With IPL 2019 set to enter into its sixth week in a couple of days, the race to playoffs is expected to heat up like never before. All eight franchises – Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore have a realistic chance of making it to the playoffs by finishing in the top four of the IPL points table. With 12 matches and 9 days of action to go, here is what the eight teams of IPL need to do to ensure play-off qualifications.
Chennai Super Kings (16 points in 12 matches, at No. 1)
Despite losing their last match against Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings are firm favourites for a spot in the playoffs. In fact, their main aim would be to maintain their top spot to get two shots at reaching the IPL final. If they manage to beat DC in their next encounter then that should more or less guarantee them a top two finish.
Mumbai Indians (14 points in 11 matches, at No.2)
The Mumbai Indians rose to No. 2 in the IPL points table after beating CSK by 46 runs at Chennai last night. With three matches still to go and a healthy Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.537, MI have a solid chance to finish in the top 2 after the league stages. They have two matches against KKR and 1 against SRH.
Delhi Capitals (14 points in 11 matches at No.3)
Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were still playing IPL the last time Delhi Capitals made it to the playoffs and of course they were known as Delhi Daredevils. The tables may finally turn this season though. The Delhi Capitals need to win just one of their three remaining matches – against RCB, CSK and RR – to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (10 points in 10 matches at No.4)
With an NRR of 0.654 – the best in the tournament so far – and a match more than any other franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have a good chance of making it to the playoffs even if they lose two out of their next four matches. But to be absolutely certain, SRH would want to win three of them. They would be keen to win against RR and KXIP as after that David Warner and Shakib Al Hasan will leave for national duties.
Kings XI Punjab (10 points in 11 matches, at No. 5)
It might turn out to be a shootout between KXIP and SRH for a spot in the playoffs. To ensure their poor NRR of -0.117 doesn’t come into play, Kings XI would want to win all three of their remaining matches. That is easier said than done as they will face SRH, KKR and CSK in the coming week.
Kolkata Knight Riders (8 points in 11 matches, at No.6)
Going through their worst phase – having suffered their sixth straight loss in the season – after IPL 2009, two-time champions KKR have no option but to win all their remaining matches to stand a chance to make it to the playoffs. The fact that might go in KKR’s favour is their NRR of -0.050, which is the best among the last four teams in the IPL standings.
Rajasthan Royals (8 points in 11 matches, at No.7)
Rajasthan Royals will have to depend on the results of the other matches even if they manage to win their remaining three encounters. Because of their poor NRR, they would need the table toppers CSK, MI and DC to beat their respective opponents after winning their matches against SRH, RCB and DC.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (8 points in 11 matches, at No.8)
With a hat-trick of wins behind their back, RCB are enjoying their best phase in IPL 2019. But despite that, they have the least chances of finishing in the top four. Not only do they have the worst NRR (-.683) in the tournament, they will face DC, SRH, and RR in their last matches of the season and a win in each of those encounters may still not guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.