Ahmedabad is all set to play host to the first half of Indian Premier League knockout action, with the first qualifier and eliminator taking centre stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Following an array of rain interrupted affairs in the IPL, players and fans of the four remaining franchises in the tournament will be glad to hear that the forecast in Gujarat’s largest city is hot and sunny.
The sides in this season’s playoffs are all change from last season, with final weekend drama determining the fate of the final four.
For the first time in a ten-team edition of the competition, 14 points was enough to qualify.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s incredible comeback came down to the wire as they bettered the run rate of defending champions Chennai Super Kings to steal fourth spot on Saturday.
Their form now features six wins on the spin, with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli eyeing a magical first ever trophy for their side.
To get it, they will need to beat the Rajasthan Royals, whose qualification story is quite the opposite to their Royal rivals.
Unlike RCB, the double R’s were at the top of the table for the majority of the league stages. They only fell off at the back-end, winning just one of their final six matches to drop down into third spot.
Their lack of form means that they will have to win twice to make the finals, unlike the top two sides, who will have two cracks in the playoffs.
The Kolkata Knight Riders, due to rain, have not played a game in ten days. Their capabilities are known by all though, losing just thrice all season as they cemented their spot at the top of the standings with 20 points.
Below them, on 17 points, lies the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their final day win helped them into qualifier one, where they can flex their muscles against the log leaders.
The top two will know that a win on Tuesday will send them straight into Sunday’s showpiece event.
A defeat will send them into Friday’s qualifier two, where they will take on the winner of Wednesday’s eliminator.
IPL playoff fixtures
Qualifier 1: Tuesday: Ahmedabad
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Eliminator: Wednesday: Ahmedabad
Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Qualifier 2: Friday: Chennai
Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator
Final: Sunday: Chennai
Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2
Pictured above: IPL playoffs captains graphic.
Image source: @IPLT20
