In one of the most aggressive cricket tournaments, some teams have managed to perform consistently despite pressure from all quarters.
T20 cricket is an aggressive form of cricket unlike ODI or Test. In this format, every ball must be dealt carefully because one ball is enough to determine the result of the game. When it comes to the Indian Premier League, there is no doubt that it is one the most pacey cricket tournaments in the world. Despite aggression from all ends, a few teams have managed to remain consistent reaching multiple playoff rounds consecutively.
In the following paragraphs, we have listed the top three teams that have reached the playoffs most consecutive number of times.
2020 was the first time that the Chennai Super Kings did not make it to the playoffs in the history of the IPL since the inception of the tournament in 2008. The MS Dhoni-led side had qualified for the playoffs each time except for the two years when they were not part of the tournament in 2016 and 2017, which broke their winning streak.
Between 2008 and 2015, Chennai qualified for the playoffs eight consecutive times, which also included two title wins. The team finished as the runners-up in the inaugural edition of the tournament and then lifted the IPL trophy in consecutive years in 2010 and 2011.
The team has ended up as the runners up most times as well, with them finishing second best in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.
The CSK team with the IPL’s trophy
If there is one team which can not only successfully challenge but surpass the legacy of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, it is Mumbai Indians. Mumbai were on a roll in the IPL from 2010 to 2015 and are still going strong.
The team qualified for the playoffs on six consecutive occasions during this period, which included two title victories in 2013 and 2015. An aberration occurred in 2016 when Mumbai finished at the 5th spot, and their string of playoff qualification was broken.
In 2010, Mumbai finished as the runners up and backed it up with a defeat in Qualifier 2 and defeat in the Eliminator. Apart from the title wins in 2013 and 2015, Mumbai lost in the Eliminator in 2014.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been successful in flying under the radar. The team may not be picked as contenders for the title, but they have shown each year that they can make it to the playoffs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrating their first IPL trophy
SRH started playing with the current name only in 2013 and had a couple of years in 2014 and 2015 when they finished in the 6th spot. However, since they won the title in 2016, the team has been very consistent and has made it to the playoffs in each of the five editions from 2016 to 2020.
Hyderabad put together a five-year streak after they finished at the third spot following the league stage in IPL 2020 with seven wins and seven losses from 14 games. Finally, in 2021, their streak ended as they finished at the bottom of the table in the eighth position.
