Scenarios For Kolkata Knight Riders To Make It To The Playoffs

Kolkata Knight Riders, on Sunday, finally got back to winning ways in the ongoing season of IPL with a fighting 34-run win over Mumbai Indians. Prior to their latest win, the Knight Riders had lost six games on the trot including four back-to-back at home. It was a run feast at the iconic stadiums but the Knight Riders managed to see off a stunning onslaught from Hardik Pandya and register a much-needed win.

Put in to bat first, the Knight Riders scored a mammoth 232 for 2 – the highest total of this year. Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill led the foundation for the big total by adding 96 runs for the first wicket. Lynn was the first to go after he scored 54 from 29 balls. Gill and promoted Andre Russell then went on to cause mayhem with the bat to power the Knight Riders to a record total. While Gill scored 76 off 45 balls, Russell remained unbeaten on 80 from 40 balls.

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In reply, Mumbai Indians were looking all out of the contest after losing 5 for just 58 in the ninth over. However, Hardik Pandya scored his career-best 91 from just 34 balls to revive the chase. But the Knight Riders eventually restricted Mumbai to 198 for 7. With the win, Knight Riders moved to fifth spot. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians remained third in the points table with 7 wins.

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With just two games remaining for the Knight Riders now, we take a look at how can they make it to the next round.

Remaining fixtures: vs Kings XI Punjab (A), May 3; vs Mumbai Indians (A), May 5

Outcome if Kolkata Knight Riders win both their remaining fixtures:

If the Dinesh Karthik-led side win both their remaining games, they would end the league phase with 14 points. There is a big possibility that they would end up on the same points with quite a number of teams. In such a case, the Net Run Rate will make the difference.

In another scenario, if they win the two games and Sunrisers Hyderabad lose to Mumbai and Royal Challengers Bangalore while Rajasthan Royals lose to either or both Royal Challengers and Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders can qualify with 14 points not relying on NRR.

What if Kolkata Knight Riders finish on 12 points:

Even if the Knight Riders finish with six wins, they can make it to the next round. For that, it they beat Mumbai Indians and lose to Kings XI, they would need Sunrisers to lose to both Mumbai and Royal Challengers, Royals lose to at least one of RCB or DC and Chennai Super Kings to beat Kings XI. In that case, Knight Riders will be tied on 12 points with more than one team and a positive NRR will help their passage into the playoffs.

Can Not Express My Gratitude Enough To Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner