Super Kings cruising, Royals struggling
As the 2015 IPL playoffs beckon, ESPNcricinfo takes a looks at what each team needs to do in order to make the final four
Bishen Jeswant
14-May-2015
*This article is only relevant as on 14 May 2015, prior to the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians
With only six games left in the league stage of IPL 2015, there are still six teams who can finish in the top four, and thereby win themselves a playoff spot. The two teams out are Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils. Despite their convincing win against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI have already assured themselves of the wooden spoon even if they win their last league match against Chennai Super Kings, currently the league leaders and the only team to have guaranteed themselves of a playoff spot.
Chennai Super Kings (16 points, to play an away game v Kings XI)
Royal Challengers' loss to Kings XI has ensured that Super Kings cannot finish outside the top four. Though Rajasthan Royals can achieve 16 points (equal with Super Kings), they can only have seven wins (because they were part of two washed-out matches)* which means that they cannot leapfrog Super Kings. The other four teams could have pushed Super Kings to fifth spot, but since they play three matches amongst themselves - Sunrisers Hyderabad face Royal Challengers and later Mumbai Indians, while Kolkata Knight Riders also play Mumbai Indians - Super Kings have been assured of making the playoffs.
*As per the IPL rules, in case teams are tied on points, number of wins will take precedence over net run-rate
Royal Challengers' loss to Kings XI has ensured that Super Kings cannot finish outside the top four. Though Rajasthan Royals can achieve 16 points (equal with Super Kings), they can only have seven wins (because they were part of two washed-out matches)* which means that they cannot leapfrog Super Kings. The other four teams could have pushed Super Kings to fifth spot, but since they play three matches amongst themselves - Sunrisers Hyderabad face Royal Challengers and later Mumbai Indians, while Kolkata Knight Riders also play Mumbai Indians - Super Kings have been assured of making the playoffs.
*As per the IPL rules, in case teams are tied on points, number of wins will take precedence over net run-rate
Kolkata Knight Riders (15 points, to play away games v MI, RR)
Knight Riders, having won four of their last five matches, look good to make the playoffs. The equation for Knight Riders is simple - they need to win at least one of their next two games. In fact, even if Knight Riders lose both games, they could still qualify if other results go their way and they are tied, with a better NRR, on 15 points with Royal Challengers.
Knight Riders, having won four of their last five matches, look good to make the playoffs. The equation for Knight Riders is simple - they need to win at least one of their next two games. In fact, even if Knight Riders lose both games, they could still qualify if other results go their way and they are tied, with a better NRR, on 15 points with Royal Challengers.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (13 points, to play SRH away and DD at home)
Royal Challengers have to win their last two games to make it to 17 points and get a playoff berth. If they lose both games, they are out. However, if they win one of their last two games, they could still qualify in one of two ways - (i) if they are tied on 15 points with Knight Riders (assuming other results go their way), but have a superior NRR; or (ii) at least two teams out of Sunrisers, Royals and Mumbai Indians remain on 14 points or less. If Royal Challengers beat Sunrisers, and Royals lose their remaining match, Royal Challengers will progress regardless of other results.
Royal Challengers have to win their last two games to make it to 17 points and get a playoff berth. If they lose both games, they are out. However, if they win one of their last two games, they could still qualify in one of two ways - (i) if they are tied on 15 points with Knight Riders (assuming other results go their way), but have a superior NRR; or (ii) at least two teams out of Sunrisers, Royals and Mumbai Indians remain on 14 points or less. If Royal Challengers beat Sunrisers, and Royals lose their remaining match, Royal Challengers will progress regardless of other results.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (14 points, to play home games v RCB, MI)
Sunrisers need to win at least one of their remaining two matches in order to ensure qualification. However, they could qualify even if they lose both matches, as they could be tied on 14 points with Mumbai Indians and Royals (though Royals will have fewer wins in that case). However, if Sunrisers lose both their games, and either Royals or Mumbai Indians win their remaining matches, Sunrisers will not make the playoffs.
Sunrisers need to win at least one of their remaining two matches in order to ensure qualification. However, they could qualify even if they lose both matches, as they could be tied on 14 points with Mumbai Indians and Royals (though Royals will have fewer wins in that case). However, if Sunrisers lose both their games, and either Royals or Mumbai Indians win their remaining matches, Sunrisers will not make the playoffs.
Mumbai Indians (12 points, to play KKR at home and SRH away)
Mumbai Indians need to win both their remaining games to ensure qualification. If they lose both games, they are out. However, they could qualify even if they win only one of their last two games, because (i) they could finish tied on 14 points with Royals (assuming other results go their way) - in which case Royals will have only six wins while Mumbai Indians have seven; or (ii) they could finish tied on 14 points with Sunrisers (assuming other results go their way), and qualify if they can maintain a superior NRR.
Mumbai Indians need to win both their remaining games to ensure qualification. If they lose both games, they are out. However, they could qualify even if they win only one of their last two games, because (i) they could finish tied on 14 points with Royals (assuming other results go their way) - in which case Royals will have only six wins while Mumbai Indians have seven; or (ii) they could finish tied on 14 points with Sunrisers (assuming other results go their way), and qualify if they can maintain a superior NRR.
Rajasthan Royals (14 points, to play KKR at home)
After having won five straight games at the start of the tournament, Royals find themselves struggling to make the playoffs. Even if they win their last game (and reach 16 points), Royals could still find themselves outside the top four, because four other teams can still make it to 16 points or more. If that happens, Royals are at a disadvantage because they will have only seven wins (on account of two washed-out games), while the other teams will have eight or more. That said, Royals could qualify even if they lose their last game, as long as Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians lose their remaining games.
After having won five straight games at the start of the tournament, Royals find themselves struggling to make the playoffs. Even if they win their last game (and reach 16 points), Royals could still find themselves outside the top four, because four other teams can still make it to 16 points or more. If that happens, Royals are at a disadvantage because they will have only seven wins (on account of two washed-out games), while the other teams will have eight or more. That said, Royals could qualify even if they lose their last game, as long as Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians lose their remaining games.
Bishen Jeswant is a sub editor (stats) at ESPNcricinfo. @bishen_jeswant