IPL 2019: Here's how RCB can still qualify for the playoffs

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), after their poor start to the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), needed to win their last six matches to even stay in the contention. They did well by winning three games on the bounce but went down fighting against the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday. Their hopes to qualify for the playoffs were crashed and though disappointed Virat Kohli was proud of his boys for fighting till the end.

However, there is still a twist in this tale. RCB and their love affairs with the qualification scenarios is known to everyone. And mathematically, they can still make it to the playoffs this season. With the final week of the league stages set to begin on Monday, they obviously need to win both their remaining games which will take RCB to 12 points after 14 matches.

Now, apart from their matches, the results of five out of six games should go according to RCB’s expectations for them to stay in the hunt.

Scenarios

It is absolutely clear that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) have qualified for the playoffs now. Mumbai Indians (MI) too, with 14 points to their name, look set to go through and it will be good for RCB if these three teams keep winnings their matches against the lower ranked sides in this week.

While the likes of SRH and KXIP as well as KKR shouldn’t cross the 12-point mark, the results of the other matches depend on who wins the game on Monday to be played in Hyderabad. For RCB, it will be better if the Kane Williamson-led side doesn’t win any more games as their net run-rate is superior among eight teams and it is near impossible for RCB to get the better of them in terms of a tie in points.

If the results go according to the requirements and RCB manage to win one of their games by a higher margin to get the superior net run-rate, they can still qualify for the playoffs by staying at the fourth position. However, it seems to be a miracle to make all this happen but definitely, RCB are down and but still not out.

Here’s the scenario:

Match 48 – April 29: SRH vs KXIP – KXIP

Match 49 – April 30: RCB vs RR – RCB

Match 50 – May 1: CSK vs DC – CSK/DC

Match 51 – May 2: MI vs SRH – MI

Match 52 – May 3: KXIP vs KKR – KKR

Match 53 – May 4: DC vs RR – DC

Match 54 – May 4: RCB vs SRH – RCB

Match 55 – May 5: KXIP vs CSK – CSK

Match 56 – May 5: MI vs KKR – MI

The above match results will leave either DC or CSK with 20 points and MI with 18 points and these three teams will conquer the top three positions. RCB, KXIP and KKR will be tied at 12 points and the team with a better NRR will qualify for the playoffs.

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