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With just two days left, the 2018 IPL has reached its business end as the race for the top-4 has become very exciting. Table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings with 18 and 16 points respectively have already qualified for the playoffs and Delhi Daredevils are already out of contention for the top-4.
Kolkata Knight Riders, with 14 points and Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, with 12 points each, are still in contention for a place in the playoffs. With the teams playing their last league games on the last two 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.
Kings XI Punjab
After their first six matches, Kings XI Punjab were the favourites not only to qualify but also to finish in the top-2 as they had won five of those matches. They got a one-week break and that completely changed their fortunes as they managed to win just one out of their next seven matches and have put their qualification in jeopardy. Their qualification is not in their hands as they need some favours from other teams as well.
The results that will put Kings XI Punjab in the playoffs:
RR vs RCB - Narrow win for Rajasthan Royals
SRH vs KKR - A win for Sunrisers Hyderabad
DD vs MI - A win for Delhi Daredevils
CSK vs KXIP - A massive win for Kings XI Punjab
Kolkata Knight Riders
The Kolkata Knight Riders are the favourites to go through as they have won seven out of the 13 games they played this season and are third in the table with 14 points. They will be taking on the table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last match of the season.
The results that will put Kolkata Knight Riders in the playoffs:
RR vs RCB - A win for Rajasthan Royals
SRH vs KKR - A win for Kolkata Knight Riders
DD vs MI - A win for Delhi Daredevils
CSK vs KXIP - A win for Chennai Super Kings
Rajasthan Royals
After their loss against Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals' chances of making it to the playoffs have taken a hit as they have 12 points in 13 games and they depend on the results of other results to earn their qualifications. They will take on their fellow playoff challengers Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last league game.
The results that will put Rajasthan Royals in the playoffs:
RR vs RCB - A big win for Rajasthan Royals
SRH vs KKR - A big win for Sunrisers Hyderabad
DD vs MI - A win for Delhi Daredevils
CSK vs KXIP - A win for Chennai Super Kings
Mumbai Indians
Defending champions Mumbai Indians, in spite of their slow start to the tournament, are in contention for a place in the playoff. They have a superior NRR when compared to all their contenders. They will take on Delhi Daredevils in their last league game of the season.
The results that will put Mumbai Indians in the playoffs:
RR vs RCB - A narrow win for Rajasthan Royals
SRH vs KKR - A win for Sunrisers Hyderabad
DD vs MI - A win for Mumbai Indians
CSK vs KXIP - A win for Chennai Super Kings
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Out of nowhere, Royal Challengers Bangalore are back in contention for a place in the playoff. The won their last three games and need to win their next game to qualify for the playoffs. Even if they win their next game, they are not assured of a place in the knockouts
They will be facing Rajasthan Royals in a virtual quarter-final on Sunday.
The results that will put Royal Challengers Bangalore in the playoffs:
RR vs RCB - A win for Royal Challengers Bangalore
SRH vs KKR - A win for Sunrisers Hyderabad
DD vs MI - A win for Delhi Daredevils
CSK vs KXIP - A win for Chennai Super Kings
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