‘5 Instances of an IPL team advancing to the playoffs due to net run rate’
Cricket is a funny game, the only one can expect from this game is unaccepted. One of the most difficult things to understand in cricket is the net run rate. There have been numerous instances where two teams having the same number of points but only one of them goes through to the next round. We have seen this a lot of IPL matches over the years where an IPL team advancing to the playoffs due to net run rate. Today we shall take a look at 5 such instances where an IPL team advanced to the playoffs due to net run rate.
1) Deccan Chargers in IPL 2009:
Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab had ended the league stage of the competition with the same number of points (14). However, Deccan Chargers had a far superior net run rate, and hence the Chargers pipped Punjab for the final playoff spot. Deccan Charges then went on to win the second edition of the IPL under the leadership of Adam Gilchrist.
2) Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2012:
CSK are known as the “Slow Starters” of IPL and have managed to qualify for the playoffs at the very end of the group stage on numerous occasions. CSK and RCB had the same number of points (17) at the end of the league stage, with CSK qualifying for the playoffs because of their superior net run rate.CSK lost their final league game of the season against Kings XI Punjab to remain on 17 points.
RCB won their penultimate match against Delhi Daredevils the same day, in the process moving level with CSK but with an inferior net run rate. The equation was now pretty straightforward for RCB – beat Deccan Chargers in their last league game and advance to the playoffs at the expense of CSK. However, that didn’t happen as DC managed to beat RCB and helped CSK qualify for the playoffs out of nowhere.
3) CSK in IPL 2010:
RCB, DD and KKR had the same number of points and if CSK had to match them, they had to win their last match against KXIP. they won their last league game against KXIP to end up with 14 points. RCB also joined the would-be champions in the playoffs despite losing their last match against MI by 57 runs, which dented their net run rate.
4) Mumbai Indians in IPL 2014:
Safe to call this the greatest comeback of all time? MI had lost their first 5 matches in the seventh edition of the league and still managed to qualify for the playoffs. Mumbai Indians pulled off an improbable chase of 190 runs in 14.4 overs in their last league game to pip their opponents Rajasthan Royals on the net run rate for a playoff spot.
5) Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2019:
The orange army won six and lost as many of their first 12 games but still qualified for the playoffs despite losing their last two league fixtures. Despite KKR winning 4 out of their first 5 games had to watch SRH qualify for the playoffs ahead of them. KKR had to win their last game against Mumbai Indians but failed to do so. Hence SRH made it to the playoffs.