Many thought that increasing the number of teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will dilute the quality of cricket in the tournament. But after 55 league matches in its first season with ten teams, all one can talk about is how the two debutants, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants have managed to upset the apple cart.
KL Rahul's Lucknow Super Giants moved to first place in the IPL 2022 points table with a fourth successive win on Saturday. They have won eight in 11 matches. Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans, despite losing back-to-back matches, are second, also with eight wins from 11 matches.
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In contrast, the 'big three' -- Mumbai Indians (five titles), Chennai Super Kings (four) and Kolkata Knight Riders (two) -- are languishing at the bottom, having collectively won ten matches in 32 matches.
Well, the status quo has been shaken up!
So what next?
The league stage still has 19 matches remaining and a lot can happen before the final IPL points table is shaped to decide which four teams qualify for the playoffs.
But Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants look certain to make the top four, meaning eight teams fighting for the remaining two spots.
Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians are already out of the playoff reckoning. MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings, the defending champions, are all but out. And Shreyas Iyer's Kolkata Knight Riders are also in a spot.
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With that, here's a look at what the ten teams in IPL 2022 need to do to make the playoffs:
1. Lucknow Super Giants: One big win should be enough, considering their healthy net run rate and also the widely regarded 16-point marker for the cut-off. Their focus would be on the top spot.
M - 11; Won - 8; Lost - 3; Pts - 16; NRR - (+0.703)
Remaining matches: vs Gujarat Titans vs May 10; vs Rajasthan Royals vs May 15; vs Kolkata Knight Riders on May 18.
2. Gujarat Titans: They are also all but through. A win will not only confirm a playoff spot but will also put them in a very strong position to finish first. Even if they lose all their remaining matches, the Titans are likely to make the playoffs, unless they drop their net run rate unimaginably.
M - 11; Won - 8; Lost - 3; Pts - 16; NRR - (+0.120)
Remaining matches: vs Lucknow Super Giants on May 10; vs Chennai Super Kings on May 15; vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 19.
3. Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson & Co will need at least one more win for a possible playoff spot.
M - 11; Won - 7; Lost - 4; Pts - 14; NRR - (+0.326)
Remaining matches: vs Delhi Capitals on May 11; vs Lucknow Super Giants on May 15; vs Chennai Super Kings on May 20.
4. Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis & Co have revived their campaign with a win against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. But RCB will need to win their remaining two games to stand a chance to make the playoffs. They also need to improve the net run rate.
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M - 12; Won - 7; Lost - 6; Pts - 14; NRR - (-0.115)
Remaining matches: vs Punjab Kings on May 13; vs Gujarat Titans on May 19.
5. Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant & Co will need to win all their remaining matches.
M - 11; Won - 5; Lost - 6; Pts - 10; NRR - (+0.150)
Remaining matches: vs Rajasthan Royals on May 11; vs Punjab Kings on May 16; vs Mumbai Indians on May 21.
6. Sunrisers Hyderabad: The former champions are in a free fall. On Sunday, they lost for the fourth successive time. Kane Williamson & Co will hope against hope to make the playoffs, and for that, they will need to win their remaining three matches.
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M - 11; Won - 5; Lost - 6; Pts - 10; NRR - (-0.031)
Remaining matches: vs Kolkata Knight Riders on May 14; vs Mumbai Indians on May 17; vs Punjab Kings on May 22.
7. Punjab Kings: Mayank Agarwal & Co suffered their sixth defeat on Saturday. They will need to win the remaining three matches to have a realistic chance of making the last four.
M - 11; Won - 5; Lost - 6; Pts - 10; NRR - (-0.231)
Remaining matches: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 13; vs Delhi Capitals on May 16; vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 22.
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8. Chennai Super Kings: They need to win all their remaining matches. Four teams already have 14 or more points. For CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders to make the playoff now, they will need miracles.
M - 11; Won - 4; Lost - 7; Pts - 8; NRR - (+0.028)
Remaining matches: vs Mumbai Indians on May 12; vs Gujarat Titans on May 15; vs Rajasthan Royals on May 20.
9. Kolkata Knight Riders: With seven defeats in 11 matches and with a poor net run rate, Shreyas Iyer & Co are all but out.
M - 11; Won - 4; Lost - 7; Pts - 8; NRR - (-0.304)
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Remaining matches: vs Mumbai Indians on May 9; vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 14; vs Lucknow Super Giants on May 18.
10: Mumbai Indians: It's over. But they will fight to avoid the wooden spoon.
M - 10; Won - 2; Lost - 8; Pts - 4; NRR - (-0.725)
Remaining matches: vs Kolkata Knight Riders on May 9; vs Chennai Super Kings on May 12; vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 17; vs Delhi Capitals on May 21.
IPL 2022 Playoffs will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata and Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
The Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are scheduled for May 24 and 25 in Kolkata; while Qualifier 2 and the final are scheduled for May 27 and 29.
