We’re 54 matches into the tournament, and the line-up for the IPL 2020 playoffs is not  yet ready. With just two league matches left to play, three playoffs spots are still up for grabs, and all of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are in contention.

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While KKR have done all they could and now need other results to go their way, RCB, DC and SRH are still in control of their destiny. Here’s what each of them need to do to qualify for IPL 2020 playoffs.

How RCB can qualify for playoffs (remaining match: v DC)

If they win:

It’s pretty straightforward for the men in red and black – beat DC, get to 16 points, take the second spot and earn two shots at the IPL 2020 final. It is, needless to say, their best-case scenario.

If they lose:

Even if they lose against DC in their final league clash, RCB could still go through to the IPL 2020 playoffs. Here’s how:

With NRR intervention: RCB should ensure their net run-rate doesn’t drop below that of KKR’s -0.214, even if they lose against DC. For that, if they are chasing 161 or more, the margin of defeat to DC shouldn’t be more than 21 runs; if RCB are defending 160, they need to make sure DC don’t chase it down in less than 17.3 overs.

Without NRR intervention: If RCB lose to DC and finish with 14 points and a poor NRR, they’ll still make it through to the playoffs if SRH are beaten by Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last league match.

How DC can qualify for playoffs (remaining match: v RCB)

 If they win:

Like RCB, if DC come out on top in their clash, they will qualify for the playoffs irrespective of the result in the other matches and without NRR coming into play.

If they lose:

With NRR intervention: Now the Capitals have a slightly poorer NRR than RCB. So in order to seal a playoffs spot even with a defeat, they will need to make sure that they don’t lose badly. To be precise, say if DC are chasing 161, they will have to score at least 142 in 20 overs to finish with a better NRR than KKR. If they’re defending 160, on the other hand, they’ll have to keep RCB at bay at least till the completion of 18 overs.

Without NRR intervention: Hope SRH lose to MI in the last league stage match of the season. They will then qualify for the playoffs alongside MI, RCB and KKR.

How SRH can qualify for playoffs (remaining match: v MI)

If they win:

SRH have the best NRR of the chasing pack at 0.555. So all they need to do is beat MI and get to 14 points, and finish in the top four.

If they lose:

SRH don’t have the luxury that RCB and DC have. If they lose to MI, they will be knocked out of the tournament while the other three teams in contention will qualify.

How KKR can qualify for playoffs (no matches remaining)

Scenario 1: SRH lose v MI

Eoin Morgan’s men will hope SRH lose their match against MI on Tuesday. That will then ease KKR’s path into the playoffs with no NRR complications, in what will be the most straightforward way they can finish in the top four.

Scenario 2: SRH win v MI

For KKR to qualify to the playoffs even with an SRH win against table-toppers MI, a few things need to go their way.

If RCB beat DC: RCB restrict DC to 160 and chase down the total in less than 18 overs, or win by at least 19 runs after posting 160 on the board. That will ensure KKR’s NRR is beetter than that of DC’s.

If DC beat RCB: DC restrict RCB to 160 and chase down the total in less than 17.3 overs, or win by at least 22 runs after posting 160 on the board. It will mean KKR finish with a better NRR than RCB.

Related tags:

Delhi CapitalsKolkata Knight RidersRoyal Challengers BangaloreSunrisers Hyderabad Global T20 LeaguesIndian Premier League