OPINION
Follow UsAfter Match 57, the Gujarat Titans became the first team to seal their place in the playoffs of the Indian Premier League after registering a comprehensive win against the Lucknow Super Giants in Pune.
Now Delhi have managed to keep their campaign alive with a win against Rajasthan on Wednesday, May 11th.
With three spots up for grabs, we take a look at the position of the teams in the points table and the way ahead for them in the competition.
We have not considered the Net Run Rate (NRR) and will only analyse how the results of each of their encounter can affect their fortunes in the tournament.
Gujarat Titans
Matches - 12 | Wins - 9 | Losses - 3 | Points - 18 | Qualification probability - Qualified
The Titans have 18 points and will lock horns against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last two league matches.
If they can get over the line in one of their two remaining fixtures, it will guarantee them a spot in the top two, giving them two opportunities to reach the final.
Lucknow Super Giants
Matches - 12 | Wins - 8 | Losses - 4 | Points - 16 | Qualification probability - 99%
Despite a 62-run defeat against the Gujarat Titans in their last encounter, Lucknow Super Giants are placed second on the points table with 16 points.
The Super Giants will face the Royals and the Knight Riders in their last two fixtures and need to win one of the two games to seal their place in the playoffs.
Rajasthan Royals
Matches - 12 | Wins - 7 | Losses - 5 | Points - 14 | Qualification probability - 90%
Rajasthan Royals’ campaign has had a hiccup after they have suffered their third defeat in the last four matches. The Sanju Samson-led side is third on the table with 14 points and seven wins in 12 league matches.
With the race for the playoffs heating up, the Royals need one win in two matches to get to 16 points and secure their place in the final four. The Royals also have a positive NRR, and if they can win both their games, it can help them get into the top two.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Matches - 12 | Wins - 7 | Losses - 5 | Points - 14 | Qualification probability - 61%
The Royal Challengers Bangalore are currently placed fourth in the points table and are one of the favourites to secure their place in the playoffs.
The Challengers will set foot at their next game against Punjab Kings, riding high on confidence after their emphatic 67-run win against the Orange Army in their last game.
The Men in Red need to win one of their next two games to reach 16 points and qualify for the playoffs. However, if they can achieve wins in both their fixtures, it will power them to 18 points, which will help them potentially break into the top two.
Delhi Capitals
Matches - 12 | Wins - 6 | Losses - 6 | Points - 12 | Qualification probability - 33%
In their must-win encounter against Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals produced a clinical performance to register their sixth win in the competition.
The Capitals ought to win both their next games against Punjab Kings which will be a do or die game for both sides.
Delhi’s last match is against Mumbai Indians which they will have to win to reach 16 points. Currently, they have a positive NRR, and it will only improve with victories.
Punjab Kings
Matches - 11 | Wins - 5 | Losses - 6 | Points - 10 | Qualification probability - 8%
The fortunes of the Punjab Kings are entirely in their hands, and are currently eighth in the points table with 10 points. The Punjab outfit have five wins in 11 matches and will need to win all their three fixtures to reach 16 points.
However, they have a negative NRR, and only victories will not help them, but they will need to work on improving their NRR in the three remaining games.
Punjab’s last three games are against Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad all of whom are must-win for their opposition. This will mean that Punjab will not get anything lying around.
Apart from their game against Delhi Capitals at the DY Patil, a venue which has been on a slower side through the tournament, Punjab Kings can take advantage of playing at the Brabourne and the Wankhede in their two games, which will be conducive for strokeplay.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Matches - 11 | Wins - 5 | Losses - 6 | Points - 10 | Qualification probability - 7%
Sunrisers Hyderabad are struggling to find form in the second half of the tournament and have lost their last four league matches.
The Kane Williamson-led side needs to win all their three games to reach 16 points and stand a chance of qualifying for the playoffs. However, with many teams in contention to finish on 16, the NRR will play a crucial role in deciding the fortunes of the side.
While they have to register three wins to reach 16 points, if they can do that in a comprehensive fashion, it will boost their NRR and help them in good stead for the final four.
However, they face the Knight Riders in their next game at Pune, a venue that has been on the sluggish side through the competition. If they cannot go all guns blazing against the Knights, their remaining two fixtures at the Wankhede stadium will allow them to take the attack to the opposition and improve their NRR.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Matches - 12 | Wins - 5 | Losses - 7 | Points - 10 | Qualification probability - 0%
The two-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, are virtually knocked out of the competition after only five wins in 12 league matches. The boys in Purple and Gold have two fixtures remaining, and if they can win in both their clashes, the maximum they can reach is 14 points.
While 14 points are not enough to qualify for the playoffs, the Knights can still make it to the final four if they can record wins by a massive margin and also hope for the other results to go in their favour.
Chennai Super Kings
Matches - 11 | Wins - 4 | Losses - 7 | Points - 8 | Qualification probability - 0%
The chances of the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings making it to the final four are very bleak. After a mid-season captaincy change, MS Dhoni and his Yellow Army need to all their three remaining games to reach 14 points.
Despite the points, for Chennai to qualify, they will need the results of other games to go in their favour.
Mumbai Indians
Matches - 11 | Wins - 2 | Losses - 9 | Points - 4 | Qualification probability - 0%
The five-time champions were the first team to officially be knocked out of the competition after losing nine out of their 11 games.
Mumbai Indians have three more games remaining, and wins in all their encounters will only get them to 10 points.
The Rohit Sharma-led side can look to end the tournament on a high and salvage some pride in what has been a disappointing campaign.
