The Gujarat Titans have surprised everyone by becoming the first team to qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs with two games left. Oppositely, the first team to be knocked out of the league phase is the Mumbai Indians. There are still three spots up for grabs for the next round. Seven teams are fighting for these remaining spots. With 13 matches left before the end of the league phase, the battle for a place in the next round is heating up. Let’s take a look at the playoffs qualification scenarios for the 15th season of the Indian Premier League. Which teams have the best chances to make the IPL 2022 playoffs? Most teams have three games left in the league round in the fifteenth season of the Indian Premier League. Dropping points now will have a huge influence on the team's chances of making the playoffs. Here is the latest points table situation for the present IPL season. Read: Rain interrupts Sri Lanka’s preparation for Bangladesh Tests 2022 Indian Premier League Points Table (as on May 10) Position Team Match Win Loss Points NRR 1 Gujarat Titans (Q) 12 9 3 18 0.376 2 Lucknow SuperGiants 12 8 4 16 0.385 3 Rajasthan Royals                      11 7 4 14 0.326 4 Royal Challengers Bangalore 12 7 5 14 -0.115 5 Delhi Capitals 11 5 6 10 0.150 6 Sunrisers Hyderabad               11 5 6 10 -0.031 7 Kolkata Knight Riders              12 5 7 10 -0.057 8 Punjab Kings               11 5 6 10 -0.231 9 Chennai Super Kings                11 4 7 8 0.028 10 Mumbai Indians (E) 11 2 9 4 -0.894         Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Lucknow, Rajasthan, and Bangalore's chances of making the playoffs The Lucknow SuperGiants, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore are in pole position for the quest for an IPL 2022 playoffs berth. Lucknow have 16 points and they can secure a spot in the next round even without winning their remaining matches in the league phase. But for that, they will have to rely on the outcomes of the other fixtures. On the other hand, Rajasthan and Bangalore are currently sitting in the third and fourth positions in the points table with 14 points each. Both teams are one win away from securing a place in the knockout phase. Read: BAN vs SL Test Series 2022: Five Crucial Players for Bangladesh The remaining fixtures of these three teams  Lucknow SuperGiants: Rajasthan Royals (May 15), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 18) Rajasthan Royals: Delhi Capitals (May 11), Lucknow SuperGiants (May 15), Chennai Super Kings (May 20) Royal Challengers Bangalore: Punjab Kings (May 13), Gujarat Titans (May 19) What are the chances for Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Punjab, and Chennai to advance to the next round? Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Punjab all have 10 points each. However, Delhi still have a strong chance to make it to the playoffs as they have three matches left. In addition, the Capitals have better run rates than the bottom teams in the points table. Chennai have 8 points and, mathematically, they are also in contention for a place in the playoffs. However, they have to rely on other fixtures to advance to the next phase. Read: Shakib tests positive for Covid-19 The four teams' remaining matches Delhi Capitals: Rajasthan Royals (May 11), Punjab Kings (May 16), Mumbai Indians (May 21) Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kolkata Knight Riders (May 14), Mumbai Indians (May 17), Punjab Kings (May 22) Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 14), Lucknow SuperGiants (May 18) Punjab Kings: Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 13), Delhi Capitals (May 16) Chennai Super Kings: Mumbai Indians (May 12), Gujarat Titans (May 15), Rajasthan Royals (May 20) Aftermath The Gujarat Titans have shown real promise in their maiden season in the Indian Premier League. They are the most consistent team in the season and have secured a place in the playoffs as the first team in this year’s edition. Among the other teams, Lucknow SuperGiants, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore are in good position for a playoff berth. Read Shakib tests positive for Covid-19 However, the Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, and Chennai Super Kings all have an outside chance to advance to the next round of IPL 2022. Aside from that, the most successful team in Indian Premier League history, Mumbai Indians are having a particularly difficult season this year. They are already out of contention for the knockout phase after only two victories in eleven games.

