The 14th season of the IPL began on April 9 this year. However, the competition was postponed on 2nd May 2021 because of the outbreak of the coronavirus. A total of 60 matches were to be played at the IPL 14 and 29 matches were played when the BCCI postponed the league. The league resumed on 19th September in the UAE, with the remaining 31 matches taking place in this country. Before the suspension, Delhi Capitals were in first place in the points standings, with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last place with only two points. Let's have a look at the IPL 2021 playoffs qualification scenarios.    Playoffs Qualification Scenarios of IPL 2021 The league has reached halfway of its journey. The scenario of the points table is described below.   Chennai Super kings Veteran MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings resumed their campaign with a 20-run victory over Mumbai Indians on Sunday (September 19) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This was a crucial game for Chennai in their quest for a playoff spot. The victory elevated them to the top of the points standings. Chennai have six games left in this season and will qualify for the playoffs if they can win at least two more matches.   Chennai’s remaining fixtures:  RCB (24th Sep), KKR (26th Sep), SRH (30th Sep), RR (2nd OCT), DC (4th OCT), PBKS (7th OCT)   Also read: Virat Kohli to step down as India's T20 skipper Delhi Capitals Delhi's regular captain Shreyas Iyer has stepped down as captain at least for the time being. Now, Iyer’s full focus is on his batting. India's number one wicket-keeper Rishab Pant has been named captain for the remainder of the season. This group has some incredible talents and they have worked well together. Delhi Capitals are presently tied with Chennai Super Kings for first place in the points table. So, they are only two victories away from securing a playoff berth. Delhi’s remaining fixtures:  SRH (22nd Sep), RR (25th Sep), KKR (28th Sep), MI (2nd OCT), CSK (4th OCT), RCB (8th OCT) Read ​​​​​​​Tamim Iqbal desires to win the 2023 World Cup as Captain Royal Challengers Bangalore Virat Kohli has announced that he will leave the captaincy role of RCB after the IPL 2021 season. Kohli's choice has shocked many cricket fans across the world given that he has been an effective leader both for club and country. Royal Challengers Bangalore are presently in third place in the IPL 2021 points table. They must win at least three of their remaining games to advance to the next round.  Bangalore’s remaining fixtures:  CSK (24th Sep), MI (26th Sep), RR (29th Sep), PBKS (3rd OCT), SRH (6th OCT), DC (8th OCT)    Also read: IPL 2021: Those who are at the Top Before the Tournament Resume Mumbai Indians Rohit Sharma's side has some real match-winners, and they usually play better at the tournament's key stages. However, the most successful team in IPL history Mumbai Indians are struggling this season. They have lost four games and won only four so far. Mumbai Indians need to win four more games in order to secure a place in the playoffs. Mumbai’s remaining fixtures: KKR (23rd Sep), RCB (26th Sep), PBKS (28th Sep), DC (2nd OCT), RR (5th OCT), SRH (8th OCT)      Read T20 World Cup 2021: Favorites to qualify for semifinals from Group 1

  Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently in home isolation in Mumbai. This was announced by the Indian cricket legend himself on social media Saturday (March 27, 2021). However, he said that his family had tested negative for coronavirus. "I've been testing myself and taking all the recommended precautions to ensure Covid is kept at bay. However, I've tested positive today following mild symptoms," Sachin tweeted. Read Eyeing a career in cricket? Soon, learn from Tendulkar "All others at home tested negative. I've quarantined myself at home and am following all the necessary protocols as advised by my doctors," he added. Earlier this month, Sachin played a prank on the medical staff during a routine Covid test ahead of India Legends cricket match against England Legends for the Road Safety World Series. As a healthcare worker took the nasal swab from him, Sachin screamed, pretending to be in pain. The medical staffer was taken aback before Sachin smiled, revealing it was nothing but a prank. Also read: 5 India cricketers isolated after apparent quarantine breach Sachin retired in October 2013 after playing his 200th Test match against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in his hometown of Mumbai. It was a 24-year-long stint since his Test debut in November 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi at the age of 16. The former Indian batsman, who captained India twice during his career, is the highest scorer of all time in international cricket, having more than 30,000 runs in his kitty. Sachin is also the only cricketer in the world to play 200 Tests and score as many as 100 international hundreds. He has amassed 18,426 runs from 463 ODIs at an average of 44.83 and 15,921 runs from 200 Tests. Read Dhoni creates new world record with over 30m Instagram fans The 47-year-old was also conferred India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 2014 by then President Pranab Mukherjee. Since his retirement, 'The God of Cricket' has garnered fans in the startup community also -- playing the role of an ideal civilian mentor to the young minds of India. In 2010, Time magazine included Sachin Tendulkar in its annual Time 100 list as one of the 'Most Influential People in the World. Also read: 2 India cricketers suspended over inappropriate TV comments

Five India players are in precautionary isolation as India’s cricket board investigates a potential breach of biosecurity protocols ahead of the start of the third test on Thursday against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Indian cricketers have been the face of numerous brands over the years. But with the startup culture flourishing in this country, it is just another pitch for many retired players to show their talent with all that they have -- brand value, marketing power and even money -- in their second innings of life.