IPL 2022 playoffs are scheduled to begin soon after the group stage concludes. All the teams have played most of their matches, but it is still unclear which teams will actually make it to the playoffs. This is the thrill and beauty of IPL that until the last match of the group stage, one can not be sure which team will actually qualify for playing the qualifiers. This season has seen a surprising turn of events, with champion teams Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings being at the bottom of the table. Both teams have already been thrown out of the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders, the two times champions, have also been eliminated from the race of the playoffs. It is highly likely that a new champion will be crowned at this year’s IPL finale.
Here are the four teams expected to make the IPL playoffs:
1- Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants are the table-toppers in the tournament with 8 wins in 11 games. KL Rahul has done wonders with his captaincy at this new franchise. Gautam Gambhir, the mentor, has managed to select the right combination of players at the auction who are winning games for the franchise. Their berth in the playoffs is almost sealed, and with one win, they will make sure that they qualify for the 1st qualifier. They have also discovered new talented players like Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni, who have helped them win a few games. They look like a complete team in this year’s IPL and have a great chance at winning the tournament.
2- Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans recently lost their first place in the points table to Lucknow Super Giants with two consecutive defeats. However, they are still comfortably placed at the 2nd position with 8 games in 11 games. Hardik Pandya has led the newly formed franchise with vigour and valour in the tournament. Their constant ability to win the critical phases in the game is their biggest asset. They have a bunch that stays calm in the gravest of situations. Along with Lucknow Super Giants, they also have a great chance at making it to the IPL playoffs.
3- Rajasthan Royals
Both the orange cap and purple cap holder are from this team at this point of time in IPL 2022. Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal have single-handedly won them quite a few games. Sanju Samson has played a few cameos but is yet to get a big score in the tournament. Rajasthan has one of the best bowling attacks in IPL and looks like one of the best-balanced teams in this year’s IPL. Currently, they are placed in the third position in the points table but can make it to the IPL playoffs if they win 2 out of their remaining games. It might be their year after the inaugural session.
4- Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore are placed at 4th position in the points table with 6 games in 11 games. Their net run rate is a bit of a worry, but the team has bounced back nicely to win two consecutive games. Josh Hazlewood and Wanindu Hasaranga had filled the gap in RCB’s bowling, and finally, for the first time in IPL history, RCB looks a much better bowling unit than other teams in the competition. Virat Kohli’s form is still a worry for them, but with Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik, they have the tools to overpower any team in the tournament. They will likely make it to the 2nd qualifier, and then it will depend on their team effort to make it to the finals.
Read also: 8 Historical IPL Moments One Can Never Forget