IPL 2019: Playoffs qualification scenarios for all the remaining six teams

The ongoing season of the Indian Premier League is reaching towards the culmination of the league stage matches. The league has seen all teams play at least 12 of their matches and the playoff picture is becoming clearer after every game.

The name and apparel change seems to have worked for the Delhi based franchise as they are currently sitting at the top of the points table with 16 points followed by the ever consistent Chennai Super Kings who also have 16 points. Both these teams have already qualified for the playoffs. Mumbai Indians are 3rd on the table with 14 points. SRH is 4th on the table with 10 points.

The lower half of the points table is quite competitive as KXIP, RR, KKR all are placed with 10 points each followed by RCB who have 8 points.

With only 10 matches left in the group stage of this years IPL, let's take a look at the qualification scenarios of the 6 teams which are going to battle it out for the remaining two spots.

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#1 Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

After their dreadful bowling effort against KKR, Mumbai Indians need to regroup as they still need to win one more game of their remaining two to qualify for the playoffs. In their remaining two encounters MI are set to take on SRH and KKR.

Moreover, victories in both the upcoming matches will not only ensure a playoff spot for MI but may also help them finish in the top two because of their superior net run rate.

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#2 SunRisers Hyderabad

Warner has been exceptional for SRH this season and has scored 7 fifties this season (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

The 2018 runners up are having a tough season this time around as they have just 5 wins from 11 games. SunRisers who are currenlty placed 4th on the points table need to win all of their remaining 3 encounters inorder to directly qualify for the playoffs.

The Hyderabad based franchise could even do with two wins thanks to their net run rate (+0.56) if a couple of other results go in their favour. With Jonny Bairstow having already left and David Warner set to play his last game of the season tomorrow, the road ahead for SRH is tougher than it seems.

#3 Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders have heavily depended on Andre Russell who has single-handedly won games for them. (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

Yesterday, KKR finally ended their six-match losing streak and kept their campaign alive by defeating the Mumbai Indians.

Things have not got any easier for KKR as they still need to win both their remaining fixtures and hope that some other results go in their favor, since they cannot have more than 14 points, in order to qualify for the playoffs.

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#4 Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab is repeating the same story all over again. (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

After winning three of their first four games this season, KXIP have lost their way midway through the season. That also means that KXIP have won only two out of their last six matches.

This is nothing new for KXIP as last season too KXIP failed to qualify even after winning five games out of their first six. To ensure a berth in the playoffs KXIP needs to win at least 2 of their next 3 games and hope that some other results end up in their favor.

KXIP face a stiff challenge ahead as they will take on SRH, KKR, and CSK in their next 3 matches. While finishing and death bowling has been one of the main reasons for their fate, one cannot deny that some questionable captaincy decisions has also played a part for them.

#5 Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

Rajasthan Royals currently are 6th on the points table with 5 wins from 12 matches. Because of their poor net run rate, Royals not only need to win both their remaining encounters but they need to win them by big margins.

Moreover, RR have been heavily affected by the departure of English players like Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer. Even if they somehow manage to win both their games, they will heavily depend on the results of other matches.

Their next two matches are against Royals Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Capitals.

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#6 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com) (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

RCB, after their heart breaking defeat against the Delhi Capitals yesterday have almost been knocked out of the competition. The only scenaio left requires many other results to go in a particular way so that 3 teams end up on 12 points each.

But simply winning their next two games won't do for RCB as they need to win these matches by massive margins to improve their net run rate which is currently the worst in the league(-0.69). Similar to Kings XI Punjab, death bowling, finishing, and bad captaincy moves are the reasons because of which they are currently 8th on the points table.

The slogan "E Sal Cup Namde" does not seems to have worked out again. Maybe RCB too need a new name and new jerseys.