What happened when KKR last finished in top-two of IPL league stage?

Kolkata Knight Riders are assured of finishing in the top-two of the Indian Premier League (IPL) league stage following the points shared with Gujarat Titans . KKR’s visit to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad proved a dud as the match was abandoned with a ball bowled . As a result, GT cannot make the playoffs for a third season in a row while KKR are certain of a top-two place.

At the top of the points table , Kolkata Knight Riders have scored 19 points from 13 matches with nine wins, three defeats and a no result on Monday. With one match to go, against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, no one can push them lower than second. Only RR can do better than KKR should they win both their remaining matches.

A top-two finish assures teams of two attempts at making the IPL final on 26 May. Meanwhile the teams that finish third and fourth will have to go through two matches to make the title clash.

The Shreyas Iyer-led KKR have been to the playoffs seven times before - in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021. After two straight seasons of seventh place finishes in the 10-team competition, KKR have been the team to beat.

Of the seven forays into the knockout stage of the IPL, only twice have they done it by finishing inside the top-two. In 2012, the Gautam Gambhi-led side were second best - behind Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils). Two years later, in 2014, KKR finished second again - this time behind Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab).

On both occasions, KKR would go on to play the final and lift the trophy by the end of it. In 2012, KKR would beat Chennai Super Kings in the final for their maiden IPL trophy. In 2014, KKR defeated KXIP for their second title.

This time, Gautam Gambhir is not in the middle and captaining the side. But ‘Gauti’ is in the dugout as the mentor to the team and has already made some smart changes to the setup - including pushing Sunil Narine to the opening slot.