Before the final leg of IPL-15 league stage, IANS takes a look at the scenarios each side needs to go through to qualify for a playoff spot.
Race for Top 2 finish
Lucknow and Gujarat are fighting for finishing at the top of the points table. Lucknow have 16 points from 11 games (and they need just one win to seal a Top 4 berth. If LSG win two of their remaining three games then they will be assured of a finish in the Top 2.
Their Net Run Rate (+0.703) is the best among all 10 teams at this stage and even if they are tied on points with other sides, Lucknow have the best chance of finishing on top. Gujarat also need one more win to assure themselves of a finish in the Top 4.
Mid-table muddle
Rajasthan Royals (14 points) need one more win to keep them in the Top 4. They can also finish in the Top 2 if they win all three remaining games and GT win not more than two.
Royal Challengers Bangalore could seal a Top 4 spot if they win their last two games. However, if they lose one, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings all have a chance to equal RCB on 16 points.
And if RCB lose both their remaining games, they could also fail to qualify for playoffs as both DC and SRH have a better NRR than them. One more loss for DC could also be the end of the season for them. Meanwhile, if RCB and DC lose one match each, SRH will need to win all matches to make the cut. Punjab Kings will only be in contention if RCB lose one game.
Tough for KKR, CSK
A lot of things will have to be in Kolkata Knight Riders’ favour if they want to make the cut and get 14 points. KKR have to win all games by big margins, RCB have to lose all games, and CSK, DC, SRH, PBKS have to lose at least one game each.
Chennai Super Kings’ chances too depend on a lot of other results going their way and winning their remaining three games. Mumbai Indians are already out of
contention.
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