A majestic century from Shreyas Iyer in Lucknow not only propelled Punjab Kings (PBKS) to victory but also kept their campaign alive in the tournament. With that win, they have significantly boosted their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. Delhi Capitals (DC), meanwhile, were eliminated as a result, making their final league game a dead rubber. However, the race for the final playoff spot will largely depend on the outcome of the afternoon clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI). While three teams remain in contention and uncertainty still surrounds who will qualify, one thing is certain — the final playoff spot will be decided on the last day of the IPL league stage.
Here’s a look at what each of the three teams must do to secure a place in the top four.
RR:
RR simply need to win. Irrespective of the margin, victory in their final league fixture on Sunday will seal a playoff spot for them. A win for RR would also eliminate PBKS and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) even before the final league match is played. The Royals, however, will be knocked out if they lose or if the game is abandoned.
PBKS:
PBKS have done their part with their latest victory. Now, they will be hoping for MI to beat RR and open the door for them to qualify for the playoffs. From Lucknow, as Iyer mentioned yesterday, the PBKS squad and their supporters will be rooting for MI, who will be playing at home at the Wankhede Stadium. For PBKS to qualify without relying on net run rate, the following results must go their way: MI must beat RR and then DC must beat KKR. Even if the latter does not happen, DC only need to ensure that their losing margin is not too heavy; otherwise, KKR could sneak through on net run rate, though that appears unlikely.
KKR:
KKR can also finish with a maximum of 15 points, so they too will be pinning their hopes on MI. If MI beat RR, KKR’s fate will remain in their own hands as they will have a clear equation ahead of them. For KKR to edge past PBKS on a 15-point tie, they must either secure a victory margin of at least 77 runs or complete the chase within 12.1 overs. If the winning runs come via a six after the scores are level, they can take up to 12.4 overs and still qualify ahead of PBKS.
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