As the 2017 Indian Premier League enters its final fortnight, only one team, Mumbai Indians, has secured a place in the playoffs. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Lions have already been eliminated. The remaining five teams are in with a chance of making the top four. Here are the various permutations*.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
P – 12, W – 6, L – 5, Pts – 13, NRR - +0.541
Matches remaining - 2
Defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) need to win both their remaining games to be guaranteed a place in the playoffs. SRH have a home game against against table-leaders Mumbai Indians on Monday, followed by an away match against Gujarat Lions. However, finishing in the top two looks tough for SRH as the maximum points they can finish with is 17. If SRH wins only one of their next two games, then they would have to count on Kings XI Punjab losing at least one of their remaining three games, to pave the way for qualification. Kings XI’s defeat on Sunday to Lions has given SRH a chance.
Kings XI Punjab
P – 11, W – 5, L – 6, Pts – 10, NRR - +0.242
Matches remaining - 3
After two comprehensive wins, Kings XI messed things up for themselves by failing to defend 189 against Lions on Sunday. A win would have made their path to the playoffs easier, but the defeat has opened up the fight for the third and fourth spots. The maximum points Kings XI can get is 16. Kings XI will be keeping a close watch on SRH’s fortunes. If SRH lose both their games, then Kings XI would have to win at least two of their three remaining games to beat SRH on points (14). If SRH win only one of their two remaining games, then Kings XI would have to win all three games to finish with 16 and go ahead of SRH. Kings XI would still have to win all three games in the unlikely event of SRH’s remaining games being abandoned. When a match is abandoned, the two teams get a point each.
Rising Pune Supergiant
P – 12, W – 8, L – 4, Pts – 16, NRR - -0.060
Matches remaining - 2
Rising Pune Supergiant are currently third and look well placed to make the playoffs. They are tied with Kolkata Knight Riders on points (16), but are at No. 3 due to an inferior negative net run rate. One win from their two remaining games will assure them of a place in the playoffs. Their chances will get brighter if SRH lose to Mumbai on Monday. RPS’s remaining games are against Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI. If RPS lose both games, then there is the possibility of them being tied on 16 points with Kings XI, if the latter wins all three remaining games.
Kolkata Knight Riders
P – 12, W – 8, L – 4, Pts – 16, NRR - +0.858
Matches remaining - 2
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are currently tied with RPS on points but in second place thanks to a superior net run rate, after crushing Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday. KKR’s remaining games are against Kings XI and Mumbai. KKR, like RPS, are in a very good position to make the playoffs. One win from their two remaining games will assure them of a place there. If they lose both, then they will finish on 16 points. It could come down to a net run rate scenario between three teams locked on the same number of points, the other two being RPS and Kings XI. KKR would also be following SRH’s match against Mumbai with interest.
Delhi Daredevils
P – 11, W – 4, L – 7, Pts – 8, NRR - -0.660
Matches remaining – 3
Strange, but true. Delhi Daredevils (DD), languishing at seventh place, have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs. It’s imperative that they win all three remaining games first and then keep an eye on other results. Two of DD’s matches are against teams that have already been eliminated. They would also hope SRH lose both their remaining games, which would put DD ahead of SRH. If SRH beat Mumbai on Monday, it’s curtains for DD.
* - This piece was published before the Su8nrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians match on Monday.
Key: P - Played, W - Won, L - Lost, Pts - Points, NRR - Net Run Rate
