Six teams in the hunt. Five matches remaining. Four spots up for grabs
Updated IPL playoffs scenarios
It's crunch time in the Indian Premier League as six teams enter the final weekend of the regular season jostling for the four spots up for grabs in the playoffs.
The top two teams will face off in a qualifier for a spot in the final on May 24, before the teams that finished third and fourth meet in an elimination final on May 25. The loser of the qualifier will then meet the winner of the eliminator in Delhi on May 27, for the second spot in the final in Bangalore two days later.
A number of Australia’s one-day squad members are likely to feature in the IPL finals – including Hyderabad captain David Warner, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Travis Head and Gujarat Lions’ Aaron Finch and James Faulkner – with all to remain (barring injury) with their respective clubs until their campaigns are completed, before linking up with the ODI squad in Guyana ahead of their clash with the West Indies on June 5.
1. Sunrisers Hyderabad (16 points, two games remaining v Delhi, Kolkata)
The Sunrisers require one victory from their final two matches to guarantee their place in the first qualifier, while a pair of defeats will bring the statisticians to the fore as Net Run Rate becomes a factor.
2. Gujarat Lions (16 points, one game remaining v Mumbai on Saturday)
Inspired by unlikely bowling hero Dwayne Smith, Gujarat got their maiden IPL campaign back on track with a win over Kolkata. Another victory against Mumbai on Saturday night is needed to ensure Brad Hodge's men are rewarded with a playoff berth in their debut season.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore (14 points, one game remaining v Delhi on Sunday)
In what is set to be an elimination final of sorts, RCB and the Delhi Daredevils go head-to-head in the 56th and final match of the regular season. Apparently Virat Kohli is seeing them OK at the moment, so another century from him should see Bangalore's star-studded lineup advance to the business end of the tournament.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (14 points, one game remaining v Sunrisers on Sunday)
Kolkata's fate will become clearer before their clash against Warner's Sunrisers on Sunday evening, but things could get especially tricky against the current table-toppers if Mumbai defeat the Lions and Delhi overcome the Sunrisers this evening.
5. Mumbai Indians (14 points, one game remaining v Gujarat on Saturday)
Mumbai enter their final clash of the season against Gujarat needing to pick up the two points for a win and possibly a little boost to their NRR. Ricky Ponting's side will then need to wait for results on the final day to see if their reign as champions continues for at least a few more days.
6. Delhi Daredevils (12 points, two games remaining v Sunrisers, RCB)
Delhi's task became more difficult with the rain-affected defeat against the Rising Pune Supergiants, but two wins from their final two matches will keep them well and truly in the hunt. However, they do face the small problem of taking on the top team and a side featuring two of the most talented batsmen in the modern game.
7. Rising Pune Supergiants (8 points, one game remaining v Kings XI on Saturday)
Adam Zampa has been a star for the fledgling franchise, but not much else has gone right in an injury-ravaged debut season. A win on Saturday would bring as much pride as not finishing on the bottom of the standings can deliver.
8. Kings XI Punjab (8 points, one game remaining v RPS on Saturday)
A disappointing campaign is almost over with Glenn Maxwell returning home, so too Marcus Stoinis, and now all we can hope for is the return of Mitchell Johnson and the IPL's first-ever 10-wicket haul.