Popular: ICC rankings | BPL | Ricky Ponting | Kevin Pietersen

Indian Premier League

Why Rajasthan aren't into the semi-finals just yet

With eight wins in ten games, Rajasthan Royals are sitting pretty at the top of the table, but as things stand after 40 games of the IPL, there's still a chance that they won't make the semi-finals

S Rajesh

May 18, 2008

Text size: A | A


Shane Warne has led an outstanding campaign so far for Rajasthan, but they haven't quite made it to the last four © Getty Images
Enlarge
 

With eight wins in ten games, Rajasthan Royals are sitting pretty at the top of the table. In all probability they'll seal a place in the top four, but as things stand after 40 games of the IPL, there's still a chance - however slim - that they won't make the cut. Here's one scenario which explains how they might still miss out on a semi-final slot:

  • Rajasthan have four matches to go, against Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Punjab. If they lose all four, they'll remain on 16 points.

  • Mumbai are the only team to have played only nine games. Their five remaining ones are against Deccan, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Bangalore. Win all, and they leapfrog to the top of the table with 20 points. Even with one loss, they'll be among the top teams with 18 points.

  • Kolkata have four games to go, against Chennai, Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab. Four wins will prop them up to 18 points.

  • Chennai have played ten too, and will face Kolkata, Bangalore, Rajasthan, and Deccan. Lose the first and win the next three, and Chennai will finish with 18 points.

  • Saturday's win against Delhi pushed Punjab to second place with 14 points in ten games. Their remaining games are against Mumbai, Deccan, Kolkata and Rajasthan. If they beat Deccan and Rajasthan, Punjab will join Kolkata and Chennai on 18 points.

    In such a scenario, Mumbai will top the table with 20 points, while Kolkata, Chennai, and Punjab will all be tied on 18. Rajasthan will then slip to a clear fifth place with 16 points, and will be out of the reckoning for a semi-final berth.

    Possible points table according to the results above
    Team Played Won Lost Points
    Mumbai 14 10 4 20
    Kolkata 14 9 5 18
    Chennai 14 9 5 18
    Punjab 14 9 5 18
    Rajasthan 14 8 6 16
    Delhi 14 6 8 12
    Deccan 14 3 11 6
    Bangalore 14 2 12 4

    Even if the results don't go exactly to plan, there are still possibilities of five teams finishing on 16 or more points, with a couple of them tied on 16. In that case, net run rates will come into the picture to break the deadlock. Also, if Rajasthan beat Mumbai but the other results go according to the scenario above, there'll still be five teams tied on 18 points, again bringing the net run rate into play.

    • S Rajesh is stats editor of Cricinfo

    RSS Feeds: S Rajesh

    © ESPN EMEA Ltd.

    TopTop
    Email Feedback Print
    Share
    E-mail
    Feedback
    Print
    S RajeshClose
    S Rajesh Stats editor Every week the Numbers Game takes a look at the story behind the stats, with an original slant on facts and figures. The column is edited by S Rajesh, ESPNcricinfo's stats editor in Bangalore. He did an MBA in marketing, and then worked for a year in advertising, before deciding to chuck it in favour of a job which would combine the pleasures of watching cricket and writing about it. The intense office cricket matches were an added bonus.
    Related Links
    Series/Tournaments: Indian Premier League
    Teams: Rajasthan Royals
    Tournament Results
    Super Kings v Rajasthan at Mumbai - Jun 1, 2008
    Rajasthan won by 3 wickets (with 0 balls remaining)
    Super Kings v Punjab at Mumbai - May 31, 2008
    Super Kings won by 9 wickets (with 31 balls remaining)
    Delhi v Rajasthan at Mumbai - May 30, 2008
    Rajasthan won by 105 runs
    Punjab v Rajasthan at Mohali - May 28, 2008
    Punjab won by 41 runs
    Bangalore v Mumbai at Bangalore - May 28, 2008
    Mumbai won by 9 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)
    More results »
    News | Features
    More News »
    News | Features Last 3 days
    More News »
    News | Features Last 3 days
    • Cricinfo Widgets
    Sponsored Links

    The definitive Cricket Novel of the Century

    Romance, Three 20/20 Matches, Murder Mystery, Book Now.

    Open HSBC NRO Account.

    Access your Indian Rupee earnings from anywhere in the world.

    ICICI Bank Money2India brings " locked exchange rate" and a free gift

    on registering and transfer of USD 250 and above.

    FREE copy of Playfair with Wisden order

    At Cricshop.com