Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have all secured qualification.
That leaves the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (SCK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) fighting for the last remaining berth in the top four.
Here we take a look at the standings and what each team needs in the race for the top two as well as the final qualifying spot:
RACE FOR THE TOP
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Played: 13
Points: 18, Net Run Rate: 1.065
Remaining match: Versus SRH on Friday 22 May
Recent Record: WWWLL
Virtually guaranteed a place in the top two which will see them secure a place in Qualifier 1, with the prospect of going straight through to the grand final.
Gujarat Titans
Played: 13
Points: 16, NRR: 0.400
Remaining Matches: CSK on Thursday 21 May
Recent Record: LWWWW
Gujarat are in a neck-and-neck race with SRH to secure a top two finish. The two teams are level on points and a net run-rate difference of only 0.05 and all to play for. Gujarat play on Thursday so have the opportunity to put pressure on Sunrisers who only play on Friday. However, this means SRH will know what is required ahead of their match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Played: 13
Points: 16, NRR: 0.350
Remaining matches: RCB on Friday 22 May
Recent Record: WLWLW
An indifferent recent record and their final game is against the table-topping RCB. If both GT and SRH win, it will come down to NRR for a place in Qualifier 1 and Sunrisers have some catching up to do.
TOP FOUR RACE
Rajasthan Royals
Played: 13
Points: 14, NRR: 0.083
Remaining matches: Mumbai Indians on Sunday 24 May
Recent Record: WLLLW
Have just managed to get their noses in front of the chasing pack in the race for the final knockout qualifying spot. Need to do the business against the already-eliminated Mumbai Indians on Sunday to be assured of a spot in the playoffs.
Punjab Kings
Played: 13
Points: 13, NRR: 0.227
Remaining matches: LSG on Saturday 23 May
Recent Record: LLLLL
The form team in the IPL, but for all the wrong reasons. Six consecutive losses have seen Punjab plummet from first place and they are now in serious danger of missing out on the playoffs altogether. PBKS have to beat Lucknow and hope Rajasthan stumble. Punjab’s NRR has also taken a massive hit amid their recent loss of form.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Played: 13
Points: 13, NRR: 0.011
Remaining matches: Delhi Capitals on Sunday 24 May
Recent Record: WWLWW
A strong recent run of form has seen KKR surge up the table and turn a negative NRR into a positive. They can reach a maximum of 15 points and qualify but only if Punjab and Rajasthan fail to garner maximum points.
Chennai Super Kings
Played: 13
Points: 12, NRR: -0.016
Remaining matches: Gujarat Titans on Thursday 21 May
Recent Record: LLWWW
Damaging defeats to Sunrisers and Lucknow in their last two matches have left CSK’s playoff chances hanging by the thinnest of threads. They need to beat GT and hope all of RR, PBKS and KKR don’t pick up any points. Even then, their negative run rate counts heavily against them.
Delhi Capitals
Played: 13
Points: 12, NRR: -0.871
Remaining matches: Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday 24 May
Recent Record: WWLLW
The Capitals have made a late charge for the playoffs but likely all too little too late. They need all of the teams above them to drop points and even then, their negative NRR counts heavily against them. A mathematical possibility is all it is.
ELIMINATED
Lucknow Super Giants
Mumbai Indians
Photo: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters
