IPL 2018: What Happens if And When Qualifier 1st Gets Washed out?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has reached its business end, and the thrill around it will begin to increase manifolds with the impending playoff fixtures. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are facing table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Qualifier 1st at the Wankhede Stadium.

Moreover, the winner of this particular game will book their place in the mega final of the IPL 2018 on May 27.

While the losing team faces the winner of Eliminator one, in the Qualifier second – to determine the second finalist of the much-awaited final.

Interestingly, the playoffs do not have the option of a reserve day, if rain interrupts the match. Which means that it would be tricky to decide the outcome of the match.

Having said that, there is a simple solution to the dilemma. To determine the finalists and the other team which has to take on the winner of Eliminator, the points table will be looked at yet again.

If we look at the points table and compare the situation of the two teams in the qualifier, there’s nothing much to choose from as it would be more like splitting hairs.

Both teams collected the same number of points after playing all fourteen matches of the league. Super Kings and Sunrisers have 18 points in their tally, with the help of their nine victories in the tournament.

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However, the Sunrisers marginally have a better Net Run-Rate of +0.284. While CSK has a Net Run Rate +0.253. Therefore, the men in yellow are placed second in the points table.

Hence, due to their superior run-rate and position on the points table, Hyderabad will progress into the finals. This would only be possible if rain interrupts play to abandon the Qualifier 1st.

While, on the other hand, Super Kings will have to feature against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) or Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the second Qualifiers, to progress into the grand finale.