Two huge games to decide IPL play-offs…

Two spots in the play-offs remain open as the closest finish to an Indian Premier League season ever reaches its climax

It’s crunch time for Indian Premier League finals hopefuls on Sunday with just two games left and five teams still in the running for the playoffs.

The IPL’s playoffs format will see the top two teams face off in a qualifier for a spot in the final on Tuesday night (May 24). The teams that finished third and fourth meet in an elimination final the next night.

Gujarat Lions sealed their spot in the qualifier with their win over Mumbai on Saturday night, while David Warner’s Sunrisers are in the box seat to join them, needing to defeat Kolkata on Sunday.

The season is over for whichever team loses Wednesday night’s eliminator, while the winner will meet the loser of Tuesday’s qualifier in Delhi on May 27 to vie for the second spot in the final in Bangalore next Sunday night.

A number of Australia’s one-day squad members are likely to feature in the IPL finals – including Hyderabad captain David Warner, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Travis Head and Gujarat Lions’ Aaron Finch and James Faulkner – with all to remain (barring injury) with their respective clubs until their campaigns are completed, before linking up with the ODI squad in Guyana ahead of their clash with the West Indies on June 5.

Here’s how the table shapes up for regular season conclusion:

1. Gujarat Lions (18 points)

A batting blitz from Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina saw Gurajat seal a double chance on Saturday night. It’s an impressive result for Brad Hodge’s men in their debut season.