This is undoubtedly the most important week of the Indian Premier League 2020. This week will decide which teams would go to the next level and which would have to bid adieu to UAE. Interestingly, nothing has been confirmed yet. Even the table topper cannot claim to be in the top four based on the other standings. A lot will depend on Net Run Rate with a chance of multiple teams finishing with the same number of points.
Out of the seven teams, apart from Chennai Super Kings all have a fair chance to secure playoff berths. Chennai Super Kings, after managing just eight points from 12 games, are officially out of the league. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have 12 points each and they cannot take any game casually anymore.
So here's how the table looks as of this moment! #Dream11IPL #MI #RCB #mivsrcb #CSK #RR #SRH #KXIP #KKR #DC #cricketnews pic.twitter.com/B008wdweJi
— Cricket News (@cricketnews_com) October 29, 2020
The 7th team on the table, Rajasthan Royals will play their last two matches against two teams who are in very similar positions in the points table. Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders are on 12 points, only separated by Net Run Rate. If the Royals lose even one match against these opponents, that particular team will accumulate 14 points and Rajasthan royals will be out of the equation. For RR, to qualify for the playoffs they need to beat both teams and also hope to improve the NRR sufficiently as quite a few teams are expected to finish with the same points.
Sunrisers Hyderabad stand at 6th now and they have two tough matches scheduled in the upcoming days against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Just like the Royals, even they have to win both their remaining fixtures to be able to remain in the race with 14 points.
Source: Twitter (IPL)
Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab have the exact same fixtures planned with one match against Chennai Super Kings and one against Rajasthan Royals. To qualify, KKR will like to win both matches and hope the Punjab side lose at least one. Otherwise, they have to improve their Net Run Rate significantly so that in case of ties they can surpass other teams based on NRR. If they win only one match and reach 14 points, they have to depend on other results.
Kings XI Punjab also have a very similar story to KKR and hence if they can seal wins in both their remaining matches, they will qualify because of a better NRR. But again, if they lose one, they also have to look at other games scheduled for the week.
Source: Twitter (IPL)
Delhi Capitals are currently going through a tough phase as they had to face three consecutive defeats. However, one win out of their remaining matches will take them to 16 points. The Net Run Rate will come into consideration then in case Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab can secure 16 points each as well. If the Capitals win both their matches, they will definitely finish in the top two.
On the other hand, with Wednesday’s loss, Royal Challengers Bangalore missed a golden chance to be in a relatively safer position. Now the Virat Kohli-led side would hope to win at least one match and wish KKR or KXIP lose one of their matches. If RCB win both, they will surely qualify but if they lose both they will have to wait for other outcomes.
Source: Twitter (IPL)
Mumbai Indians, after yesterday’s win with 16 points are in the best position to qualify for the playoffs. But with the competitive nature of this year’s IPL, they are still not officially qualified. However, a loss for either KKR or KXIP on Thursday or Friday will effectively work for Mumbai Indians as well and they could qualify to the next stage even before playing their next match. Even if that doesn’t happen, Mumbai Indians have to register only one win out of their remaining two matches for the top two finish.