Gujarat Titans (GT) have been tamed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a very important game in the context of the points table. (Match Blog)
GT's loss has made the race for the top two spots even more interesting even as the race to play-offs is over with four teams already qualified.
Let us take a look at what all the four teams now need to do to finish in the top two of the points table and get two chances to enter the final.
GT
13 matches, 18 points. Remaining match: vs CSK, May 25
The loss to LSG means the Titans have left the door open for all three teams behind them to sneak into the top two. If Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru win their remaining two games, both of them will overtake GT and occupy the top two spots.
If one of RCB or PBKS lose one of their next two games then GT can reclaim a spot in top two with a win in their only remaining match.
If GT lose their next game, then they will have to hope both RCB and PBKS also lose their remaining two games, in that scenario they can take a top two spot. However, if they lose their remaining game and one of PBKS or RCB win even one of their games, they will drop out of the top two as MI have a better net run rate than them.
RCB
12 matches, 17 points. Remaining matches: vs SRH, 23 May and vs LSG 27 May
The simplest way for RCB to claim a top two spot is to win both their remaining games. If they win one, they will have to hope either for GT to lose their remaining game or for PBKS to lose one or both their remaining two games. If PBKS and RCB finish on same points, then RCB have a two-fold advantage. First, they already have a better net run rate than PBKS. Also, the Bengaluru side will get the advantage of playing the last league game so they can calculate better if they need to overtake PBKS on net run rate.
If they lose both their remaining matches, they will not be able to finish in top two.
PBKS
12 matches, 17 points. Remaining matches: vs DC, 24 May and vs MI 26 May
Like RCB, equation for PBKS too is simple: win both their remaining games and they are ensured a top two finish.
If they lose one, then things will get tricky. They will have to hope for either GT to lose their only remaining league game or RCB to lose at least one if not both of their remaining games.
If they finish on the same number of points as RCB, they will be at a disadvantage because Bengaluru have a better net run rate and also PBKS finish their campaign before RCB.
If they lose both their remaining matches, they will not be able to finish in top two.
MI
13 matches, 16 points. Remaining match: vs PBKS, 26 May
MI have to win their remaining league stage game and then hope only one team goes ahead of 18 points, which is the maximum they can reach. So things are quite complicated for Hardik Pandya's men. If teams above them win even one more game each, they will not be able to take a top two spot.
