Explained: How Royal Challengers Bangalore Could Still Miss Out On A Playoffs Spot

Not very long ago, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals along with defending champions Mumbai Indians were looking set to make it to the playoffs with ease. However, the complexion of the entire league has changed after the recent results.

While Mumbai Indians have sealed their spot in the playoffs, both Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore are in a spot of bother after losing three games in row. Fortunately for them, they still have their fate in their own hands and can make it through to the next round by winning the contest when they lock horns against each other.

The Virat Kohli-led side had the chance to seal the playoff spot on Saturday when they locked horns against SunRisers Hyderabad. However, they ended up suffering a crushing 5-wicket loss at the hands of the David Warner-led side.

How can Royal Challengers Bangalore still miss out on a playoffs spot:

While Mumbai Indians have booked their place in the playoffs and Chennai Super Kings are already out, as many as six teams are in contention for the playoff spot. Royal Challengers Bangalore as well as Delhi Capitals have slight advantage over the other teams as they have won seven games so far while the others have won six.

However, the Bangalore-based outfit is still not guaranteed a place in the next round and could still exit the tournament at the league stage next week. A win against Delhi Capitals would be enough for them to not only qualify but also finish in the top two.

However, a loss could see them exit the IPL 2020 at the league stage. If they lose against Delhi, they will be at the mercy of other results. If SunRisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab win their last matches, then 14 points will not be enough for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s net run-rate is worse than that of SunRisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab. So a win for Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab and SunRisers Hyderabad will be enough to knock the Virat Kohli-led side out of the competition. KKR and RR could also knock Bangalore out if the clash between them is decided by a big margin.

At the same time, they could also make it past the league stage with 14 points. In such a case, they will need at least two of the three scenarios to happen to make it to the next round:

– Kings XI Punjab lose to Chennai Super Kings and finish on 12 points

– Sunrisers Hyderabad lose to Mumbai Indians and finish on 12 points

– Kolkata Knight Riders-Rajasthan Royals match is decided by a bare minimum margin as possible such that the winner’s NRR doesn’t overtake that of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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