IPL Playoffs: A Retrospective of the Last Five Seasons
The Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs represent the business end of India's premier domestic T20 tournament. As the competition heads into the final stages of the 2022 season, a look back at the tournament's recent history reveals how table toppers and eventual champions have fared over the last five years.
The Road to the IPL 2022 Playoffs
For the 2022 season, the newly introduced Gujarat Titans secured the top spot on the points table. By finishing as table toppers, the Titans earned two opportunities to qualify for the tournament's final match.
The 2022 playoff matches are scheduled to take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This venue presents a unique challenge for all qualifying teams, as none of the franchises have played at this stadium during the current season.
Recent Playoff History: 2020 and 2021 Seasons
The 2021 edition of the IPL was staged in Dubai. During this season, Delhi Capitals finished at the top of the league table. Despite their strong league stage performance, they were unable to secure a place in the final. Instead, Chennai Super Kings, showing strong form, went on to win the championship.
The 2020 season was also hosted in Dubai due to external circumstances. In this edition, Mumbai Indians established themselves as clear favorites, topping the league table at the end of the round-robin stage. They successfully converted their dominant run into a title, defeating Delhi Capitals in the final to lift the trophy.
Looking Back at 2018 and 2019
The 2019 season saw another successful campaign for Mumbai Indians. The franchise maintained their momentum throughout the playoffs and ultimately defeated rivals Chennai Super Kings in the final to claim the championship title.
In 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad finished at the top of the league table after the group stage matches. However, they were unable to close out the tournament with a victory. Chennai Super Kings defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final match to claim the IPL trophy for that season.
