IPL 2019: Sunrisers Hyderabad sneak into play-offs, script IPL history

Mumbai Indians topped the group with 18 points and a superior NRR in comparison to Chennai Super Kings, who finished second.

Sunrisers Hyderabad became the first team in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to qualify for play-offs with just 12 points in the league stage. Hyderabad joined Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Sunrisers Hyderabad players celebrate after the fall of wicket. (AFP)

Hyderabad’s hopes of making it into the play-offs suffered a massive blow on Saturday after they lost their last league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. But Kolkata Knight Riders’ nine-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium ensured Hyderabad’s progression into the play-offs.

Both Hyderabad (+0.58) and Kolkata (+0.03) finished the league stage with 12 points but Kane Williamson’s troops moved into the next round courtesy of a better Net Run Rate (NRR).

Mumbai Indians (+0.42) topped the group with 18 points and a superior NRR in comparison to Chennai Super Kings (+0.13), who finished second. CSK needed a win against KXIP to top the table but lost the match in Mohali by 6 wickets. Delhi (+0.04) too ended with 18 points but their NRR was worse than CSK and had to settle for third.

This means Mumbai Indians will now take on Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 while Delhi Capitals will lock horns against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. The winner of Qualifier 1 will progress into the final while the loser will play against the winner of the Eliminator for a place in the final on May 12.