Despite a thrashing win against the Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL 2008 champions, the Rajasthan Royals, are presently sixth in the league rankings with 12 points. However, their chances of making the playoffs were dashed by a humiliating loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, in which they were swept out for 59 runs, the third-lowest total in IPL history. With only one game left in the league round against the Punjab Kings on May 19, they must win to collect 14 points and keep their playoff aspirations alive.
Three clubs are currently equal on 12 points; however, PBKS and RCB have two games remaining, while RR has only one. To have a chance of making the playoffs, RR would need both PBKS and RCB to lose their next two games, allowing them to leapfrog PBKS with a win. They would also hope that the Kolkata Knight Riders do not win or lose one of their next two games, giving them a one-point advantage.
However, with one game remaining, the Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants have 14 and 13 points, respectively. The two teams will face off on May 16, with the winner moving up to third place, making it difficult for teams below them to qualify. In that situation, RR hopes that whoever wins the game loses their last match, and that whoever loses the game also loses their next game. MI’s final game will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while LSG’s final game will be against KKR.
Another benefit for RR is that they have a net run rate of +0.140, which implies that if they win convincingly against PBKS in their next game, they will have an advantage if multiple teams are tied at 14 points at the end of the league stage.
Overall, the Rajasthan Royals’ chances of making the playoffs are reliant on the results of the remaining matches. While they must win their final match, they must also have favorable results in previous matches involving the teams above them. It remains to be seen whether they can turn things around and make the playoffs.
