Because of their poor net run rates, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals might need to do more than finish on 14 points to make the playoffs

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2018
If KKR win: They will be closer to qualification on 14 points with a game left, but not yet assured of a playoff spot. While KKR’s net run rate is better than the two other teams on 12 points – Royals and Kings XI Punjab – the two teams on 10 points after 12 games – Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore – have better NRRs. If those two teams win their two remaining games and finish on 14, along with KKR, their NRRs will be better. A loss for Royals won’t rule them out, but it will make their last league game – against RCB in Jaipur – a high-pressure contest. They will be on 12 points going into that game, while RCB could be on 10 or 12 points – depending on the result of their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad – with a better NRR. In fact, because their NRR is relatively poor (-0.347), any situation that comes down to this might not favour Royals.If Royals win: Because KKR and Royals have the same points and a negative net run rate after the same number of games, what applies to both teams – and the rest of the field – if KKR win, applies if Royals win too. So, even with a win, Royals won’t be assured of a playoff spot, because three teams could still beat them on NRRs. Similarly, a loss won’t rule out Knight Riders, but could make their final match – against Sunrisers – a must-win game.