IPL knockouts scenarios: Who can finish in top-four and how

Here's how things stand after match 48 of the Indian Premier League 2016 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders and what teams need to do to progress further.

Sun Risers Hyderabad (Points 16; NRR +0.400)

Matches left:
Vs Delhi Daredevils, Raipur, 20 May 2015
Vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata, 22 May 2015

If they win both their remaining matches, they will definitely finish in the top two.

If they win at least one of their remaining two games, they will qualify and also have a fair chance of ending in the top two, thanks to their positive net run rate of 0.400.

They can still qualify if they lose both their remaining games but whether they end up in the top two will be dependent on the other results.

The only possible way they can get eliminated is if they lose both their games very badly and lose out on a net run rate scenario.

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Kolkata Knight Riders (Points 14; NRR +0.280)

Matches left:
Vs Gujarat Lions, Kanpur, 19 May 2015
Vs Sun Risers Hyderabad, Kolkata, 22 May 2015

If they win both their remaining matches, their qualification is confirmed though the final standing will depend on other results.

They can go through with a single win but it might dent their chances to end in the top two as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils can pip them on points.

In case they lose their remaining games, it might come down to a net run-rate shootout with other teams that have 14 points.

Also read: Sunrisers stay on top

Gujarat Lions (Points 14; NRR -0.747)

Matches left:
Vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kanpur, 19 May 2015
Vs Mumbai Indians, Kanpur, 21 May 2015

If they win both their remaining matches, they will definitely qualify and a top two finish will depend on other results as their net run rate is a dismal -0.747.

They can go through with a solitary win in the remaining two matches but are almost sure to miss out the top two berths because of their negative net run rate.

In the event of them losing their remaining matches, they can go through if Delhi Daredevils lose at least two and Royal Challengers Bangalore lose one of their remaining games. The margin of these defeats should be very heavy as their net run rate is a lot lower than both Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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Mumbai Indians (Points 14; NRR -0.082)

Matches left:
Vs Gujarat Lions, Kanpur, 21 May 2015

Even if they win their game against Gujarat Lions, their progress will depend on the results of Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

If they lose to Gujarat Lions, the best they can finish is at fourth spot provided Daredevils lose at least two and Royal Challengers lose one of their remaining matches. However, Mumbai Indians's net run rate is below both these teams.

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Delhi Daredevils (Points 12; NRR -0.038)

Matches left:
Vs Rising Pune Supergiants, Vizag, 17 May 2015
Vs Sun Risers Hyderabad, Raipur, 20 May 2015
Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Raipur, 22 May 2015

If they win all their remaining games, they are guaranteed qualification but a top two finish will depend on the results of SRH and KKR in their remaining games.

If they lose even one of their remaining matches out of three, it might come down to net run rate shootout.

If they lose all their remaining matches, they stand eliminated.

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (Points 12; NRR +0.640)

Matches left:
Vs Kings XI Punjab, Bangalore, 18 May 2015
Vs Delhi Daredevils, Raipur, 22 May 2015

If they win both their remaining matches, they finish with 16 points and are almost certain to go through thanks to their superior run rate of +0.640.

If they lose one match, their progress will get stifled considerably though a superior positive net run rate might come to their aid in case of a tie at 14 points.

If they lose both their remaining matches, they will get eliminated.

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Kings XI Punjab (Points 8; NRR -0.371)

Matches left:
Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bangalore, 18 May 2015
Vs Rising Pune Supergiants, Vizag, 21 May 2015

Sunday's loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad signaled the end of another unsuccessful tournament for KXIP. If they win both their games, they have an outside chance of ending up sixth in the table.

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Rising Pune Supergiants (Points 6; NRR -0.078)

Matches left:
Vs Delhi Daredevils, Vizag, 17 May 2015
Vs Kings XI Punjab, Vizag, 21 May 2015

With just six points from 12 matches, the Supergiants are eliminated from the tournament. If they win both their matches, they can finish seventh on the table.

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