Published: May 15, 2015, 12:25 PM (IST)
Edited: May 15, 2015, 12:25 PM (IST)
It is the final stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015, which kicked off on April 8. However, the competition is still wide open, with almost six teams in contention of making it to the top four. Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore – the six teams will be fighting it out rigorously, to book the berth for playoffs. Even though they are guaranteed of a playoff berth, even CSK would not like to lose with one game left. IPL 2015 Points Table & Team Standings
Let us check out what are the possibilities. IPL 2015: Complete Coverage
Kolkata Knight Riders: The Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise have won total of seven matches from 13 games. Despite sitting pretty at No. 2 of the points table, KKR have to win their last match against Rajasthan Royals to be assured of a berth. However, even if KKR lose their final game, they can still qualify for playoffs, if other teams fail to produce desired results. KKR can then qualify with a good Net Run Rate.
Chennai Super Kings: Even if Rajasthan Royals manage to win their final match against KKR, it still ensures CSK’s berth in the playoffs. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s loss to Kings XI Punjab helped CSK’s future. Even if lose their final match against KXIP, CSK is unlikely to fall out of the top four of IPL 2015 points table. Even if, KKR, SRH and MI win their final matches, it will leave CSK at No. 4 of the points table. It will take RR to lose to KKR to ensure CSK’s fall. However, CSK sits pretty with a good NRR and as a result are ensured of a playoff berth.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli-led have to win their final two matches. Even if they lose one of the matches, they can still make it under two conditions. Firstly, if KKR are tied with KKR on 15 points, , RCB might be able to make it by a better NRR. Secondly, if either SRH, RR or MI are stuck at 14 points or less, then RCB will progress. If RCB beat SRH on Friday and RR lose to KKR on Saturday, then RCB will go through.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: SRH have two matches left, just like RCB and they will be looking to win both of them, in order to qualify for the playoffs. Even if SRH lose one of the matches, they can make it to the playoffs on grounds of NRR. There is a third option also. If SRH lose both their matches and are tied with RR and MI, considering the other two teams lose, then SRH can progress with a better NRR. However, if SRH lose both their matches and either RR or MI win, SRH will not make it to the playoffs.
Mumbai Indians: Mumbai Indians need to win their remaining match against SRH to ensure a playoffs berth. If, MI lose their final match and RR also lose their final, then MI can progress considering, RR will have six wins and MI will have seven. Assuming RCB beat SRH and enter the top four, SRH will face MI then, with both tied on 14. In that case, the team winning in the SRH vs MI match is likely to progress, assuming other results go their way.
Rajasthan Royals: RR need to win their final match against KKR to be reach with 16 points, and they could still find themselves tied with other teams. In that case they can make it to the top four, if they get a better run rate. However, RR can still make it, if MI or RCB lose their final remaining matches.
