IPL 2018: What each team should do to qualify for the playoffs

With just two days left, the 2018 IPL has reached its business end as the race for the top-4 has become very exciting. Table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings with 18 and 16 points respectively have already qualified for the playoffs and Delhi Daredevils are already out of contention for the top-4.

Kolkata Knight Riders, with 14 points and Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, with 12 points each, are still in contention for a place in the playoffs. With the teams playing their last league games on the last two days, the race for the top-4 will be very interesting.

You can find the IPL points table here. Let us take a look at the possible scenarios for all these five teams and what should happen for them to qualify for the playoffs.

Kings XI Punjab

After their first six matches, Kings XI Punjab were the favourites not only to qualify but also to finish in the top-2 as they had won five of those matches. They got a one-week break and that completely changed their fortunes as they managed to win just one out of their next seven matches and have put their qualification in jeopardy. Their qualification is not in their hands as they need some favours from other teams as well.

The results that will put Kings XI Punjab in the playoffs:

RR vs RCB - Narrow win for Rajasthan Royals

SRH vs KKR - A win for Sunrisers Hyderabad

DD vs MI - A win for Delhi Daredevils

CSK vs KXIP - A massive win for Kings XI Punjab