IPL 2019: Playoffs chances - What does each team requires to do to make it to final four

With the league stage coming to an end on May 5, here is what each team needs to do to make it to playoffs.

The league stage of the ongoing IPL 2019 will come to an end by May 5 and there are only a handful of matches left as the race for the final four teams in the playoffs is getting heated match-by-match. Unlike the previous season, each of the eight teams is in the race for the playoffs with matchups getting exciting.

The playoffs of the IPL 2019 will begin from May 7 with Qualifier 1 in Chennai; Eliminator on May 8 in Vizag and Qualifier 2 on May 10 also in Vizag. The final will be played on May 12 in Hyderabad.

Keeping in consideration the performances of each of the team and their remaining matches, let's have a look at the playoff scenario for them and what these teams need to do to make it to the final four of the tournaments.

Chennai Super Kings (11 Matches, 16 points)

Chennai Super Kings are the only team which looks certain to make it into the playoffs. The Chennai based franchise has always made it into the final four in their 10 years of existence in the league and this year seems to be no different. The only question remains is where they will finish in the table.

Their next match is against MI on Friday at home and a win here will ensure a top two spot with 18 points. In their nine IPL appearances, CSK has finished in the top four each time with a top-two finish in five instances. This means they go on to play Qualifier 1 and have two shots at making the final.

In a far existing scenario, if CSK loses all there three matches, we could have multiple teams ending with 16 points on the table and then the net run rate will come into play.

Remaining matches: vs Mumbai Indians (April 26; Chennai), vs Delhi Capitals (May 1; Chennai), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 5; Mohali)

Delhi Capitals (11 Matches, 14 points)

Delhi Capitals is on a ride of a lifetime here, as they seem to be close to realizing their dream of making it into the playoffs after 7 years. The last time they made it to the top four was in 2012 under their previous moniker Delhi Daredevils. 

Two of their remaining three matches are against the bottom-placed RR and RCB, and a win against either of them can assure them of final four finish. But both these teams are on a winning streak and the matches will be played in Delhi, where DC has struggled to win this season.

Remaining matches: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 28; Delhi), vs Chennai Super Kings (May 1; Chennai), vs Rajasthan Royals (May 4; Delhi)

Mumbai Indians (10 Matches, 12 points)
Mumbai Indians might have won 6 matches, but they have also kept the net run rate in check as their's is the second best in IPL 2019 at the moment. Two of their remaining games is against KKR, against whom they boast of an 18-5 head-to-head record and with KKR on a six-match losing streak, MI fancies their chances. MI will also face a Warner-Bairstow less SRH at home and things look good for Rohit Sharma-led team.
Remaining matches: vs Chennai Super Kings (April 26; Chennai), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (April 28; Kolkata), vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 2; Mumbai), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 5; Mumbai)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (10 Matches, 10 points)
Sunrisers Hyderabad has had a very indifferent season which was bolstered by David Warner and Jonny Bairstow’s opening partnership. But with Bairstow gone and Warner to leave shortly, SRH needs to look at options who can continue their momentum in the remaining matches. They have Warner for two matches and these two matches should be targeted by SRH to ensure four points and solidify their position on the points table.  

Remaining matches: vs Rajasthan Royals (April 27; Jaipur), vs Kings XI Punjab (April 29; Hyderabad), vs Mumbai Indians (May 2; Mumbai), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 4; Bengaluru)

Kings XI Punjab (11 Matches, 10 points)
Kings XI Punjab team has lost all the momentum thanks to some lackluster performances both at home and away. After winning four of six matches at the start of the season, KXIP has lost four in next five. But they will have an outside chance to make it to playoffs when they face an equally dismal KKR at home, along with CSK and SRH in an away match.

Remaining matches: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 29; Hyderabad), vs Kolkata Knight Riders (May 3; Mohali), vs Chennai Super Kings (April 5; Mohali)

Kolkata Knight Riders (11 Matches, 8 points)
Kolkata Knight Riders are reverse mirroring Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL 2019 journey. RCB lost six matches on trot at the start, while KKR won their first four matches. Now RCB is on a winning streak, while KKR has slipped in sis of their last six matches. Dependence on Russell and fast bowling woes have left KKR needing to win all of their remaining three matches. They have two against MI, who has a brilliant record against them, it seems an outside chance that KKR might make into the final four.

Remaining matches: vs Mumbai Indians (April 28; Kolkata), vs Kings XI Punjab (May 3; Mohali), vs Mumbai Indians (May 5; Mumbai)

Rajasthan Royals (11 Matches, 8 points)
RR need to win their remaining three matches of having an outside chance at making the playoffs. Apart from winning these matches, RR will have to rely on the other results – CSK, MI, and DC winning theirs. They can find solace in the fact that one of their remaining matches is against RCB, fellow table bottomers.

Remaining matches: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (April 27; Jaipur), vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (April 30; Bengaluru), vs Delhi Capitals (May 4; Delhi)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (11 Matches, 8 points)
Like RR, RCB also needs to win their remaining three matches to stand an outside chance. And again, they would have to hope that CSK, MI, and DC win their games too to ruin chances for the remaining contenders.

Remaining matches: vs Delhi Capitals (April 28, Delhi); vs Rajasthan Royals (April 30; Bengaluru), vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 4, Bengaluru)