IPL 2018: KKR, RR, KXIP, MI & RCB vying for two remaining Play-Off spots, here's how they can qualify

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 has well and truly reached its business end. The Play-Offs are near and the teams are scrambling to secure a spot. After 48 matches, we have just two teams that have qualified to the knock-outs - Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

With Delhi Daredevils (DD) being the only team out of contention, we're left with five teams vying for the final two Play-Off berths. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are all in with a shot. Albeit, in varying proportions.

Here is the IPL 2018 points table after Match 48

Beginning Tuesday, there are two league matches that each of the eight teams will play. Needless to say, each game holds great importance. Let's have a look at what each of the five teams in contention need to qualify for the Play-Offs.

Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR are third in the table with 12 points. They looked like they were sliding after consecutive defeats against Mumbai, but made a strong statement of intent by posting 245 against Punjab en route a victory. A win versus Rajasthan on Tuesday will be a huge step forward for the Dinesh Karthik-led side. If they lose, they have to win their final game against SRH and hope either RR or KXIP lose in the last round of league matches. KKR must get to 14 points, but a week Net Run-Rate (NRR) could prove detrimental if MI or RCB move up.

Rajsthan Royals

They were at the bottom of the table just a week ago, but victories in their three games has propelled them to fourth position with 12 points. Like KKR, Rajasthan will be hoping to win their final two games and ensuring qualification. A win against KKR on Tuesday is crucial, but Ajinkya Rahane's side can afford a loss if they manage to trounce RCB in their last league game and Kings XI lose one of their two remaining matches. Even then, NRR could be the deciding factor. Jos Buttler's form is critical for RR going forward. The Englishman has been in stellar form this season, and the fate of his team depends greatly on him.

Kings XI Punjab

They looked like serious contenders in the early stages of the season. But five losses in six games has completely derailed Punjab's campaign. Despite being fifth in the table with 12 points, they have the worst NRR among the eight teams. The ten-wicket defeat by RCB adding greatly to that embarrassment. This means Ravichandran Ashwin's men must win both their remaining games. For a single defeat could ensure their NRR holds them back.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai's campaigns tend to run on similar lines. They start slowly, only to pick up pace at just the right time. This seemed to be the case this time around too. MI won just one of their first six games, but ended up winning four of their next five. A crushing defeat against RR in their last game, however, pegged them back severely. The Rohit Sharma-led side are sixth on the points table with 10 points at the moment. They have to win their last two league games against Punjab and Delhi. The fact that they have the best NRR in the table will help immensely. But even that, along with two more victories, does not guarantee them a Play-Off berth. The defending champs will still rely on other results to be favourable.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

With just two rounds of league games left, it's odd to be discussing the qualification chances of a team placed second last on the table. But such has been the drama in IPL 2018. The ten-wicket win against Punjab on Sunday took RCB's NRR from -0.261 to 0.218. Virat Kohli's team must win their remaining games against SRH and RR, which will push them to 14 points. They then have to hope that two among KKR, RR and KXIP lose at least one of their remaining games. At the end of it all, just like Mumbai, RCB's fate could be decided by NRR.