IPL 2018: Qualification scenarios for all 5 teams in contention for playoffs

The 2018 IPL has reached its business end as the race for the top-4 has become very exciting. Sunrisers Hyderabad, with 18 points, and Chennai Super Kings, with 16 points, have already qualified for the playoffs and Delhi Daredevils are already out of contention for the top-4.

Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, with 12 points each, and Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, with 10 points each are still in contention for a place in the playoffs. With some of the teams in contention taking on each other in the coming days, the race for the top-4 will be very interesting.

You can find the IPL points table here. Let us take a look at the possible scenarios for all these five teams and what should happen for them to qualify for the playoffs.

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Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab

After their first matches, Kings XI Punjab were the favourites not only to qualify but also to finish in the top-2. They got a one-week break and that completely changed their momentum as they managed to win just one of their next six matches putting their qualification in jeopardy.

Scenario 1: They will qualify in spite of their NRR if they win both their matches as they will be having 16 points. Among the teams in contention, either KKR or RR can get a maximum of 16 while the other two teams cannot go beyond 14 points.

Scenario 2: If they lose one game, they will be looking to win the other one by a huge margin as their NRR is the least among the five teams in contention.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders

The Knight Riders from Kolkata have been going through a mixed season as they have won six and lost equal matches this season. Kolkata's next league match against Rajasthan Royals is literally a knockout game as a win will all but seal KKR's place in the playoffs. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore losing one of their last two matches will do a lot of good for Kolkata.

Scenario 1: If they win both their matches, they will qualify with 16 points. The only other team that can get to 16 from the mid-table battle is Kings XI.

Scenario 2: If they lose to Rajasthan, they will have to hope that both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, teams that have a superior NRR to KKR, along with Kings XI Punjab, lose at least one of their matches so that it becomes easier for KKR to qualify.

This will also hurt Kolkata badly because a loss against Royals will further deteriorate their NRR and improve RR's NRR. If this is the case, they will have to win their last match against SRH by a huge margin.

Scenario 3: If they beat Rajasthan, they need to reach a particular point in their last league game against SRH to get their NRR above the other contenders and can still qualify even if they lose.

At the same time, they will be hoping that both MI and RCB will lose one of their two games to make things easier for them as it needs a monumental effort for KKR to overtake the NRR of both the teams.

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals

Just like Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals have 12 points in 12 games and win against KKR later today will make things easier for them. They will also hope that both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore lose one of their last two matches to help their cause.

Scenario 1: If they win both their matches, they will qualify with 16 points. The only other team that can get to 16 from the mid-table battle is Kings XI.

Scenario 2: If they lose to Kolkata, they will have to hope that both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, teams that have a superior NRR to them, along with Kings XI Punjab, lose at least one of their matches so that it becomes easier for RR to qualify.

This will also hurt Rajasthan badly because a loss against KKR will further deteriorate their NRR, which is already worse than KKR's and at the same time, it will improve KKR's NRR. If this is the case, they will have to win their last match against RCB by a huge margin.

Scenario 3: If they beat Kolkata, they need to reach a particular point in their last league game against RCB to get their NRR above the other contenders and can still qualify even if they lose.

At the same time, they will be hoping that both MI and RCB will lose one of their two games to make things easier for them as it needs a monumental effort for them to overtake the NRR of both the teams.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians

Defending champions Mumbai Indians, in spite of their slow start to the tournament, are in contention for a place in the playoff. In simple words, they need to win their last two games and need to win their next two games to qualify for the playoffs.

Even if they lose one of their next two games or a match is washed out due to rain, they are knocked out of the tournament.

Two wins in two matches should all but seal their spot in the playoffs as they will be having 14 points in 14 games and a superior NRR among all the contenders. It is unlikely that Mumbai's NRR, which is the best among all the eight teams, will be overtaken by any other team in the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Out of nowhere, Royal Challengers Bangalore are back in contention for a place in the playoff. The won their last two games and need to win their next two games to qualify for the playoffs. Even if they lose one of their next two games or a match is washed out due to rain, they are knocked out of the tournament.

Two wins in two matches should all but seal their spot in the playoffs as they will be having 14 points in 14 games. Kolkata Knight Riders losing to Rajasthan Royals will make things a lot easier for RCB as RCB will be facing Rajasthan in a virtual quarter-final on Sunday.

The result of MI vs KXIP match will also help RCB as the losing team will have less chance of qualifying for the playoffs. If Mumbai lose, they will be knocked out and if KXIP lose, RCB will have have the upper hand against the R Ashwin-led team, thanks to the NRR.

Note: RCB and MI can even qualify for the playoffs if they lose one of their remaining two matches. In that case, one of KKR, RR and KXIP would have to win both their remaining matches while the other two will have to lose both.

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