IPL 2019: Here's how five teams can beat each other for two playoffs spots

With eight games left in the group stages of VIVO Indian Premier League 2019 (IPL 2019), it is still undecided who will seal the IPL playoffs spot. Five teams -- Mumbai Indians (MI), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) -- are fighting it out for the last two slots in the playoffs with Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) already through with 16 points each from their respective 12 games.

Kings XI Punjab. Photo: PTI

KXIP playoffs chances

Out of the five teams, Rohit Sharma led-MI stand slightly ahead with 14 points from 12 games. The other four teams all have 10 points apiece. But Kolkata and Rajasthan are on the backfoot as they have played 12 games as compared to SRH and KXIP's 11. So, while KKR and RR must win all their remaining matches to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot, SRH and KXIP have more room to play with.

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RCB IPL playoffs chances

The only team which is all but out of the tournament is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Even though they still have a mathematical chance with 8 points from 12 games, skipper Virat Kohli made it clear that for them the last two games are about going out and expressing themselves.
 

Steve Smith playing a shot. Photo: PTI

RR IPL playoffs chances

But the likes of Rohit Sharma (MI), Dinesh Karthik (KKR), Ravichandran Ashwin (KXIP), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) and Steve Smith (RR) have everything to play for in the remaining games. Interestingly, Steve Smith's Royals will take on Kohli's RCB on Tuesday and the boys from Rajasthan must win to stay in contention.

Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians. Photo: PTI

Mumbai Indians IPL 2019 playoffs chances

For MI, the best part is that both their last two games are at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and skipper Rohit will look to drive home the advantage against both SRH and KKR. KXIP, which take on SRH in Hyderabad on Monday, also play their last two games at home against KKR and CSK.

Kane Williamson. Photo: PTI

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2019 playoffs chances
 
Hyderabad, meanwhile, have two games away after playing their last home game on Monday. They will battle it out against a confident MI in their own backyard before playing an out of contention RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 4.

Kolkata Knight Riders. Photo: PTI

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2019 playoffs chances

Kolkata also play both their remaining games away from home. But then, the conditions at the Eden Gardens didn't help their case much and the wicket or conditions wouldn't be a concern for KKR as they first play KXIP in Mohali before heading to Mumbai for the final game. Rajasthan too will be playing both their games away from home -- in Bengaluru and then in the national capital.
 
All in all, it will be a battle of nerves as five teams look to give it their best to squeeze into the remaining two slots in the race for a top-four finish and a chance to lift the IPL 2019 title.