IPL qualification scenarios: Royal Challengers Bangalore tighten grip on play-off spot

Here's how the things stand after the match 50 of IPL 2016 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab and what teams need to do to progress further.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Points 16; NRR +0.400)

Matches left:
Vs Delhi Daredevils, Raipur, 20 May 2015
Vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata, 22 May 2015

If they win at least one of their remaining two games, they will qualify and finish in one of the top two positions.

They can still qualify if they lose both their remaining games but whether they end up in the top two will depend on other results.

The only possible way they can get eliminated is if they lose both their games badly and lose out on Net Run Rate (NRR) scenario.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Points 14; NRR +0.926)

Matches left:
Vs Delhi Daredevils, Raipur, 22 May 2015

A win their last game against Delhi Daredevils should be enough to carry them to knockouts thanks to their stellar net run rate of +0.926.

Even if they lose to the Daredevils, the Royal Challengers could be well placed go through thanks to their superior run rate. For that to happen, at least two among Kolkata Knight Riders/Gujarat Lions/Mumbai Indians/Delhi Daredevils should not go beyond 14 points.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Points 14; NRR +0.280)

Matches left:
Vs Gujarat Lions, Kanpur, 19 May 2015
Vs Sun Risers Hyderabad, Kolkata, 22 May 2015

If they win both their remaining matches, they will qualify for playoffs as one of the top two sides.

They can also go through with a single win, but that might dent their chances of finishing in the top two as other teams could pip them on NRR.

If they lose both their remaining matches, it could go down to a NRR shootout with other teams on 14 points.

Gujarat Lions (Points 14; NRR -0.747)

Matches left:
Vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kanpur, 19 May 2015
Vs Mumbai Indians, Kanpur, 21 May 2015

If they win both their remaining matches, they will definitely qualify and a top two finish is guaranteed.

Gujarat Lions can go through if they beat Mumbai Indians.

If they beat Kolkata Knight Riders and lose to Mumbai Indians, there might be a tie at 16 points and net run rate will come into play.

In the event of them losing both remaining matches, they will get eliminated if either Delhi Daredevils or Royal Challengers Bangalore win their remaining matches.

Mumbai Indians (Points 14; NRR -0.082)

Matches left:
Vs Gujarat Lions, Kanpur, 21 May 2015

Even if they win their last game, they are most likely to end up in a tie with one or more teams at 16 points. Ideally, they would like to end with a huge win to boost their net run rate.

If they lose, the best they can finish is at fourth sport in an unlikely scenario of four other results going their way.

Delhi Daredevils (Points 12; NRR -0.125)

Matches left:
Vs Sun Risers Hyderabad, Raipur, 20 May 2015
Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Raipur, 22 May 2015

If they win both their remaining games, they could be tied with at least one more team at 16 points. Their current net run rate of -0.125 needs an improvement in such a case.

If they lose one of their remaining matches, it might come down to net run rate shootout at 14 points. Again a negative net run rate might hamper their further progress.

If they lose both their remaining matches, they stand eliminated.