IPL 2019: Here’s how Sachin’s predictions for the playoffs came true!

Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai Indians after sealing a super over victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad became the third team this season to seal a spot in the playoffs. Batting first at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai put up a score 162/5 on the board. Chasing the score down, SRH did not get over the line and could only manage to match MI’s total. The game then headed into a super over where Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics meant that Mumbai only had to chase 9 runs. Hardik Pandya finished the job, taking only 3 deliveries to guide Mumbai to a win.

With Mumbai’s victory, Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar’s 3 predictions for the playoff spots have already come true. Speaking to 100MB on his birthday on 24th April, Sachin had predicted that Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals would qualify for the playoffs.

For the fourth and final playoff spot, Sachin had predicted that it would be a close fight between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab. According to Sachin, with key players like David Warner and Jonny Bairstow flying out for World Cup preparations, SRH would struggle and KXIP could take advantage of such a situation.

Warner has been Hyderabad’s key performer this season, scoring 692 runs and being the current Orange Cap holder. He was brilliantly complemented by Jonny Bairstow who scored 445 runs in 10 matches.

After Sachin, Australian pace legend Brett Lee had also predicted his final four for the playoffs. Writing for 100MB, Lee had predicted that along with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad would qualify for the playoffs.