The race for the semi-finals

Cricinfo looks at where the teams stand and what they need to do to qualify for the semi-finals

George Binoy15-May-2009.Royal Challengers Bangalore need to win both their remaining games to have a chance•Associated PressTeam: Delhi DaredevilsPoints/ Net run-rate: 16/ +0.362Matches remaining: 4Opponents: Punjab, Rajasthan, Bangalore, MumbaiBarring a drastic change in form for the worse, Delhi are all but in the
semi-finals. They are No. 1, four points clear of the team in fourth place, with a
match in hand over four teams and two games in hand over the others. Even if they
lose all their remaining games – an improbable event considering three are against
opponents in the bottom half of the league – Delhi will still be in the running for
a semi-final spot. Only if several permutations and combinations fall into place
will Delhi be knocked out. A victory in any of the games will seal their spot.Team: Chennai Super KingsPoints/ Net run-rate: 13/ +1.070Matches remaining: 3Opponents: Mumbai, Kolkata, PunjabChennai looked set to steam into the semi-finals, having won five games in a row,
before their winning streak ended unexpectedly against Bangalore. The close defeat
has left Chennai vulnerable but they have a game in hand over three other semi-final
contenders. Their next match is against Mumbai, who also have a chance of making the
semi-finals, and a defeat will leave Chennai needing to win their last two games in
order to make it comfortably.Team: Rajasthan RoyalsPoints/ Net run-rate: 13/ -0.329Matches remaining: 2Opponents: Delhi, KolkataTheir campaign hasn’t been as strong as that of last season, but Rajasthan are still
in the running for a berth in the semi-finals. The simplest route for them would be
to win both their remaining matches in order to avoid depending too much on results
of other games and the net run-rate, which is quite poor at the moment. However, one of
their matches is against Delhi and should they lose, they will need to beat Kolkata
convincingly and hope other results go their way.Team: Deccan ChargersPoints/ Net run-rate: 12/ +0.292Matches remaining: 3Opponents: Kolkata, Punjab, BangaloreHad Deccan not collapsed so dramatically against Delhi, their chances of making the
semi-finals would have been much stronger than they are at present. Deccan are
clinging on to one of the top four spots at the moment and need to win at least two of their last
three games. However, the fact that two of their games are against the bottom-most
teams gives them a better chance of qualifying. Besides, they have a game in hand
over Rajasthan, Bangalore and Mumbai as well.Team: Royal Challengers BangalorePoints/ Net run-rate: 12/ +0.292Matches remaining: 2Opponents: Delhi, DeccanBangalore kept their semi-final hopes alive by pulling off an upset victory against
Chennai. However, they have only two games to play and need to win both,
against Delhi and Deccan, to have a chance.Should Rajasthan lose against Delhi, they will need to beat Kolkata convincingly and hope other results go their way•Associated PressTeam: Mumbai IndiansPoints/ Net run-rate: 11/ +0.483Matches remaining: 2Opponents: Chennai, DelhiThe match against Rajasthan Royals was Mumbai’s big chance of making a strong push
for the semi-finals. They blew it, though, and are now faced with the tough task of
winning their last two games in order to qualify while keeping an eye on net
run-rate. What makes it harder is that Mumbai’s final games are against Chennai and
Delhi, the top two teams at present.Team: Kings XI PunjabPoints/ Net run-rate: 10/ -0.570Matches remaining: 3Opponents: Delhi, Deccan, ChennaiThe probability of Punjab repeating last season’s performance of making the semis is
extremely low. They are currently second from the bottom in the league and even if they win all three of their remaining games they will only be level with Delhi on points,
provided the tournament leaders lose all of their last four matches. However, the likelihood of Punjab winning all three games, which are against teams in the top four, is low. A defeat against Delhi today will virtually knock them out.Team: Kolkata Knight RidersPoints/ Net run-rate: 3/ -1.042Matches remaining: 3Opponents: Deccan, Chennai, RajasthanKolkata were the first team to drop out of contention for the semi-finals and
they’ve had a horrible season, with only one win from 11 matches. They are
definitely going home but have the opportunity to take a few teams down with them.
Their last three matches are of immense importance to their opponents who are all in
the running for the semi-finals.