IPL 2022: 5 teams out, 2 officially in, DC must win last game to qualify - All playoffs possibilities in 5 points

IPL 2022 now, but we are still not sure what the final complexion of the last four will look like. As things stand, one team is sure to top the group stage, another is sure to finish either sole second or joint second and five are definitely out of the playoffs, leaving three teams contending for the remaining two slots. Here is how the teams stand as of Friday morning:1) MI, CSK, KKR, SRH and PBKS are out of the reckoning for playoff spots, GT are guaranteed to finish first 2) DC’s chances of making it to the top four slots on points have slipped to 50%.

Their best case scenario is to win their last game against MI and RR losing its game against CSK. Even if RR wins against CSK, DC can tie for fourth with RCB and squeak through thanks to a better net run rate. If they lose to MI, however, they will be out of the race 3) RCB’s chances of making it to one of the top four slots on points have jumped to 100% following Thursday’s win.

But, interestingly, their chances of qualification for the playoffs remain slim. Their best case scenario is that RR and DC lose to CSK and MI respectively. That would leave it tied for third at 16 points with RR.

If DC beats MI, it could turn into a three-way tie. Given RCB’s poor NRR, that would be bad news. Even if RR wins against CSK, if DC loses to MI, RCB can grab fourth spot without any tie.

But if RR and DC both win their last games, the best RCB can do is joint fourth with DC, in which case it will probably lose out on NRR 4) RR are certain to finish second or third on the points table. Their best-case scenario is to win against CSK. That would leave them in joint second spot on 18 points with LSG.