IPL 2018 play-off scenario: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab game potential decider

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s massive 10-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab has kept them alive in the race for the play-offs. The margin of defeat has heavily hurt Ravichandran Ashwin’s side, which has slipped from third to fifth.

The game between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders will have a massive impact on the games on Wednesday and Thursday between Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab and between Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad.

This is how the result of the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals game will influence the play-off chances of teams like Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in addition to the two mentioned teams.

Kolkata Knight Riders

P-12, W-6, L-6, Points- 12

If KKR win: A win in both games seals their spot in the knock-out stage. They will finish either third or fourth, depending upon NRR. They can even finish second, provided Chennai Super Kings lose both their games by a heavy margin.

If KKR lose: A loss to Rajasthan Royals makes them last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad a must-win. A victory in one out of two games means they will have to hope Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore do not win two games. If they lose both games, they will be eliminated.

READ | IPL 2018: Dinesh Karthik shines bright in inconsistent Kolkata Knight Riders batting

Rajasthan Royals

P-12, W-6, L-6, Points-12

If RR win: Victory in both games seals their play-off spot. They can go as high as second provided Chennai Super Kings lose both matches against Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab by a heavy margin.

If RR lose: Their last game against Royal Challengers Bangalore is a shoot-out. A victory in one out of two games means they will have to hope Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore do not win two games. A loss in both games will eliminate them.

Kings XI Punjab

P-12, W-6,L-6, Points – 12

If KXIP win: A win in their last two games seals their spot in the play-offs. Victory against Mumbai Indians in their next encounter knocks Rohit Sharma’s side out.

If KXIP lose: If KXIP lose one out of two games, they have to hope Mumbai Indians lose to Delhi Daredevils and that Royal Challengers Bangalore lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad and beat Rajasthan Royals. If KXIP lose both games, they will be eliminated.

READ | IPL 2018: Mumbai Indians in do-or-die clash with Kings XI Punjab

Mumbai Indians

P-12, W-5, L-7, Points-10

If MI win: They keep their play-off chances alive. If they win both games, they must hope Kings XI Punjab lose to Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad and that Rajasthan Royals lose to Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

If MI lose: Rohit Sharma’s side will be out of the play-off race.

READ | Ravichandran Ashwin backs Kings XI Punjab batsmen to come good at ‘big moments’

Royal Challengers Bangalore

P-12, W-5,L-7, Points: 10

If RCB win: They must win both their games to stay in contention. They will have to hope Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals and that Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab and lose to Delhi Daredevils. If MI and RCB win both games and RR, KKR, KXIP win one out of their two remaining games, then NRR will come into the equation.

If RCB lose: They will be eliminated from the play-off race.