This makes the match between RCB and CSK in Bengaluru on May 18 a winner-takes-all clash for fourth place. But the weather forecast for the match-day will keep RCB on tenterhooks.
The match is scheduled to begin 7:30 pm, and the evening forecast for Saturday reads ‘cloudy with a thunderstorm in parts of the area’. The forecast also shows ‘100% cloud cover’ and ‘7.2 mm’ of rain, with temperature after sunset to be in the early 20s.
Seventh-place LSG’s negative net run-rate (NRR) of -0.787 leaves them with little hope, even though they have similar number of points (12) as RCB. Delhi have 14 points, but having finished their league engagements with a negative NRR of -0.377 to go with their 14 points, they too are hoping against hope.
The Bengaluru team’s positive NRR of +0.387 makes them better placed. However, CSK, who have 14 points, enjoy the best NRR among the four which reads +0.528. Because of that, RCB will have their calculators out to know the margins victory would need over CSK.
Qualification scenarios for RCB
In case RCB bat first and set CSK a target of 200 for victory then Faf du Plessis’s team will need at least an extra 18 runs more than CSK’s net run-rate to scrape through into playoffs.
If RCB chase a target of 201 or above, then they must win by at least eleven balls remaining.
Qualification Scenarios For Csk
But it is simple math for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)…Win! Although narrow defeat can take five-time champions through when compared to their net run rate being better than that if RCB because they are two points ahead of them.
In case of a washout or no-result, the teams will get one point each, which will be enough for CSK to go through.
