IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad On Verge of Reaching Play-Offs, Kolkata Knight Riders Vulnerable

The race for the play-offs has intensified heading into the final games of the league stages. Sunrisers Hyderabad are on the verge of sealing their knock-out spot while five teams are still in the fray for the remaining three spots. Here is a look at what each team must do in order to seal their spot in the play-offs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Current Position in table: 1
Matches played: 12
Points: 16
Next matches: Delhi Daredevils (May 20, Raipur), Kolkata Knight Riders (May 22, Eden Gardens)

Kolkata Knight Riders' loss to Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils loss to Rising Pune Supergiants have put Sunrisers Hyderabad one step closer to sealing a spot in the play-offs. A win against Delhi Daredevils will automatically seal their spot. However, a massive loss in their final two games against DD or KKR could result in their elimination

Gujarat Lions

Current Position in Table: 2
Matches played: 13
Points: 16
Next matches: Mumbai Indians (May 21, Kanpur)

Suresh Raina's team have been given a lifeline with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders. However, their Net Run-Rate of -0.493 is the least among all the top teams, which makes them vulnerable. Their last game against Mumbai Indians is a must-win and victory will ensure their passage to the play-offs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Current Position in Table: 3
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next match: Delhi Daredevils (May 22, Raipur)

RCB have a brilliant run-rate of +0.930, putting them in a good spot ahead of their final league game against Delhi Daredevils. However, with Gujarat Lions' victory over KKR, their task becomes slightly challenging. They must not lose their last league game against Delhi Daredevils and they must hope that Gujarat Lions defeat Mumbai Indians. Things will become easier if Sunrisers Hyderabad beat KKR. If KKR beat SRH in their last game and MI beat GL, all these four teams will be on 16 points, in which case RCB could progress because of a big NRR.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Current Position in table: 4
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next matches: Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 22, Eden Gardens)

With their loss to Gujarat Lions, KKR's final league game is a must-win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They must win big if they are to boost their Net Run Rate. If they lose to SRH, they must not lose by a big margin and hope that Gujarat Lions beat Mumbai Indians. They must pray that Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Delhi Daredevils and RCB beats DD in the last league game.

Mumbai Indians have to win their last league game against Gujarat Lions in order to have any chance of reaching the play-offs.

© BCCI

Mumbai Indians

Current Position in table: 5
Matches played: 13
Points: 14
Next match: Gujarat Lions (May 21, Kanpur)

With Gujarat Lions' win over KKR, Mumbai Indians face a must-win game. They must win against GL and hope DD defeat RCB and KKR lose to SRH. If all these results happen, MI could seal their spot in the knock-outs.

Delhi Daredevils

Current Position in Table: 6
Matches played: 12
Points: 12
Next matches: Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 20), Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 22)

The loss against RPS has definitely hurt Delhi Daredevils. With Gujarat Lions' victory, their chances have dwindled. A loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad will see them exit the play-off race. They must win against SRH and RCB while they have to hope Mumbai Indians lose to Gujarat Lions.