IPL 2019 playoffs scenario: Sunrisers Hyderabad has edge over others for fourth spot

Delhi Capitals have joined Chennai Super Kings in the playoffs for IPL 2019. With two spots sealed, the focus shifts to the remaining two spots and five teams are in the fray. 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. Here is what the remaining teams need to do to seal a playoff spot.

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.

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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.

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.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Position: 5

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: 6

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.

Rajasthan Royals

Position: 7

P – 12, W – 5, L – 7, Points: 10

Remaining games: 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 Sunrisers Hyderabad. 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 – 12, W – 4, L – 8, Points: 8

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

What they must do: A loss against Delhi Capitals has all but eliminated them from the tournament. However, they are still in it mathematically. They will be hoping that the game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab is washed out and that they lose their remaining games. They will also be hoping Rajasthan Royals lose both their games. Royal Challengers Bangalore will then be hoping to win their remaining games by a massive margin to boost their net run-rate.