ANALYSIS
Follow UsAfter more than 50 days of action and 52 games, MI is the only team to confirm a playoff berth. Moreover, the defending champions will finish at the top of the pile irrespective of the result in their last game.
For other teams, they need to find a win in their last game to stand a chance. Here is how the scenario is set-up for the six teams in contention.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Current Points: 14
Remaining Fixture: v DC, Abu Dhabi, Nov 02
After three consecutive defeats, RCB has dropped from being a contender for a top-2 spot to a do or die situation to finish in the top-4. If they manage to win their last game against the Delhi Capitals, they will finish at number 2 as no other team can reach 16 points.
However, given that they suffered a huge defeat at hands of SRH, their Net Run-Rate is now in the negative territory even below KXIP’s. Hence, if they lose their last game, they will not be able to qualify on the basis of NRR.
If they lose their last game, their only hope then will be for either or SRH or KXIP to lose their last game as well. If that happens, the team that loses will finish at 12 points and RCB will qualify.
Also, if they suffer a huge defeat against DC, that can bring the winner of KKR vs RR in the picture as well. By huge defeat, we mean a difference in the range of 100 runs if the opposition scores 200. Or the opposition chasing the target in around 12 overs if RCB are out on a 100 runs.
Delhi Capitals
Current Points: 14
Remaining Fixture: v RCB, Abu Dhabi, Nov 02
The case for DC is a carbon copy of that of the RCB. The only difference is that they go into their game against RCB with a worse form – four losses in a row – and a lower NRR.
But, none of that will matter if they manage to beat RCB. In that case, they will finish at the number-2 spot. If they lose, then they will have to be at mercy of KXIP or SRH just like the case with RCB explained above. Similarly, a huge defeat against RCB can bring KKR or RR in the picture as well.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Current Points: 12
Remaining Fixture: v MI, Sharjah, Nov 3
After a heart-breaking loss against KXIP, SRH came back strong against DC and RCB. Owing to their second-best NRR among all teams, the qualification scenario is the simplest for them.
If they win against MI, they will end at number three on the points table and will qualify for the playoffs. If they lose they are out.
Kings XI Punjab
Current Points: 12
Remaining Fixture: v CSK, Abu Dhabi, Nov 1
KXIP stormed back into the tournament with five consecutive victories. But, the defeat against Rajasthan Royals derailed their campaign a bit.
Now, it is imperative for them to win their game against CSK. Given their NRR being better than RCB and DC as of now, it is improbable that they will lose out on a playoff spot if they win. Hence, they are not dependent on other results.
However, to be certain, they should hope that the winner of KKR vs RR does not win the match by huge margins in the range mentioned above.
Rajasthan Royals
Current Points: 12
Remaining Fixture: v KKR, Dubai, Nov 1
After their empathic victory against MI, Royals pulled off another big victory against KXIP. With these two wins, they are alive in IPL 2020 if they are able to beat KKR in their last match.
However, they are dependent on a lot of other results to ascertain their playoff spot. Owing to their abysmal NRR, their hope of qualification is for both SRH and KXIP to lose their respective games.
If one of these sides win, their only hope then is for DC or RCB to lose their game by a huge margin while they beat KKR comfortably as well.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Current Points: 12
Remaining Fixture: v RR, Dubai, Nov 1
In a stop-start campaign, KKR have now lost more games than they have won. Since their losses have been huge, they find themselves at number seven with an appalling NRR.
Their qualification scenario is identical to RR. The only difference being that since their NRR is even poorer, if both KXIP and SRH do not lose their last games, the margin of defeat for DC or RCB as well as their victory will have to be even bigger.
