IPL playoff scenarios: Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on a knife edge

Kolkata Knight Riders’ seven-wicket win against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali has once again intensified the race for the fourth spot in the IPL 2019 playoffs. Kings XI Punjab was boosted by a solid knock from Nicholas Pooran who smashed 48 but Sam Curran gave the hosts a brilliant total with a brilliant 55 off 24 balls as they reached 183/6. In response, Kolkata Knight Riders were boosted by Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill at the top. Their 62-run opening stand, combined with Shubman’s amazing 65 off 49 balls helped Kolkata Knight Riders win by seven wickets and boost their chances in the race for the playoffs.

With this loss, Kings XI Punjab’s chances are all but out. Mathematically, they are still in the playoff scenario but they will have to hope for plenty of results to go their way. Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals all have their fate in their own hands partly and will have to rely on other results going their way in order to seal a spot. Here is what each team has to do in order to seal the fourth and final playoff spot.

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Sunrisers Hyderabad

Position: 4

P -13, W – 6, L – 7, Points: 12

Remaining games: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 4)

What they must do: With Kolkata Knight Riders winning against Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad must win their game against Royal Challengers Bangalore. If they beat Virat Kohli's team and Kolkata Knight Riders lose to Mumbai Indians, then they will automatically qualify for the fourth spot. However, if they lose and if the match is washed out, then they will have to hope Mumbai Indians beat Kolkata Knight Riders. If both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders lose their last games, they will have to hope Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Position: 5

P – 13, W – 6, L – 7, Points: 12

Remaining games: vs Mumbai Indians (May 5)

What they must do: Kolkata Knight Riders' victory against Kings XI Punjab has put them back in the mix for the fourth spot. However, they must win against Mumbai Indians and hope Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Sunrisers Hyderabad. If Sunrisers Hyderabad wins, then they must beat Mumbai Indians by a massive margin as Sunrisers Hyderabad have a great net run-rate. If Sunrisers Hyderabad loses to Royal Challengers Bangalore and if Kolkata Knight Riders also taste defeat to Mumbai Indians, then Sunrisers Hyderabad goes through, provided Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals.

Rajasthan Royals

Position: 6

P – 13, W – 5, L – 7, Points: 11

Remaining games: vs Delhi Capitals (May 4)

What they must do: With Kolkata Knight Riders winning, Rajasthan Royals must win against Delhi Capitals. A loss will see them getting eliminated. If they win against Delhi Capitals, they will have to hope Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians defeat Kolkata Knight Riders in the last league games in order to qualify.

Kings XI Punjab

Position: 7

P – 13, W – 5, L – 8, Points: 10

Remaining games: vs Chennai Super Kings (May 5)

What they must do:  With their defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab are all but knocked out. Their poor net run-rate and combined with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders' high NRR has given them a mathematical chance of qualifying. If Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad are thrashed by a massive margin and they defeat Chennai Super Kings by a big margin, then they can still harbour dreams of qualifying.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Rajasthan Royals will get knocked out if they lose to Delhi Capitals.
• Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders need to win their last games.
• Sunrisers Hyderabad has the best net run-rate in the 2019 IPL.