A five-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday earned Punjab Kings a consolation victory, with skipper Sam Curran’s all-round performance being phenomenal. This means that, despite having already confirmed their place in the playoffs only a day before, it was a major setback for Rajasthan since they were looking to finish first or second in the league stage.
As of now, Rajasthan remain in second place with one game at hand while Kolkata Knight Riders lead by 18 points are the only teams who have qualified for play-offs.
However, this did not deter Curran from an authoritative display with both bat and ball as he underlined Punjab’s resolve and determination to end the campaign on a high note.
With IPL down to last five matches of its league phase, here is what every possible scenario looks like for last two spots:
* KKR are now guaranteed to finish sole toppers of the league stage since no other team can catch them on 19 points
* RR will definitely qualify even if they lose their final match. Best case scenario would be finishing as runners-up by beating KKR in their next and final fixture. However whether that is wholly second or joint second will depend upon other match regulations. Conversely, should SRH win their remaining two games, they could also join RR on 18 points whereby there isn’t much between them in terms of net run rate right now.
* At present, CSK sit third among teams vying for the last two knockout spots based on NRR but are unlikely to miss out if they maintain their current form. This might result into a pool of four others (DC, RCB, SRH and LSG) or three others (DC, RCB and LSG), depending upon what happens elsewhere between other competitors. Their superior net run rate at this stage is working in their favour vis-à-vis other teams competing for the last two qualifying slots.
* Similarly, SRH in fourth place are guaranteed a top four finish but are not yet assured of qualification. They can be joined on 16 points by DC, RCB, CSK and LSG if they lose both their final games or it can also be a tie between them and DC and LSG for fourth spot. Just one win from their remaining two games will see them through to the Playoffs
* The probability of Delhi Capital’s point tally getting among the top-four teams (singly or jointly) is 62.5%. However, they are not certain of making it to the playoffs. A third-place finish on points would involve a four-way or five-way tie while ending up in fourth position would mean a two- way to four-way tie depending upon other results
* There is only a 50% chance that Royal Challengers Bangalore will fall within the top-four if we go by points alone. Beating Chennai Super Kings could save them; however, just beating doesn’t guarantee anything else though
* LSG, currently at position 7 th , were not eliminated by their loss to DC on Tuesday. They still have a 31% probability of finishing in the top four on points as individuals or as part of a team. However, the problem lies with third place, which will involve a five-way tie and joint fourth place means three or four-way tie and they have the poorest NRR among all teams that can be tied
* MI, PBKS and GT are already set
