IPL 2018 playoffs: 5 teams, 2 spots! How 2 from MI, RCB, KKR, KXIP, RR can qualify

Mumbai: The 11th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) has lived up to the expectation of being a very exciting edition. With Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coming back in the cash-rich league after an absence of two years, the season was expected to be an exciting one.

With Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and CSK already making it through to the play-off round and Delhi Daredevils (DD) eliminated from this years edition, five teams are looking to seal the deal in a playoff race

After Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered an emphatic 10-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Indore last night, the race for the third and fourth spot is turning out to an exciting contest.

Here's how the current scenario looks like

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Yet another season to forget for Virat Kohli-led side. The Bangalore franchise has been inconsistent throughout the tournament and even changes in the playing XI did not turn their fortunes.

After last night's crushing win over KXIP, RCB still need to win the remaining two games handsomely to increase their net run-rate and stand a chance to qualify for the knockout stage.  

One loss in the final two games will bring down curtains on RCB campaign. Even after winning their last two games in the league stage, RCB will finish on 14 points and their fate will also depend on results of other teams.

The next match will be between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. If RR beat KKR then they face RCB in a virtual quarter-final on Sunday. The match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday will also be crucial for RCB. If MI lose, then they will be knocked out of the tournament and if KXIP loses, then RCB still stand chance due to better run rate.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)

They have themselves to blame for putting themselves in such scenario. After winning matches in the initial stage of the tournament, they looked favorites to end the league stage in top two spots.

The recent slump in form resulted in them fighting for their survival. Victory in next two games will take them to 16 points and assure them a spot in the play-off stage, but in case of a loss, they will have to win the final game by a huge margin and depend on results of other matches.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Currently, on 12 points, victory in last two games will assure them play-off spot with 16 points. The path becomes tougher as RR has poor Net Run Rate among the five teams.

If they lose to KKR, they will hope that Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kings XI Punjab lose one match each to make the qualification easier.

If RR does beat Kolkata, they need to win their last league game against RCB by a huge margin to boost their NRR, to stand any chance of qualification.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

The equation for the defending champions is very simple, just win and only win. A loss or washout will bring down curtains to their campaign.

Known to be slow starters, Mumbai Indians looked like down and out of the playoff contention, but they made a remarkable comeback in the second half of tournament and put themselves in playoff contention.

After the loss against RR, things have become difficult for MI, but two wins will see them through due to superior NRR among the other seven teams.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

The two-time IPL champions have had a poor season and in spite of losing 6 games and winning the same amount of matches, they have still managed to keep themselves in the hunt for a spot in the playoff.

 A win in their next two games against Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad will see them qualify to playoffs. In case of one win, their fate will depend on the results of other teams while two losses will mean that the season will be over for Dinesh Karthik-led side.

( Photo: IPL screengrab)