IPL 2019: Scenarios for all teams ahead of the final day of league matches

Fight for the 4th spot

Kings XI Punjab

If the Kings XI Punjab bats first against the Chennai Super Kings, they would be needed to win by at least 251 runs which is 12 less than the highest total ever recorded in the IPL. The top three of Chris Gayle, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran is capable of registering the first ever 300+ total in Twenty20 cricket against mediocre bowling of CSK that too on a flat track.

However, bundling out the Super Kings under 50-60 runs will be the biggest challenge. It is highly impossible for the Kings XI to thump SRH’s NRR if they bowl first. Even in case of KXIP doing the unthinkable, all these efforts go in vain if KKR defeats MI later in the night game. RCB’s 263/5 in the 2013 season against PWI is the only instance of a team even posting 250+ in the league.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The focus of Sunrisers will be on the game between MI and KKR in Wankhede on Sunday night. An MI win is all that the Kane Williamson-led team need to qualify for the playoffs. Kings XI also have a chance of threatening SRH but only in case of them defeating CSK by a margin as high as 251 runs.

Clash for the top two positions

Chennai Super Kings

For Chennai Super Kings to finish in top two, they need to win their last game against Kings XI Punjab or hope that the Mumbai Indians lose to the Kolkata Knight Riders later in the day. However, CSK can still finish in the top even if KXIP and MI win their respective matches.

In this case, the Super Kings shouldn’t lose by 42 or more runs while chasing a target or let the Kings XI chase down the target they set with more than 33 balls to spare. They need to keep their margin of defeat in check as a big defeat could bring their NRR under that of Delhi Capitals.