IPL 2016 qualification scenario: Which team can may qualify for playoff and how

The race to the play-offs are getting intense with every game as six teams remain in the contention to book a last-four berth. Sunrisers Hyderabad are better placed than others with 16 points from 12 games, but it’s very interesting below them. Gujarat Lions are at 16, have a game at hand, and following them are RCB, KKR and MI – all three locked at 14 points each and are left with one game each. Here’s a look at who can make the cut and how:

SRH: Leading the table, SRH need one win to book a safe spot with 18 points in their kitty. It can well happen on Friday as they take on DD in a crucial fixture. Even if they fail to register a win, they have another opportunity in the May 22 contest against KKR.


IPL 2016 Points Table:



GL: Gujarat Lions win over KKR did wonders for their push for the play-offs. The team, after an inspiring start to the campaign, lost their way in the middle but returned to winning ways in Kanpur on Thursday. At 16 points from 13 games, a win over MI would mean they go through and MI crash out. However, if MI manage to win, it could boil down to the net run-rate where they don’t have a good number to boast – blame the comprehensive defeat to RCB.

RCB: RCB have revived their campaign with a late surge. The team has won three on the trot, in convincing fashion, and would like to win their last game against DD. The win would make them a certain in the last-four as their net run-rate is the best in the league so far. It’s as simple as that for RCB – win or crash out.

KKR: KKR are themselves to blame for the situation they find themselves in. After being a certain for a last-four berth at the middle stages of the tournament, the team has been off track towards the fag end. Two successive losses meant they drop to the fourth position and are in a must-win situation against table-toppers SRH.

MI: It’s win or out for the Mumbai Indians. They take on second-placed Gujarat Lions in their last IPL 2016 fixture. If they win, it takes them to 16 and lock them on points with others team chasing the spot.

DD: Delhi Daredevils are with 12 points from 12 games and need to win both their remaining fixtures to stay alive. The first is against the formidable SRH while the second against on-song RCB. It would take some doing for them to edge past the giants of this year.