IPL 2019 : Playoff Qualifying Scenarios

The IPL 2019 season has reached the last week before the playoffs. But there is still uncertainty about the teams qualifying for the playoff stages. Virat Kohli led RCB is the only team to be knocked out of the IPL 2019. While all the other teams have their chances to qualify for the last stages of the IPL 2019.

Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have already booked their places for the playoffs with 16 points each in the IPL 2019. DC has taken the first position on the points table with CSK taking the second place. Both the teams would be looking to finish the league stages as the top two teams on the points table.

The race for the playoffs is still very much on for the remaining 5 teams, excluding RCB. Here are the scenarios for how the knockout stages of the IPL 2019 are likely to shape.

Chennai Super Kings 

CSK has two remaining matches, one with DC at home and the last match will be an away match with KXIP. The franchise led by MS Dhoni would be aiming to win at least one match to seal the top two positions. The qualifier 1 is scheduled to take place in Chennai and CSK would hope to play the qualifier 1 and take advantage of home conditions to book a place in the finals.

Delhi Capitals

DC is left to play with CSK (Away) and RR (Home). The Capitals qualification scenario is just like CSK. The side must be aiming to finish at the top two. But the pitches in Chennai and Delhi are the ones where DC would not like to play. The away match at the Chepauk stadium, Chennai could be a difficult match but the team would be aiming to defeat the 7th place Rajasthan Royals at their home.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR is left with two away games which could be tricky for the Knight Riders. Their first match is against KXIP, followed by Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium. KKR conquered 12 points on the points table with two games left. The side has to win both their matches in order to qualify for the playoffs. But even if they win one match, the net run rate will be a factor for KKR to qualify for the last stages.

KKR can avoid the NRR scenario provided SRH lose both their matches and RR lose one of theirs with KXIP losing to CSK as well.

Kings XI Punjab

KXIP will play their last two matches at home in the IPL 2019. Despite playing at home, the side would be under immense pressure as they have to win both their matches with keeping the NRR in mind. There’s only one way in which KXIP can qualify for the playoffs. They have to win both their matches and also keep their NRR above KKR and RR.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians have the advantage of playing their last two matches at home against SRH and KKR. MI has one of the simplest equation to qualify for the playoffs. MI has to win either of their two matches to qualify for the knockout stages in IPL 2019 with 14 points on the table. If MI lose both of their matches, then the NRR will come into action. The team has a decent net run rate and would hope to win both of their matches but in worst case scenario, the team should avoid big defeats.

Rajasthan Royals

RR will also play both their matches away from home. The Royals are scheduled to play with RCB and DC in their last two matches. RR also has to win both their matches by keeping their NRR positive. Even this will not be enough if MI defeat KKR and SRH win both their matches. So RR qualification chances also depend on other team’s results.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

SRH is going to play two away matches against MI and RCB. The Sunrisers are standing fourth on the points table with 12 points. The best qualification scenario for Hyderabad is to win both their matches and qualify for the playoffs with 16 points. But if they lose one of their matches then with 14-points on the table, SRH would have to look onto their NRR as the net run rate comes into action when a team qualifies with 14 points.

There still are many mathematical permutations and combinations which could change the qualification scenario of the 5 teams in IPL 2019. Only time will tell how the last stages of the league matches go on and which team qualifies for the knockout stages of the IPL 2019