Crunch Time For Seven Teams

[Jilebi]

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[b]Delhi Daredevils[/b]
[i]To play: Kings XI Punjab (home), Royal Challengers Bangalore (home), Kings XI Punjab (away)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
Despite defeats in two of their last three matches, Delhi Daredevils are still sitting pretty - they have three matches to go, including two at home. One win, in any of their remaining games, will definitely see them through, for it's impossible for four other teams to end up with 20 or more points. If they lose all games, however, they could be in some trouble, for four teams could potentially end up with more than 18 points, and a couple more on 18. However, Daredevils could go through even with only 18 points if other results go their way: if Chennai Super Kings lose to Kings XI Punjab and stay on 17 points, if Royal Challengers Bangalore lose to Deccan Chargers, and if Rajasthan Royals don't win their last two games. In that case, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI, Kolkata Knight Riders and Daredevils will progress to the last four stage.[/color][color=#333333]
[b]Mumbai Indians[/b]
[i]To play: Kolkata Knight Riders (home), Rajasthan Royals (away)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
Mumbai Indians have won five of their last six games - three of them in extremely tight finishes - and find themselves comfortably placed on 18 points with two matches to play. Like Daredevils, Mumbai Indians will also be through to the final four if they win one game. However, if they lose both their games, their position will be in jeopardy, as up to six other teams could potentially end with 18 or more points. Also, Mumbai Indians' have a relatively poor net run rate, which will go down further if they lose their last two matches, and that'll go against them if it comes down to NRR. However, 18 points will be enough for them if the other teams who're contesting for spots - Royals, Super Kings, Royal Challengers and Kings XI - don't go beyond 18. For that to happen, Super Kings will need to lose their last match, and the other three teams will have to win not more than one of their remaining matches. Mumbai Indians also have the advantage of playing the last match of the IPL league stage - against Royals - so they'll know exactly what they need to do to go through.[/color][color=#333333]
[b]Kolkata Knight Riders[/b]
[i]To play: Mumbai Indians (away), Pune Warriors (away)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
With defeats in their last two matches, Kolkata Knight Riders aren't as comfortably placed as they were a week ago. Mumbai Indians have gone past them, which makes their clash on Wednesday an important one for both sides. A win in either of their last two matches, though, will still put them in an excellent position to qualify, especially since their net run rate is an impressive +0.390. Knight Riders also have the advantage of playing their last match against Pune Warriors, who have lost their last eight matches. However, if Knight Riders manage to lose both their matches, then they'll be hard-pressed to secure a last-four berth, as six teams could potentially go post 17 points. In the event that they lose both their matches, Knight Riders will want Daredevils and Mumbai Indians, the top two teams, to win all their remaining games so that the others in contention stay below 17. It's possible if Royals, Kings XI and Royal Challengers win no more than one match, but Knight Riders would prefer a simpler path.[/color][color=#333333]
[b]Chennai Super Kings[/b]
[i]To play: Kings XI Punjab (away)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
Chennai Super Kings are one of the two teams to have played 15 matches, and will be the first ones to finish their league games - they play their last match against Kings XI on Thursday. If they lose that match, they'll be hoping that the teams below them in the points table - Royal Challengers, Kings XI and Royals - lose pretty much every game they play. In that case, Super Kings could make the cut even with 17 points. If they beat Kings XI, though, Super Kings will have an excellent chance of making the final four. Depending on how the other results go, they might have to battle for the last spot, or the last two spots, with Royal Challengers and Knight Riders, but so far their net run rate of +0.214 is much better than Royal Challengers' -0.072.[/color][color=#333333]
[b]Royal Challengers Bangalore[/b]
[i]To play: Delhi Daredevils (away), Deccan Chargers (away)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
Royal Challengers have two matches to go - against the table toppers and the cellar dwellers. Even if they win both their matches, there's a small chance of elimination if Super Kings win their last game and edge them out on net run rate. If they lose one of their matches, though, they'll struggle, especially since their run rate is below that of Super Kings. If Kings XI and Royals win no more than one of their remaining matches, then Royal Challengers could still be in contention with 17, but their NRR could hurt them if it came to that.[/color][color=#333333]
[b]Kings XI Punjab[/b]
[i]To play: Delhi Daredevils (away), Chennai Super Kings (home), Delhi Daredevils (home)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
The good news for Kings XI is that they have three games in hand, but the bad news is that all three games are against top teams: two versus Daredevils, the table toppers, and one against Super Kings, who've suddenly regained their form and won three on the trot. Kings XI need to win at least two of those three matches, and it'll help if one of those wins is against Super Kings. Even if they finish on 18, they'll need other results to go their way to qualify. (If they beat Daredevils twice and lose to Super Kings, there's a possibility of seven teams finishing between 17 and 19 points.) With three wins, though, Kings XI will definitely go through, and perhaps even contest for a place in the top two.[/color][color=#333333]
[b]Rajasthan Royals[/b]
[i]To play: Deccan Chargers (away), Mumbai Indians (home)[/i][/color][color=#333333]
Royals need to win both their games, and then hope that the other results go their way. Their best-case scenario will be if Daredevils win all their remaining matches, and if Super Kings lose to Kings XI. In such a case, Super Kings, Kings XI and Royal Challengers will all finish with fewer than 18 points. On the other hand, even with 18 points, Royals are far from assured of qualification, for there's a possibility of as many as five teams finishing with more than 18 points. The one slight advantage for Royals is they'll play the last match of the league stage, at home against Mumbai Indians, so they'll know exactly what's needed for qualification.[/color]