The Indian Premier League's 15th season began on March 26, with 10 franchises competing in this year's edition. A total of 74 matches are to be played in the IPL 2022, with 38 of them already finished. With half of the league stage matches completed, the current position of each team in the point standings is becoming apparent. The Gujarat Titans currently top the points table with 12 points, while the Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, are in the last position with no wins. Let's have a look at the ten-team IPL 2022 playoffs qualification scenarios. Scenarios for the IPL 2022 Playoffs The fifteenth season of the Indian Premier League has reached the halfway mark. The points table scenario is discussed here. Gujarat Titans Gujarat Titans are having a fantastic season in the IPL 2022. They have only lost one of their seven games so far. The Gujarat Titans are expected to win as many points as possible in the next seven matches in order to finish first in the standings and proceed to the playoff round to play qualifier 1. Read Former South Africa cricket captain Smith cleared of racism Remaining Fixtures: Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 27), Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 30), Punjab Kings (May 3), Mumbai Indians (May 6), Lucknow Super Giants (May 10), Chennai Super Kings (May 15), Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 19) Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore With 10 points apiece, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Lucknow, and Bangalore are in second, third, and fourth position, respectively. The net run rates are separating each other in the points standings. They are all in solid positions in the points table and poised to make a push for the top four. Remaining Fixtures (Sunrisers Hyderabad):  Gujarat Titans (April 27), Chennai Super Kings (May 1), Delhi Capitals (May 5), Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 8), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 14), Mumbai Indians (May 17), Punjab Kings (May 22).  Read BAN vs SL Series 2022: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis Remaining Fixtures (Rajasthan Royals):  Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 26), Mumbai Indians (April 30), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 2), Punjab Kings (May 7), Delhi Capitals (May 11), Lucknow Super Giants (May 15), Chennai Super Kings (May 20) Remaining Fixtures (Lucknow Super Giants):  Punjab Kings (April 29), Delhi Capitals (May 1), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 7), Gujarat Titans (May 10), Rajasthan Royals (May 15), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 18) Remaining Fixtures (Royal Challengers Bangalore):  Rajasthan Royals (April 26), Gujarat Titans (April 30), Chennai Super Kings (May 4), Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 8), Punjab Kings (May 13), Gujarat Titans (May 19). Read BAN vs SL Series 2022: Mustafizur's versatile bowling could have been beneficial for Bangladesh Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings Punjab are in the sixth position with eight points from eight games, followed by Delhi and Kolkata, both with six points. Chennai are in ninth place with four points. Among these clubs, Punjab have a greater chance of making the playoffs than the rest. However, Delhi and Kolkata can advance to the next round if they win their remaining games. On the other hand, Chennai have a very slim chance of making the playoffs. Remaining Fixtures (Punjab Kings): Lucknow Super Giants (April 29), Gujarat Titans (May 3), Rajasthan Royals (May 7), Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 13), Delhi Capitals (May 16), Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 22) Remaining Fixtures (Delhi Capitals):  Kolkata Knight Riders (April 28), Lucknow Super Giants (May 1), Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 5), Chennai Super Kings (May 8), Rajasthan Royals (May 11), Punjab Kings (May 16), Mumbai Indians (May 21). Read IPL 2022: Jos Buttler's Record-Breaking Knock Helps Rajasthan Reach the Top Remaining Fixtures (Kolkata Knight Riders):  Delhi Capitals (April 28), Rajasthan Royals (May 2), Lucknow Super Giants (May 7), Mumbai Indians (May 9), Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 14), Lucknow Super Giants (May 18)  Mumbai Indians The most successful team in IPL history, Mumbai Indians are yet to win a game this season. They presently have 0 points and are at the bottom of the standings. In reality, the Rohit Sharma-led team has no chance of progressing to the next round. Aftermath The top four teams in the points table will advance to the playoffs. As a result, teams compete against one another to finish in the top four positions in the standings. As of now, the Gujarat Titans are in a prime position to qualify for the playoffs as the first team. Apart from that, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore are all in fine shape in their quest for a playoffs berth. Mumbai Indians, who have failed to gain a point after eight IPL 2022 group matches, are virtually out of playoffs contention among the bottom teams.  Read Sheikh Jamal, Legends of Rupganj in Pole Position to Win DPL 2022