IPL Playoff Scenarios: Seven teams in running for three remaining spots

Indian Premier League (IPL) enters its last week of league stage action and there are three places up for grabs in the playoff race. Only Kolkata Knight Riders are assured of going forward while at the other end, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings are mathematically out of contention .

It means Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are still mathematically alive. Although GT need an absolute miracle to advance .

Rajasthan Royals (16 points, 12 matches, +0.349 NRR)

Remaining matches: vs PBKS (H), vs KKR (H)

RR looked to be the first to clinch playoff a few matches ago. But three straight losses for Sanju Samson & Co. has seen them yet to mathematically qualify. Four teams can still get to RR’s tally of 16 points. But one of them is LSG, whose NRR of -0.769 does not help their chances. It’s unlikely they can overhaul RR’s run rate even if they win both their remaining matches. RR can seal a top-two finish with a win or two.

Chennai Super Kings (14 points, 13 matches, +0.528 NRR)

Remaining match: vs RCB (A)

CSK’s win against RR in the day game on Sunday took them closer to the playoffs but are not certain just yet. If they lose to RCB on Saturday, four teams can still finish ahead of them: KKR, RR, SRH and LSG.

CSK can take heart from their excellent net run rate in case there’s a clash of points. If CSK beat RCB, they can be positive enough of progression. If CSK lose, they have to hope one of LSG or SRH stay below 16 points. Additionally, the margin of defeat shouldn’t be big enough to allow RCB to surge past. If both SRH and LSG finish on 14 or fewer points, then both RCB and CSK can go through.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (14 points, 12 matches, +0.406 NRR

Remaining matches: vs GT (H), vs PBKS (H)

One win in their two remaining matches should ensure qualification for playoffs. Their strong NRR of +0.406 helps their cause compared to LSG. Wins in both and they could even reach the top-two. However, should they lose both, they could miss out with RCB and CSK right behind.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (12 points, 13 matches, +0.387 NRR)

Remaining match: vs CSK (H)

RCB won their fifth in a row against DC on Sunday and have climbed to fifth in the points table as a result. The position they’re in seems unthinkable just three weeks ago when they stumbled to a sixth consecutive loss.

On 12 points after 13 matches played, they can get to 14 points at the most. RCB need to beat CSK in their next outing and hope SRH, LSG don’t reach 16 points.

The RCB vs CSK game could become an eventual knockout with LSG done with their fixtures by then and SRH left with one. It would make things more clearer for the two camps by Saturday.

Delhi Capitals (12 points, 13 matches, -0.482 NRR)

Remaining match: vs LSG (H)

Delhi’s 47-run defeat against CSK has hurt their chances of progressing courtesy of a poor NRR as compared to RCB, CSK and SRH. With one game left, against LSG at home, the best they can get to is 14 points. Their best chance is that they win and hope SRH lose their remaining matches convincingly, CSK beat RCB, LSG pick at most one win and remain behind Delhi on NRR. Even if SRH suffer big defeats, DC will also have to thrash LSG to go past SRH. It looks extremely unlikely for DC to go ahead now.

Lucknow Super Giants (12 points, 12 matches, -0.769 NRR)

Remaining matches: vs DC (A), vs MI (A)

LSG’s poor net run rate is their biggest challenge in the two matches ahead. Even if they beat DC and MI in the two remaining matches, CSK and SRH can upstage them by reaching the same number and with a better NRR. Even if RR lose both of theirs, LSG are unlikely to catch up.

Gujarat Titans (10 points, 12 matches, -1.063 NRR)

Remaining matches: vs KKR (H), vs SRH (A)

GT can get to at most 14 points but given their dreadful NRR of -1.063, their odds are next to none of making the playoffs for a third straight season.