IPL 2020 playoffs scenario – Rajasthan Royals keep six teams alive for three spots

Rajasthan Royals stayed alive in the IPL 2020 playoff race by beating Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi. The result ended Kings XI Punjab’s five-game winning streak and their chances of direct qualification have dimmed slightly. The points table now sees two teams tied on 14 points and three teams on 12 points, with even Sunrisers Hyderabad having a chance for the playoffs for they have played one game less. Heading into the double headers on Saturday and Sunday, the equation is slightly more simple now for the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. However, the team that will be celebrating the loss for Kings XI Punjab will be Kolkata Knight Riders and they will be hoping for KL Rahul’s team to lose to Chennai Super Kings in their final match.

Due to the situation involving three teams on 12, a side can now qualify even if they have 14 points. In this situation, net run-rate will play a massive role. Only Chennai Super Kings have been eliminated from the race for the playoffs while Mumbai Indians are the first team to have secured qualification. Here are the scenarios for each of the remaining six teams in the race for the three remaining spots.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Position 2)

M – 12, W – 7, L – 5, Points – 14, NRR (0.048)

Games remaining: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (October 31), vs Delhi Capitals (November 2)

What they must do: The loss for Kings XI Punjab has made it slightly more easier for Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. A win in any of their remaining two games will help them seal their spot in the playoffs. If they lose both games, they will have to hope Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab in their last game and that Kolkata Knight Riders win against Rajasthan Royals by a small margin.

Delhi Capitals (Position 3)

M – 12, W – 7, L – 5, Points – 14, NRR (0.030)

Games remaining: vs Mumbai Indians (October 31), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (November 2)

What they must do: Like Royal Challengers Bangalore, they have also benefited from Kings XI Punjab’s loss to Rajasthan Royals. If they win one of their games, they are through to the playoffs. If they lose both games, they have to hope that Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab while Rajasthan Royals beat Kolkata Knight Riders by a small margin or vice versa.

Kings XI Punjab (Position 4)

P – 13, W – 6, L – 7, Points – 12 (NRR -0.133)

Games remaining: vs Chennai Super Kings (November 1)

What they must do: Their last game is now a must-win. If they lose, they are out. They must beat Chennai Super Kings by a big margin and hope Delhi Capitals lose both their games by a big margin. They must also hope that either of Kolkata Knight Riders or Rajasthan Royals do not win by big margins and that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose one out of their two games.

Rajasthan Royals (Position 5)

P – 13, W – 6, L – 7, Points – 12 (NRR -0.377)

Games remaining: vs Kolkata Knight Riders (November 1)

What they must do: If they lose to Kolkata Knight Riders, they are out. If they win, they must win by a margin of over 100 runs. For qualifying, they must also hope that Kings XI Punjab lose to Chennai Super Kings and that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose one out of their two games against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Position 6)

P – 13, W – 6, L – 7, Points – 12 (NRR -0.467)

Games remaining: vs Rajasthan Royals (November 1)

What they must do: If they win against Rajasthan Royals, they are through. If Kings XI Punjab lose to Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad lose one out of two games, then their clash against Rajasthan Royals is a virtual shootout for the fourth spot.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Position 7)

P – 12, W – 5, L – 7, Points – 10 (NRR 0.396)

Games remaining: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (October 31), vs Mumbai Indians (November 3)

What they must do: Win both games. If they lose any one game, they will be eliminated from the tournament. If they win both games and Kings XI Punjab lose to Chennai Super Kings, then they will go through as both Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have a very poor net run-rate.