IPL Cricket

The business end of IPL 4 is not yet upon us but the race for the four playoff spots is heating up. The format of playoffs is based on New Zealand’s last year’s domestic T20 Tournament, conceived by Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar.

Here is the IPL playoffs format:

• The top two teams will play Qualifier 1: winner goes directly to final and loser gets a chance to play winner of Eliminator.
• The Eliminator will be between teams at 3^rd and 4^th spot in the league points table: winner will play loser of Qualifier 2.
• The Winner of Qualifier 2 will play in Final against Winner of Qualifier 1.
• So, the top 2 teams of league table have more chance to reach Final.

Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders are at the top to spots right now and sure of berth in playoffs. Let us have a look at teams and what they need to qualify.

Mumbai Indians: Points: 16 | Matches left: 4 | Opponents: KXIP, DC, RR, KKR.

Mumbai are most likely to be at top 2. But if they lose their all 4 remaining matches, they may creep to 3^rd or 4^th spot. It will need extraordinary effort from the opposition to beat them.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Points: 14 | Matches left: 3 | Opponents: RCB, PWI, MI.

Kolkata must win two games to make sure they stay in for playoffs. They are expected to win at least against Pune. Riders should qualify to bring smiles to SRK and Kolkata people: KKR tension mat le yaar.

Chennai Super Kings: Points: 12 | Matches left: 4 | Opponents: RR, DD, KTK, RCB.

If they win three matches, Chennai go through to playoffs. Looking at their record at home, they have two matches at home left. If they win both matches at home and win one away from home, they will sail into playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Points: 11 | Matches left: 5 | Opponents: KTK, RR, KKR, KXIP, CSK.

Bangalore stands good chance to qualify if they at least 3 matches off 5. They can still reach second spot in table if they win 4 matches which should include matches against RR, CSK and KKR.

Rajasthan Royals: Points: 11 | Matches left: 4 | Opponents: CSK, RCB, KTK, MI.

Rajasthan need to win at least 3 games. Their matches against CSK and RCB are at Jaipur where they   are formidable and expected to win these games. They have pull off a one from games against KTK an MI to reach top 4 spots.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala: Points: 10 | Matches left: 4 | Opponents: RCB, KXIP, RR, PWI.

Kochi have to win a least 3 matches and pray that other teams lose few matches. Also, they have to keep a check on net run-rates of others.

Delhi Daredevils: Points: 8 | Matches left: 3 | Opponents: CSK, KXIP, PWI.

Delhi have to win all there matches too have any hopes to qualify for playoffs.

Deccan Chargers: Points: 6 | Matches left: 4 | Opponents: PWI, MI, PWI, KXIP.

Deccan’s position is similar to that of Delhi. But even though they manage to win all games, yet they reach 14 points only.

Kings XI Punjab: Points: 6 | Matches left: 6 | Opponents: PWI, MI, KTK, DD, RCB, DC.

Punjab is most hopeful side from bottom having chance for playoffs. If they can win 5 games. But, Punjab have been beaten in their last three games.

Pune Warriors India: Points: 4 | Matches left: 5 | Opponents: KXIP, DC, DC, KKR, DD.

Even if Pune win all 5 matches, they stand no chance to make it to top 4 spots.

Tags: Cricket, Indian Premier League, IPL, IPL 2011, IPL 4, IPL Playoff, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Playoffs