IPL 2018: Qualification scenarios for all eight teams

The 2018 IPL is entering its most important phase as six out the eight teams (one already qualified and one already out) are mathematically still in the fray to make it to the playoffs. A few teams are just a win away from sealing their last-four spot and they will be looking to finish in the top-2 to get another chance even if they lose in the qualifier.

Few teams are on the brink of elimination as one more loss will end their hopes of making it to the playoffs. Apart from the one team that has already qualified, two other teams have all but confirmed their playoff berth and the other four teams in the fray are fighting it out for the remaining playoff spot.

Let us take a look at what each and every team should do to qualify for the playoffs.

Chennai Super Kings

Two-time champions Chennai Super Kings are happily sitting in the second place after getting 14 points from their first 11 games. The MS Dhoni-led side are all but through to the playoffs as one win in their next three matches is enough to seal their place in the last four. They will be Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab with a journey to Delhi to face the Daredevils sandwiched in between.

Points: 14 from 11 games

Remaining matches: SRH (H), DD (A), KXIP (H)

Delhi Daredevils

Related image — Delhi Daredevils batsman Rishabh Pant

With just six points - courtesy of three wins - after their first 11 matches, Delhi Daredevils are already knocked out of the 2018 IPL.

Having played out all their away games, Delhi will be hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in their last four matches and a loss in one of those matches will be the final nail in the coffin for them this season.

Points: 6 from 11 games

Remaining matches: RCB (H), CSK (H), MI (H)

Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab are off to a great start in the 2018 IPL as they have won six out of their nine matches. In spite of their loss to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, the Kings XI Punjab are third in the table with 12 points. They just need to win two out of their next four matches in the IPL to make it to the playoffs without any further concerns. One win will also be enough for them but they might be forced to fight with other teams with the Net Run Rate.

In their remaining matches this season, Kings XI will take on Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

Points: 12 from 10 games

Remaining matches: KKR (H), RCB (H), MI (A), CSK (A)

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders are having a mixed tournament this season as they have won five matches and lost six in their first 11 games. They are currently fifth in the points table with 10 points in as 11 matches and they should win all their three matches to make it to the playoffs without any hiccup. Two wins out of three will also do for them but their NRR is so bad that they cannot rely on it.

They won't have any easy fixtures coming their way as they will be facing Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last four matches.

Points: 10 from 11 games

Remaining matches: KXIP (A), RR (H) SRH (A).

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians have followed their trend of seasons past as they managed to win just one of their first five games before registering four more wins in the next six. With three wins needed from their remaining three matches, it will be very difficult for the Rohit Sharma-led side. Even if they lose one of their next three matches, the can still qualify for the playoffs because their net run-rate is superior to other teams' in spite of their dismal start to the tournament.

They will be facing Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils in their remaining matches this season.

Points: 10 from 11 games

Remaining matches: RR (H), KXIP (H), DD (A)

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals are off to a slow start in the 2018 IPL, losing six out of their 11 matches so far. As of now, they are sixth in the points table with 10 points in 11 matches.

The Royals need to win all their three remaining matches to qualify without any hiccups and at the same time, they cannot afford to lose more than one match as it will signal the end of their tournament. They have to still face Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in their remaining games.

Points: 10 from 11 games

Remaining matches: MI (A), KKR (A), RCB (H)

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore are having yet another forgettable season as they are on the brink of getting knocked out of the tournament. They are seventh in the points table with just six points from their first ten matches. They need to win all their four remaining matches and hope that other results go in their favour and at the same time, their net run rate is better than all their competitors.

They will be facing table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the last leg of the tournament.

Points: 6 from 10 games

Remaining matches: DD (A), KXIP (A), SRH (H), RR (A)

Sunrisers Hyderabad

No one gave Sunrisers Hyderabad a chance to make it to the playoffs ahead of the start of the IPL especially after their actual captain David Warner was banned from playing in the tournament. But, Kane Williamson has led the team well in the absence of Warner and the Orange Army are sitting at the top of the table with 18 points from 11 games. With this, they have already qualified for the playoffs.

They will be facing Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in their remaining league games and will look to finish in the top 2.

Points: 18 from 11 games

Remaining matches: CSK (A), RCB (A), KKR (H)

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