Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants duly qualified for the Playoffs. While Chennai will face table toppers Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on May 23, Lucknow await their opposition for the Eliminator on May 24. Both matches will be played in Chennai.

Meanwhile, following their defeat against Lucknow at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders joined Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad among eliminated teams.

Two matches now remain the league stage, and these will be played in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Three teams – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rajasthan Royals – are still competing to face Lucknow in the Eliminator. Here are their qualification scenarios for the final Playoffs spot.

Mumbai Indians – 14 points from 13 games, NRR: NRR -0.128

Remaining games: Sunrisers Hyderabad (home)

If Mumbai lose, they will finish below Rajasthan and will be eliminated. At the same time, even a win will not be enough. Even if they win, they have to win by a margin so enormous that Bangalore fail to catch up.

A more realistic option is for Gujarat to beat Bangalore in their last match.

Rajasthan Royals – 14 points from 14 games, NRR: 0.148

All games completed

Rajasthan need Hyderabad to beat Mumbai and Gujarat to beat Bangalore – and even that will not be enough. For Rajasthan to qualify, Bangalore need to lose by a margin big enough for their net run rate (+0.180) to dip below Rajasthan’s (+0.148).

Royal Challengers Bangalore – 14 points from 13 games, NRR: 0.180

Remaining games: Gujarat Titans (home)

If Mumbai lose, even a narrow defeat will see Bangalore through, for all they need to ensure is their net run rate remains above Rajasthan’s.

However, if Mumbai win, Bangalore will also have to win. In the unlikely event of Mumbai surpassing Bangalore’s net run rate, Bangalore will have to take care of that as well.

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