Gujarat Titans's crushing win over Delhi Capitals on Sunday sealed a play-off spot for not only the Shubman Gill-led side but also for Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
GT are now at the top of the table with nine wins and three losses in 12 matches. RCB and PBKS are a point behind GT with eight wins, three losses and one no result. The three teams are ensured a finish in top four now even if they all lose their their remaining two games.
One of Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants will take the remaining spot.
MI have 12 points with six wins and six losses while DC have 11 points with five wins, six losses and a no result. LSG have five wins and six losses but they also have a game in hand.
IPL Play-offs Scenarios After DC vs GT
MI Play-offs scenario
In the current scenario, the MI vs DC clash on May 21 becomes a must win game for both the sides.
If MI beat DC in that match, then the Capitals' hopes of making into the top four will end and Mumbai will almost seal the deal. Almost because if MI lose their last league game and LSG manage to win all their remaining three matches, both teams will finish at 16 points.
In that case, net run rate will come into play but on that metric LSG are far behind MI who have a tournament best net run rate of +1.156. On the other hand, LSG have a net run rate of -0.469. So, MI beating DC confirms the top four in all likelihood.
If MI lose to DC then they will have to win their last league game and hope for DC to lose their last league match.
Delhi Capitals Play-offs scenario
For DC, the equation is simple: win both remaining games. If they do that, they qualify. If they lose against MI, they will be out of the race to top four. However, if they beat MI but lose their final league stage game against PBKS they would still be in with a chance provided MI also lose their last league game and LSG lose one of their remaining three matches.
LSG Play-offs Scenario
LSG will need a miraculous end to their league stage campaign to make the top four. Even if they win all of their remaining three games, their extremely poor net run rate gives them only a mathematical chance to qualify for the play-offs.
The net run rate will not come into play if DC beat MI but lose to PBKS and MI, after losing to DC, also lose to PBKS. If both of these things happen and LSG win all their three games, they will qualify as the fourth best side.
If MI beat DC on May 21, LSG will only be left with a mathematical chance.
If the Rishabh Pant-led side loses any of their remaining three games, they will be out.
