IPL 2019: How KXIP Can Still Qualify For the Playoffs?

Dinesh Karthik-led Kolkata Knight riders moved one step forward to fix a place in the IPL 2019 qualifiers after defeating Kings XI Punjab by 7 wickets on Friday. On the other hand, the loss ends the playoff hopes for the R Ashwin-led KXIP, however, they are still in it, mathematically.

The victory took KKR to the 5th place with 12 points on the IPL 2019 points table. KKR still has one match to go against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. While KXIP slipped to the 7th position with 10 points on the IPL 2019 table. KXIP will face the top placed CSK on Sunday.

While, CSK, DC, and MI have already booked their place at the playoffs of the IPL 2019, four teams are contending for the last spot in the final four. SRH is most likely to qualify for the Eliminator provided they win their finals game against RCB with 14 points on the table. If SRH loses their final match against RCB, they would be hoping for KKR to lose against MI to qualify.

KKR also has a competent chance to reach the last four. If KKR wins their last match and RCB wins against SRH, they would qualify for the playoffs.

RR and KXIP have the least chance to reach the IPL 2019 playoffs. RR has a straight equation to reach the last four. They have to win their last match and hope that KKR and SRH lose their final match to play the Eliminator.

While KXIP still has the chance to qualify for the playoffs mathematically but it almost seems impossible for the franchise to finish the league at top four.

Even if Punjab wins their final game and Kolkata, Rajasthan and Hyderabad lose their last game, their chances to qualify seems impractical. The NRR of KXIP is the lowest amongst the team contending for the last spot in the IPL 2019 playoffs. But mathematically it is possible if they win their last match with a significant margin and other teams lose with very big margins.