a welcome cheer. However, 2021 was a different story for the league. The tournament started on 9th April and was played at various stadiums in India till 2nd May, until the pandemic scare forced it to stop. But much to the fan’s relief, it resumed again from 19th September at the Dubai International Stadium, also the host of IPL 2020. With just seven more matches left in the league phase, it’s all about who all makes it to the qualifiers!
Chennai Super Kings
One of the most successful franchises of the series with 3 times winners and 5 times runner up, CSK was the first team to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2021, beating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets in the match on 30th September. They are currently the table toppers and will face off Delhi Capitals in their next match.
Delhi Capitals
Currently placed 2nd on the IPL table, DC qualified to playoffs by beating Mumbai Indians by 4 wickets in their match on 2nd October. The relatively new team has been in full form throughout the season. They will face off CSK on 4th October.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
One of the most favourite contenders for the cup, RCB is currently ranked 3rd in the table with 12 points. They made it to the playoffs by beating PBKS by 6 runs on their match on 3rd October. They will be up against SRH next on 6th October.
That makes it 3 of the 4 qualifier spots full and now it will be only one of the remaining! Going by the points table, the journey for SRH is over this season and chances for PBKS is very grim. But, we do have three teams in competition for the last spot.
Kolkata Knight Riders
They are currently the best place on the table, owing to their higher run rate, and this is supposed to be their leverage in the many upcoming scenarios. They will play against RR on October 7th, and if they win, they make it to the playoffs. If they lose, their qualification will depend on Mumbai Indians’ match results.
Rajasthan Royals
For them, it’s quite simple. RR has to win its remaining two matches, against MI (October 5) and KKR (October 7) to make it to the playoffs. If they lose even one of the matches, making it to the playoffs will be near impossible.
Mumbai Indians
Another massively successful franchise, MI is currently in troubled waters. Though their best chances to make it is if they win their next two matches, against RR (October 5) and against SRH (October 8) they can still get eliminated, on their net run-rate basis. There can however qualify if somehow RR beats KKR on their match on October 7 and they win both of their games.
With heightened tensions for the spot, the upcoming matches will surely be a thrilling delight. Stay tuned!