IPL 2018: Who qualifies for final if CSK vs SRH Qualifier 1 does not take place?

Mumbai: Delhi Daredevils (DD) knocked out Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as the league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 came to an end on Sunday. While Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had already booked their places in the playoffs, MI and KXIP’s defeats helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) join SRH, CSK and KKR in the playoffs for IPL 2018.

The Qualifier 1 will take place on May 22, Tuesday in Mumbai while Eliminator and Qualifier 2 will take place on May 23 and May 25 in Kolkata, with final taking place in Mumbai on May 27.

(Photo: Screengrab / IPL Website)

While KKR and RR finished with third and fourth place and booked the Eliminator encounter for May 23rd, CSK’s win over KXIP helped them seal second spot, which means they will square off against table toppers SRH in Qualifier 1 and face them for the third time this season.

However, what will happen if the Qualifier 1 encounter between SRH and CSK does not take place for whatever reason?

While it is highly unlikely that it will rain and the Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai gets called off subsequently or otherwise, in case it had to be called off, then it will be SRH, who will directly make it to the final, with CSK having to play the winner from Eliminator (either KKR or RR) in Qualifier 2 on May 25 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

While CSK have won both the games (home and away) against SRH, the Kane Williamson-led side finished ahead of CSK on points table on the basis of better net run-rate and hence, they will get a direct entry into the finals if the Qualifier 1 does not take place.