IPL 2020 Playoffs Qualification Scenario For Each Of The 8 Franchises

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League [IPL] is gradually moving towards its business end and things are beginning to heat up as far as the qualification for the playoffs is concerned.

With the likes of Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians all but certain to make it to the playoffs, the battle is well and truly for the fourth vacant spot between Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, SunRisers Hyderabad, and on mathematical calculations, Chennai Super Kings.

Here’s a look at the IPL 2020 playoffs qualification scenario for each team:

Delhi Capitals:

Remaining fixtures against- KKR, SRH, MI & RCB

After having registered 7 wins in 10 IPL 2020 fixtures, the Delhi Capitals are sitting pretty at the numero-uno spot in the points table. Generally, eight wins or 16 points from 14 games are enough for a side to qualify for the playoffs, which DC should achieve with ease considering they have to win just one of their last four fixtures.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Remaining fixtures against- CSK, MI, SRH & DC

Just like the Delhi Capitals, Virat Kohli’ss Royal Challengers Bangalore, for a change, has had smooth sailing in the IPL 2020 league-stage thus far. Following a commanding 8-wicket win over KKR, RCB leapfrogged MI to take the 2nd spot in the points table.

They have 14 points [7 seven wins] after their first 10 games and another two points in their next 4 games would guarantee them a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.

Mumbai Indians

Current State- 3rd; 12 points after 9 games

Remaining fixtures against- CSK, RR, RCB, DC & SRH

The defending champions have had yet another dominating season thus far. With six wins after 9 games, Mumbai Indians are at the 3rd spot in the points table and two wins in their last five fixtures should be enough to take them to the knockouts.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Remaining fixtures against- DC, KXIP, CSK & RR

KKR might be currently sitting at the 4th spot in the IPL 2020 points table after having registered 5 wins in 10 games, but things are looking far from hunky-dory for the Eoin Morgan-led franchise.

Firstly, they’ll have to win three of their next four games to qualify for the playoffs. Two of those four games are against table-toppers Delhi Capitals and a resurgent Kings XI Punjab unit and given the fact they are grappling with a lack of performances by their senior cricketers, injuries, and some questionable on-field tactics, it would require a herculean task for the team to make it to the top-4.

They can also qualify with two wins in four games but for that they will have to hope that the likes of SRH, KXIP, and RR lose at least two of their remaining fixtures.

Secondly, KKR’s net run-rate- -0.828- is the worst in the tournament and it could come back to bite them at the crunch stage.

Kings XI Punjab

Remaining fixtures against- SRH, KKR, RR & CSK

After having managed just one win after seven games thanks to a plethora of bottle-ups, Kings XI Punjab have clawed themselves back into playoffs contention following three consecutive victories against the top-3 sides of the competition- DC, MI, and RCB.

In an ideal case, KXIP would hope that they win each of their next four games to ensure direct qualification for the playoffs. But even if they drop one game from their next four, they can still qualify, provided they bet each of KKR and RR and the former loses one more game.

Rajasthan Royals

Current State- 6th; 8 points after 10 games

Remaining fixtures against- SRH, MI, KXIP & KKR

Rajasthan Royals notched up a much-needed win against CSK in their last fixture to keep themselves afloat in the playoffs race. Having managed just 8 points after 10 outings, the Royals need at least three wins out of their last four games to qualify for the playoffs. Apart from that, they will also have to hope that they beat both KKR and KXIP and the former loses one more fixture.

They have two tough outings against defending champions Mumbai and a resurgent KXIP and their bout against the latter could potentially turn out to be the virtual knockout. Another issue that RR will have to address is their NRR. Their NRR of -0.591 is the second-worst in the tournament thus far and it could come back to haunt them in the end.

SunRisers Hyderabad

Current State- 7th; 6 points after 9 games

Remaining fixtures against- RR, KXIP, DC, RCB & MI

With just three wins after nine games, SunRisers Hyderabad is in a big hole as far as qualifying for the playoffs is concerned. They need to win at least four of their next five games, but with three of those five games being against the top-3 teams’ in MI, DC, and RCB, it looks a very herculean task. Besides that, they will also have to hope that KKR loses at least two games out of their last four.

One thing that is in SRH’s favor is their NRR. They are the only team placed in the bottom half of the table which has a positive run-rate- 0.008.

Chennai Super Kings

Remaining fixtures against- MI, RCB, KKR & KXIP

With 7 defeats in their first 10 outings, Chennai Super Kings are all but out of from the playoffs contention. But there is still a mathematical possibility of them making to the top-4.

But for that, they will have to win their next four games; hope that SRH, KXIP, and RR lose at least two of their last four games besides praying for KKR to lose a minimum of three fixtures out of their last 4. If all this does not happen then it will be the first instance in the history of the IPL that CSK will not be going to the playoffs.

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