IPL 2019 playoff scenarios: Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians hold key to other team's prospects

Rajasthan Royals’ three-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders has once again thrown open the race for the playoff spots. Barring Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, all the teams have played 11 games and in the penultimate week, all the sides have still got a chance to make it to the playoffs. The clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram stadium will be massive and all the teams will be watching it very closely. Apart from this match, the upcoming game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab at Uppal will also be the key to determine the top four spots. Here is what each team must do in order to seal a spot in the playoffs.

Chennai Super Kings

Position: 1

P – 11, W – 8, L – 3, Points - 16

Remaining games:  vs Mumbai Indians (April 26), vs Delhi Capitals (May 1), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 5)

What they must do: A win in either of their two games will seal a top-two finish. However, if they lose their remaining games and Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and either of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab win three out of their four games by big margins, MS Dhoni’s side can still get eliminated.

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Delhi Capitals

Position: 2

P -11, W – 7, L – 4, Points – 14

Remaining games: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 28), vs Chennai Super Kings (May 1), vs Rajasthan Royals (May 4)

What they must do: A win in two out of their next three games will seal their spot in the knockout stages while even one win could be enough but they will have to hope other results go their way. If Delhi Capitals lose their remaining games and Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad win their remaining games, then they can be eliminated.

Mumbai Indians

Position: 3

P – 10, W- 6, L-4, Points: 12

Remaining games: vs Chennai Super Kings (April 26), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (April 28), vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 2), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 5)

What they must do: With Rajasthan Royals’ win over Kolkata Knight Riders, Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians can change the entire scenario in their clash against Chennai Super Kings. If Mumbai Indians win, then it puts a huge dent on Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals’ chances of reaching the playoffs. The bottom-ranked teams will be hoping Chennai Super Kings win against Mumbai Indians to keep the playoff race open.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Position: 4

P -10, W – 5, L – 5, Points: 10

Remaining games: vs Rajasthan Royals (April 27), vs Kings XI Punjab (April 29), vs Mumbai Indians (May 2), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 4)

What they must do: If Sunrisers Hyderabad wins against Rajasthan Royals, they eliminate Steve Smith’s side from the tournament. They must win three out of four encounters in order to stay in contention. If they lose more than one game, their chances of reaching the last four will take a big hit.

Kings XI Punjab

Position: 5

P – 11, W – 5, L – 6, Points: 10

Remaining games: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 29), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 3), vs Chennai Super Kings (May 5)

What they must do:  Their next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad is vital. A loss will dent their prospects in a big way. They have to win all their three games. A loss in one game could mean that Kings XI Punjab will have to rely on other results, notably Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians losing more than two games each.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Position: 6

P – 11, W – 4, L – 7, Points: 8

Remaining games: vs Mumbai Indians (April 29), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 3), vs Mumbai Indians (May 5)

What they must do: With their sixth straight loss, Kolkata Knight Riders are in a do-or-die situation. A loss against Mumbai Indians will eliminate them and they will be hoping to snap their losing streak. However, their poor record against Mumbai Indians makes their task even harder.

Rajasthan Royals

Position: 7

P – 11, W – 4, L – 7, Points: 8

Remaining games: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 27), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 30), vs Delhi Capitals (May 4)

What they must do: Rajasthan Royals have kept their playoff hopes alive with a win against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, they will be hoping Royal Challengers Bangalore and either of Kings XI Punjab or Sunrisers Hyderabad lose their remaining games in order to seal a spot in the top four.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Position: 8

P – 11, W – 4, L – 7, Points: 8

Remaining games: vs Delhi Capitals (April 28), vs Rajasthan Royals (April 30), vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 4)

What they must do: A loss in either game and they will be eliminated from the playoffs. If they win all their remaining games, they will have to hope Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders lose their remaining games.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chennai Super Kings have 16 points.
• Rajasthan Royals are still in the hunt for the playoffs with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
• Kolkata Knight Riders have lost six consecutive games.