There is no doubt about the fact that Royal Challengers Bangalore have played some horrendous cricket in the Vivo IPL 12 which has resulted in RCB languishing at the bottom of the points table. However, there is still an outside which might see Royal Challengers Bangalore make it to the playoffs. Bangalore still has a couple of matches left and without a doubt, they need to win both their remaining games by big margins to harbour hopes of going through to the playoffs.

If they win the remaining two matches it will give them 12 points. However, they have to pray for the fact that both Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad lose their remaining matches. It will mean Rajasthan Royals will reach 12 points only if they beat the Delhi Capitals in their final game. The 2^nd scenario is that the Sunrisers Hyderabad need to lose their match against the Mumbai Indians on 2^nd May. This will mean SRH will also finish on 12 points at the end of the league stages.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders — Royal Challengers Bangalore Photo by: Prashant Bhoot /SPORTZPICS for BCCI

The match between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders will be an important match for both the teams. However, the team winning this particular clash must lose their final group game. While Kings XI Punjab will play their last home game against the Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders will meet the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The winner of KKR vs KXIP match will have 12 points while the loser will finish on 10 or 12 points depending on the result of their final clash. However, Royal Challengers Bangalore first needs to win their remaining two matches which will at least keep them in the hunt.

Sunrisers need to lose their final two matches, Rajasthan Royals need to beat the Kings XI, either KKR or KXIP whoever wins the game between them must lose their final game. In that case, five teams Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders will finish on 12 points. If that’s the case, then the net run rate will decide the last team for the playoffs berth.

Royal Challengers Bangalore not only needs to win their next two games but need to win it handsomely as their net run rate is the lowest (-0.694). Hence they need to win by big margins and hopes their rivals lose their last games by big margins.