Chennaiyin FC are the first team to qualify for the Hero Indian Super League semi-finals. Following their 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi, Chennaiyin are guaranteed a top-four finish. The Marco Materazzi-coached side are on 22 points from 12 games. Atlético de Kolkata, FC Goa, Delhi Dynamos FC, NorthEast United FC, and FC Pune City can all reach or cross that 22-point mark, but as the remaining fixtures include games between some of these sides, at most, only three teams can top Chennaiyin. On the other hand, Kerala Blasters (15 points with two games left) and Mumbai City FC (12 points and three games remaining) can at best reach a maximum of 21 points. As things stand, any of the remaining seven teams can finish in the remaining three semi-final spots, as the highly-competitive league enters its home stretch, with a total of 11 games left in the league phase. Meanwhile, going by the current standings, another win for Chennaiyin would guarantee the side co-owned by actor Abhishek Bachchan, India cricket captain MS Dhoni, and Vita Dani, a top-two finish.
