It was quite a coincidence how the winners emerged after 2011
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed its fair share of coincidences, and among many, in this article, we address one that left us shocked. In 2011, the league introduced a playoff, according to which the top four finishers from the table battle in the playoff round.
As we are thoroughly aware, the number 1 and 2 teams play in the first qualifier, the winner of which proceeds to the final. However, the number 2 team still remains in contention. The number 3 and 4 teams play in an eliminator game, the loser of which goes out of the tournament. Finally, the loser of qualifier one and the winner of eliminator play the second qualifier; whoever wins proceeds to the final.
This is how IPL’s format has been since 2011. Coincidentally, in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, the team that finished second on the table lifted the IPL trophy.
In 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, finished second on the IPL table by winning 11 games and losing five out of 16 table matches. In qualifier one, KKR beat Delhi Daredevils (DC) by 18 runs and reached the final game. In the final, KKR met Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and the Dhoni-led team posted a target of 190 runs, thanks to Suresh Raina’s 73 runs off 38 balls. However, Manvinder Bisla’s 89 and Jacques Kallis’ 69 gave KKR its first IPL trophy.
The wrath of KKR’s Manvinder Bisla against CSK
In 2013, the Mumbai Indians (MI) finished second on the group table with 11 wins and five losses out of 16 matches, accumulating 22 points. In qualifier one, Mumbai lost the game against CSK, but the team won qualifier two against Rajasthan Royals and reached the final to meet CSK once again. The Mumbai Indians failed to score big, giving only 149 runs on target. However, the Mumbai bowlers kept their composure as CSK batters could only manage 125 runs in 20 overs –Mumbai Indians became the champions.
KKR won its second IPL trophy in 2012, 10 years ago. The team again finished second on the table, scoring 18 points with nine wins and five losses from 14 games. In qualifier one, KKR defeated Kings XI Punjab by 28 runs. However, despite losing to KKR in qualifier one, Punjab won qualifier two and reached the final for a second round of battle with KKR. Punjab posted 199 runs, thanks to Wriddhiman Saha’s 115 runs off 55 balls, but his efforts went in vain. KKR won the match, courtesy of Manish Pandey’s 94 off 50, Yusuf Pathan’s 36 off 22, and Gautam Gambhir’s 23 off 17 runs.
Manish Pandey in action during the final match for KKR against Punjab
Once again, it was the clash of the two best teams of the Indian Premier League—CSK vs. MI—a match often hailed as the El Classico of the IPL. Mumbai Indians finished second in the group stable and won qualifier one by defeating CSK. However, CSK won the qualifier two and reached the final to fight the Mumbai Indians for a second round. Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, pipping CSK by 41 runs at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
In 2016, the chain of coincidences finally shattered. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had finished second on the table and reached the finale, but RCB, being RCB, faltered against Sunrisers Hyderabad and failed to lift the trophy.
