Super Kings' path to the playoffs

Chennai Super Kings have made it to the playoffs, with a little help from their friends. Since their 16th and final league game on Thursday, a defeat to Kings XI Punjab, Super Kings’ fate depended on three other results. Here’s what happened to allow Super Kings to make it with 17 points:

Deccan Chargers v Rajasthan Royals, Hyderabad - Chargers won by five wickets
Royals, with 14 points, needed to win both their remaining games to qualify, but limped out of the tournament following a meek batting performance. Super Kings had their first lifeline.

Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils, Dharamsala – Daredevils won by six wickets
Kings XI had 16 points going into their final league game. A win would have taken them past Super Kings. Kings XI couldn’t post a challenging score against the table-toppers and stumbled out. Super Kings had two out of three.

Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hyderabad – Chargers won by nine runs
Super Kings’ campaign looked all but over when Royal Challengers were set to chase a middling 133. Royal Challengers’ batsmen, however, imploded against the fiery Dale Steyn, and Super Kings were through in fourth place, edging out Royal Challengers on net run-rate.