IPL: 8 teams in contention for 3 places
By defeating Lucknow Super Giants yesterday, Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify for the play-offs of the Indian Premier League this year. With 18 points from 12 matches, the Titans have ensured their place with two more matches still to go.
However, for the other three places, as many as eight teams are in contention, with five-time champions Mumbai Indians being the only one not in the reckoning.
Currently at the second position are the Lucknow Super Giants, with 16 points from 12 matches. Though various possibilities are there, going by their current form, the team is almost guaranteed a place among the top four.
That effectively leaves seven teams fighting for two places, and with just two to three matches left for each of them to play. Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore now occupy the third and fourth places, both on 14 points and four clear of the next best.
But things can change, and anyone among Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings can qualify. Everything is in the realm of possibilities. Only four-time champions Chennai Super Kings are the least likely of the eight to qualify for the play-offs, having accumulated just eight points from 11 matches.
Therefore, it will only get more and more interesting over the next 11 days, by which time all the round-robin matches would be completed.
The three play-offs are scheduled for May 24, May 25 and May 27, and the final in Ahmedabad on May 29.
