Rajneesh Gupta looks at each IPL team's chances of making it to the last four.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Matches left:
vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Kolkata, May 22, 2016
A win against the Kolkata Knight Riders will seal the Sunrisers Hyderabad a place in the play-offs as one of the top two teams.
Even if the Sunrisers lose to KKR, they should still be able to qualify provided the loss is not a huge one.
This is because Sunrisers have a good net run rate. Even if they lose to KKR by around 35 runs, their net run rate will be better than KKR. However, they may not qualify as one of the top two sides.
A wash-out will also take them through.
If the Gujarat Lions beat the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, Sunrisers will be through.
For all practical purposes, Sunrisers are through.
The only possible way they can get eliminated is if they suffer a huge loss to KKR, the Gujarat Lions lose to the Mumbai Indians by a very small margin and the Royal Challengers Bangalore beat the Delhi Daredevils.
In such a scenario, the Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Lions will be on 16 points each and a better net run rate than the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Gujarat Lions
Matches left:
vs Mumbai Indians at Kanpur, May 21, 2016
If they beat the Mumbai Indians in their last league game, they will progress to the play-offs as one of the top two sides.
If their match versus the Mumbai Indians is washed off, they will be through.
If they lose to the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers beat KKR on Sunday, the Gujarat Lions will still make it to the play-offs.
If they lose to the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers lose to KKR, then the only way they can reach the play-offs is if the match between the Delhi Daredevils and the Royal Challengers Bangalore is washed off.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Matches left:
vs Delhi Daredevils at Raipur, May 22, 2016
A win in their last game against the Delhi Daredevils will take RCB through, thanks to their superior net run rate.
If RCB lose to the Daredevils, they can reach the play-offs only if the Gujarat Lions beat the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers beat KKR.
If RCB lose to the Daredevils, and either of the Gujarat Lions-Mumbai Indians game or the Sunrisers-KKR game is washed out, RCB will be eliminated.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Matches left:
vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Kolkata, May 22, 2016
If they beat Sunrisers, they are almost sure of a play-off place. This is because of their positive net run rate.
If they lose to Sunrisers, they can reach the play-offs only if the Mumbai Indians lose to the Gujarat Lions and the Royal Challengers Bangalore lose to the Delhi Daredevils.
A wash-out versus Sunrisers may also see KKR eliminated.
Mumbai Indians
Matches left:
vs Gujarat Lions at Kanpur, May 21, 2016
If they beat the Gujarat Lions, they will be sure of a place in the play-offs. This is because the Gujarat Lions won't be able to beat them on net run rate and only one of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils can match them on points.
If they lose to the Gujarat Lions, Mumbai Indians will end up with 14 points. They may not be able to play in the play-offs.
The only way they can reach the play-offs after a defeat is if the Sunrisers Hyderabad beat KKR and the Delhi Daredevils lose to Royal Challengers Bangalore.
In such a scenario, the Mumbai Indians will tie with KKR and the Delhi Daredevils with 14 points and may sneak through on a higher net run rate.
Delhi Daredevils
Matches left:
vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Raipur, May 22, 2016
A win against RCB will take them to 16 points. But their negative net run rate means they will need to depend on other results.
If the Mumbai Indians beat the Gujarat Lions and KKR beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad, then 5 teams will end on 16 points and the net run rate will come into the picture.
If, however, any of the above two results go according to their wish (the Gujarat Lions beat the Mumbai Indians or the Sunrisers Hyderabad beat KKR) and the Delhi Daredevils beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore, then they should sneak through.
The Delhi Daredevils have the advantage of playing the last league match and will know exactly what they need to do.
Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab
Both these sides are out of the play-offs race.
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