IPL: Why KKR and RCB have better chance of qualifying than the Mumbai Indians

The IPL is approaching its business end. Yet, we are searching for the team No.3 and 4 to qualify for the playoffs. The Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians seem to be very much in the hunt.

The chances of the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI look bleak because of poor net run rate. While the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Chennai Super Kings are already through, Delhi are out of the race.

Let us analyze the cases of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians and ascertain their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

---

Kolkata Knight Riders

The KKR just need to win the game against the Sunrisers to make it through.

The Knights are sitting pretty at No.3 on the points table with 14 points after their victory against the Royals in their last home game. Now, all they have to do is beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the net run rate will not be a worry.

The win against the RR was not just a win but a morale boost. Spinners came to the party and Kuldeep brought about the Royals' batting collapse single-handedly to seal the deal.

About KKR's next game

The Knight Riders face the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on May 19. Just like the Sunrisers, the Knights too boast about a mighty spin-bowling attack with the likes of Kuldeep, Narine, and Chawala. The conditions at Hyderabad are likely to assist the KKR spin-trio.

Also, the Sunrisers have gone off the boil in the last 2 games after a dream run in the early stages of the tournament. Considering this, the KKR could not have asked for anything better going into the last game.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The RCB

have

made a strong comeback in the second half of the tournament.

The men in red have finally stitched some wins on the trot to keep themselves more than alive in the IPL. Their NRR of 0.26 is better than most teams as well. At the moment, they are at No.5 with 12 points on the board.

A win here will make a strong case for them in the playoffs but Mumbai Indians' win in the following game might bring the net run rate into the picture. At the moment, RCB are slightly below the MI in terms of the net run rate. They will have to win handsomely against the RR to up it.

About RCB's next game

The RCB face the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in their last league game of the season. Rajasthan are without Buttler and Ben Stokes which gives RCB a great chance. The wicket at Jaipur is conducive to spinners but the RCB have played on similar surfaces at home already this season. Hence, the conditions should not baffle them. RCB start as favorites against Rajasthan and they will have themselves to blame if they mess it up.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai

are

struggling to click with both bat and ball in the same game.

'Inconsistency' is the word the sums up Mumbai's campaign this season. They have played well in patches but seldom has their batting and bowling clicked in the same game. What seemed to be a long winning streak halfway through the tournament was broken by a couple of shoddy performance against the RCB and RR.

With 12 points and a net run rate of 0.38, the Mumbai Indians currently sit at No.4. With the NRR, not being a problem, Mumbai just need to get one more win under their belt to see them through.

About MI's last game..

Mumbai now face the Delhi Daredevils in their last league game at Feroze Shah Kotla on May 20. Delhi has been a tough nut to crack for the MI away from the home. Since 2012, the Mumbai Indians have beaten the Daredevils in their own backyard only once. Even though Delhi have had a tough campaign, they have looked competitive in their home games.

It will be a big challenge for the Mumbai Indians to not let inconsistency get better off them. Will the MI win their last game and make it through or will the law of averages come into play and help Delhi end their forgettable campaign sweetly?