Mumbai Indians emerged victorious against Royal Challengers Bangalore yesterday in a top of the table clash. With this MI has moved on to 16 points in the table with a healthy NRR of +1.19 while RCB on the other side stays at number 2 position in the points table with a decent NRR of +0.05.
Who looks favorite to make it to the playoffs?
With this victory, MI look pretty sure in qualifying for the playoffs as they are the only team who can reach a maximum of 20 points from here on, if they win both their remaining games, even if they fail to win either of them, they still have a chance to qualify thanks to their outrageous NRR.
RCB would have surely liked to win this game which would have taken them to the top and given them breathing space but still they would be happy that they have a decent lead over the other teams in the middle of the table. They would be wary of 3rd place Delhi Capitals though. With whom they have a match remaining to be played. That match may well prove to be a battle of the 2nd and the 3rd spot.
Delhi Capitals, just like RCB have 7 wins and 5 losses with a slightly inferior NRR to RCB, thanks to their dismal performance against SRH. Their 3 back to back losses is bound to hit them badly. They would just be hoping that hereon they play their A-game and enter the playoffs without any further drama.
KXIP, who probably has made the mother of all comebacks find themselves in the fourth position, owing to their stellar 5 back to back wins. Kings edge KKR on NRR. They certainly look the most in-form team at the moment where every player is coming up with a performance. If they go on to win both their remaining games and KKR fail to win either of their 2 games, the Kings would be sailing through to the playoffs.
KKR has to win and have to win big, that would be their only motto after having been outplayed by KXIP. If they manage to do so, it would be some journey.
SRH and RR both are sailing in the same boat with each of them sitting at 10 points. They could reach a maximum of 14 points each and hope for other results to go their way. SRH has one distinct advantage over all teams except MI may be and that is their solid NRR of +0.40.
If 3 teams get tied on 14 points with SRH being one of them, expect them to make it to the playoffs.
Which team has been eliminated?
CSK with just 4 wins (8 points) remains the only team to have been eliminated after the completion of 48 matches in the tournament.
Our picks for playoffs?
- Mumbai Indians
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Kings XI Punjab
- Delhi Capitals
Dark Horse: David Warner’s SRH for some strange reason is giving us a vibe that they maybe gatecrashing someone’s party and would enter the playoffs.
