The IPL is into the final strait in the race for the playoffs, with eight teams battling it out for the four available playoff places.
The only certainty is that Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians will not be involved in the playoffs as they have already been eliminated.
Ahead of Thursday’s match between, Punjab Kings and Mumbai, most teams have either two or three matches remaining.
Here we take a look at the standings and what each team needs to do to qualify for the final four:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Played: 12
Points: 16, Net Run Rate: 1.053
Remaining matches: PBKS, SRH
Recent Record: WWLLW
RCB have one foot in the playoffs and if they win their final two matches they are guaranteed a top 2 finish and a place in Qualifier 1, with the prospect of going straight through to the grand final. Even if they don’t win both fixtures, their net run rate is by far the best of all the teams and gives them as added layer of security if the playoff race becomes tight.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 12
Points: 16, NRR: 0.551
Remaining Matches: KKR, CSK
Recent Record: WWWWW
Gujarat face the same scenario as RCB – win their final two games and they are guaranteed a prized top 2 finish. On the flip side, if they lose to KKR and CSK, they would be reliant on other results and NRR.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Played: 12
Points: 14, NRR: 0.331
Remaining matches: CSK, RCB
Recent Record: LWLWW
If Sunrisers win their last two games, they are certain to qualify with 18 points. However, if they win only one more game, they go into the playoff mixer, with at least five teams still in with a chance of finishing on 16 points.
Punjab Kings
Played: 11
Points: 13, NRR: 0.428
Remaining matches: MI, RCB, LSGPBKS
Recent Record: LLLLW
Punjab still have three games to play and could finish on 19 points – enough to seal a spot in the playoffs. They could afford to lose one match – possibly even two – but then the picture becomes trickier. However, they have lost their last four fixtures which is cause for some concern.
Chennai Super Kings
Played: 11
Points: 12, NRR: 0.185
Remaining matches: LSG, SRH, GTCSK
Recent Record: WWWLW
A strong recent run has lifted CSK right back in contention. However, they have little margin for error. If they win only one of their remaining three games, that takes them to 14 log points and they would have to rely on results from teams around them. Win none of their final three and they will have to wait till next year.
Rajasthan Royals
Played: 11
Points: 12, NRR: 0.082
Remaining matches: DC, LSG, MIRR
Recent Record: LLWLW
Can still reach a maximum of 18 points but could still be dependent on NRR, as is the case with other teams who can’t go beyond 18. Win two of their last three matches and they end of 16 points and would need other teams to do them a favour. Form has been very sketchy.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 12
Points: 10, NRR: -0.993
Remaining matches: RR, KKRDC
Recent Record: WLLWL
A negative NRR means the Capitals are really up against it. They must win both remaining matches to reach 14 points and vastly improve their net run rate to stand any chance. Even then, they need several other games to go their way – both in terms of the result and the margin.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 11
Points: 9, NRR: -0.198
Remaining matches: GT, MI, DC
Recent Record: LWWWW
KKR had been on a strong recent run of form but the loss to King Kohli and RCB on Wednesday night was deeply damaging to their playoff hopes. KKR can only reach a maximum of 15 points which would require a number of other results to go their way. Anything less than three wins to finish their campaign and they can watch the playoff action on TV.
ELIMINATED
Lucknow Super Giants
Mumbai Indians
Photo: Amit Dave/Reuters
