IPL 2019 playoffs scenario: Five teams still in contention of two remaining spots

Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings are the only two teams to qualify for the playoffs. Mumbai Indians missed their chance of sealing their playoff spot by losing to Kolkata Knight Riders. With Dinesh Karthik’s side snapping their six-match losing streak, the team is once again in the race for the playoffs. Apart from these two teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals are in contention for the knockouts. Royal Challengers Bangalore are all but out of contention after losing to Delhi Capitals and only a mathematical miracle can keep them in the race. With two spots still remaining and franchise except for Royal Challengers Bangalore still in contention, the playoffs scenario is one to be looked out for.

Delhi Capitals

Position: 1 (Qualified)

P -12, W – 8, L – 4, Points – 16

Remaining games: vs Chennai Super Kings (May 1), vs Rajasthan Royals (May 4)

What they must do: Delhi Capitals have sealed their spot in the playoffs and a win in one of their remaining games will seal them a top-two spot in the points table and give them two chances of reaching the final.

Chennai Super Kings

Position: 2 (Qualified)

P – 12, W – 8, L – 4, Points - 16

Remaining games: vs Delhi Capitals (May 1), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 5)

What they must do: MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the playoffs for the 10th time in their 10 editions and a win in their remaining games will seal a top-two spot.

Mumbai Indians

Position: 3

P – 12, W- 7, L-5, Points: 14

Remaining games: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 2), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 5)

What they must do: Mumbai Indians missed out on a chance to seal their playoff chances by losing to Kolkata Knight Riders. However, a win in one of the games will seal their playoff spot. A loss in their remaining games and a win for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals by big margins could see them get eliminated.

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Sunrisers Hyderabad

Position: 4

P -12, W – 6, L – 6, Points: 10

Remaining games: vs Mumbai Indians (May 2), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 4)

What they must do: Sunrisers Hyderabad needs to win their next two games and they will automatically occupy one of the four spots in the playoffs. As of now, they are not dependent on any team, and fate is well within their reach.

Rajasthan Royals

Position: 5

P – 13, W – 5, L – 7, Points: 11

Remaining games: vs Delhi Capitals (May 4)

What they must do: By winning a point in their last game, Rajasthan’s hopes of entering the playoffs are in the hands of other teams. Royals can most get to 13 points. With run-rate not on their side, and Sunrisers and Kolkata have two games to play, their chances look slim.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Position: 6

P – 12, W – 5, L – 7, Points: 10

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

What they must do: Kolkata Knight Riders snapped their six-match losing streak with a win against Mumbai Indians. They will have to win their remaining games to seal an outright spot. If they lose one, they will have to hope either of Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals do not win more than one game.

Kings XI Punjab

Position: 7

P – 12, W – 5, L – 7, Points: 10

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

What they must do:  Though the fate isn’t in their hand, but they can still occupy the playoffs berth if they can upstage Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. However, they will have to wait for other results, and would be hoping that other results go in their favour.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Position: 8

P – 13, W – 4, L – 8, Points: 9

Remaining games: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 4)

What they must do: Royal Challengers Bangalore has become the first team to get knocked out of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bengaluru stadium witnessed a rain curtailed game with two sides (Bangalore and Rajasthan) playing 5 over each. However, as the game reached the penultimate moment, the rain gods came back as two sides shared a point each. Royal Challengers is left with one game and will look to play for pride.