We are in the business end of the IPL 2017, and teams are still trying to figure where they will end up after the group stages. Some of the teams' fate has already been decided, as Delhi Daredevils, Gujarat Lions and Royal Challengers Bangalore are already out of IPL 2017 Playoffs contention.
So far, Mumbai Indians are the only team that has been assured qualification.
With defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad beating Mumbai Indians on Monday, tonight's game between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders is of immense importance.
Here is a look at some Playoff scenarios, which could come into play in the last week of IPL 2017 group stages.
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)
- Presently in fifth spot with 10 points
- How can they qualify? KXIP will have to play some outstanding cricket to reach the Playoffs. They will have to win all their remaining matches against Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant, but they also need SRH to lose their last match. If SRH emerge victorious against Gujarat Lions, it does not matter even if KXIP win all three.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Presently in fourth spot with 15 points
- How can they qualify? SRH, as mentioned above, just need a victory in their last match to progress into the Playoffs. But, they will also have their eyes on the top two positions, which looks difficult, but not impossible. They can attain top two spots, if RPS and KKR lose both their remaining fixtures respectively.
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)
- Presently in third spot with 16 points
- How can they qualify? They can grab that elusive Playoffs spot with one win from their last two matches. If RPS win both their matches against Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI, they will have 20 points, which will seal their the top two spot, provided KKR lose one of their matches.
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MS Dhoni.IANS
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Presently lie on second spot with 16 points
- How can they qualify? Like RPS, KKR just need one win from their last two to make it to the Playoffs. KKR can attain the top two position if they win both their matches, but net run rate could come into play if MI beat KXIP and RPS win both their matches. In that case, top three teams will be tied on 20 points.
- If KKR lose both, they will end up with 16 points, which could lead to three-way tie for third and fourth spot, if Kings XI also win their last three matches and RPS lose both their matches too. It could boil down to net run rate.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Presently lie on first spot with 18 points
- How can they qualify? They have qualified, and have two matches in hand, against Kings XI Punjab and KKR. One win against either of the teams could see them finish in the top two, however, if MI lose both their matches, and KKR, RPS also win both, Mumbai will be out of top two.
Why the emphasis on finishing in the top two?
Teams are always in the lookout of finishing in the top two as the two franchises, who finish first and second place after the group stages will play in Qualifier 1. The loser of that match will get another crack at reaching the final as they play the winner of the third and fourth placed team in the group stages.
Summary
MI - Already qualified
KKR - One foot in, eyes on top two spot
RPS - Win one of their last two matches and seal Playoffs spot
SRH - Beat GL, and they are in the Playoffs
KXIP - Win all three and hope SRH lose their last match
GL - Eliminated
Delhi Daredevils - Eliminated
Royal Challengers Bangalore - Eliminated
