IPL 2017: Best and worst scenarios for the five sides attempting to make the playoffs
The tenth season of the Indian Premier League has entered its business end, with sides battling it out to make the playoffs. With five matches remaining in the league stages, only one team – Mumbai Indians – have secured a top four berth.
But there’s more to the playoff slots than just qualifying as there are incentives for finishing in the top two. While teams finishing first and second have two chances to make the finals, the third and fourth placed teams have to win two games in a row to book a slot in the finals.
Every team has fought tooth and nail thus far and the result is that four slots are up for grabs for as many as five teams. Let’s have a look at the best and worst possible scenarios for the five teams that include Mumbai Indians and the four other contenders.
#5 Kolkata Knight Riders
Remaining matches
Versus Mumbai Indians – Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 13th May
Best possible scenario – W, end with 18 points
Highest possible finish: Number 1
Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians’ Net Run Rate are +0.729 and +0.810 respectively. There’s a possibility for KKR to not only beat Mumbai, but also surpass their run rate.
If KKR beat MI by a specific margin or achieve the target in the desired overs and overhaul Mumbai’s NRR, they will finish on top courtesy of a higher NRR.
If RPS, at best, win one of their remaining two matches and equal KKR’s tally of 18 points, KKR are still likely to remain number one since Pune’s NRR (-0.060) is highly unlikely to overhaul KKR’s NRR.
Worst Possible Scenario – L, end with 16 points
Lowest position KKR are likely to finish: Number 4
If Pune win one out of their two games to reach 18 points, KKR are pushed down to number three. Further, if Sunrisers beat Gujarat Lions, they reach 17 points and KKR will finish fourth in that scenario.
Kings XI Punjab can equal KKR’s tally by defeating Pune, but it’s improbable that they will overhaul KKR’s Net Run Rate. Gambhir’s side need to avoid a humongous defeat or hope that Punjab do not annihilate Pune.
However, if somehow Punjab indeed do annihilate Pune and KKR suffer a humbling of their own, the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise will be eliminated.