With only one week to go for the end of the league stages, three out of the four play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, with Kolkata Knight Riders’ big win over Royal Challengers Bangalore, they are more or less assured of a place in the play-offs provided one or two results go their way.
Kings XI Punjab were in a good position to stake a claim for the play-offs but their loss to Gujarat Lions has dented their chances seriously. For Suresh Raina’s team, this win ensured that Virat Kohli’s RCB would end up with the wooden spoon for the first time.
Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Mumbai Indians in a vital clash on Monday and the result could have huge implications for the teams from second to sixth. After the end of the double-headers, here are the qualifying scenarios for the six teams that are in the fray for the knock-outs
1) Mumbai Indians
P – 11, W – 9, L – 2, Points – 18
Next games: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 8), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 11), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 13)
What they must do: Mumbai Indians are the first team to qualify for the play-offs in IPL 2017. If they win two of their next three games, they are assured of a top two finish which will allow them to play in Qualifier 1.
2) Kolkata Knight Riders
P – 12, W – 8, L – 4, Points – 16
Next games: vs Kings XI Punjab (May 9), vs Mumbai Indians (May 13)
What they must do: Kolkata Knight Riders are almost through to the play-off spot thanks to a good net run-rate. If they beat Kings XI Punjab, their spot will be assured. If they lose both their games, then they must hope Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab do not win their remaining games by a big margin.
3) Rising Pune Supergiant
P – 12, W – 8, L -4, Points – 16
Next games: vs Delhi Daredevils (May 12), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 14)
What they must do: Steve Smith’s team are almost on the verge of qualification but they have a poor net run-rate of -0.06. If they lose both their games, they must hope that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose both their games. If Sunrisers Hyderabad win both their games and Kolkata Knight Riders win one, then their last game against Kings XI Punjab is a potential shoot-out
4) Sunrisers Hyderabad
P – 12, W – 6, L – 5, N/R – 1, Points – 13
Next games: vs Mumbai Indians (May 8), vs Gujarat Lions (May 13)
What they must do: Sunrisers Hyderabad need to win both their games. If they lose both, the defending champions could be eliminated. If they win one game, then they must hope that Kings XI Punjab lose one of their remaining three games.
Kings XI Punjab face a daunting task if they have to qualify for the play-offs following their loss to Gujarat Lions. (AFP)
5) Kings XI Punjab
P – 11, W – 5, L – 6, Points – 10
Next games: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 9), vs Mumbai Indians (May 11), vs Rising Pune Supergiant (May 14)
What they must do: Kings XI Punjab’s loss to Gujarat Lions has meant that all their three games are must-win matches. If they win all their remaining games, they must hope Sunrisers Hyderabad lose one of their games. If the defending IPL champions lose both their games, then Kings XI Punjab need to win only two out of their remaining matches to qualify
6) Delhi Daredevils
P – 11, W – 4, L – 7, Points – 8
Next games: vs Gujarat Lions (May 10), vs Rising Pune Supergiant (May 12), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 14)
What they must do: Delhi Daredevils have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the knock-outs. They must win all their remaining games to stay in contention. If Sunrisers Hyderabad win one out of their next two games, they are knocked out. If David Warner’s team lose both their games, then they must hope Kings XI Punjab win only one out of their remaining games.
Source: HindustanTimes