IPL 2017 play-offs: Shoot-out for 4th spot between RPS and KXIP

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) became the second team to seal a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 play-offs after they defeated Gujarat Lions (GL). In the second game between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders lost by nine runs but qualified for the knock-outs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad joined Mumbai Indians in the IPL play-offs after defeating Gujarat Lions by eight wickets to finish with 17 points. In the second game of the day, Mumbai Indians defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by nine runs to seal the top spot in the points table and have two chances of qualifying for the final. However, with the slim margin of defeat, Kolkata Knight Riders also ensured secured qualification. (IPL 2017 full coverage)

Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) face a virtual shoot-out for the fourth spot in the Indian Premier League standings against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Pune today. A loss will see Steve Smith’s team getting eliminated from the IPL play-off race. (BCCI)

With Gautam Gambhir’s team slated to finish in third or fourth spot, the focus now shifts to the final place where it is now a shoot-out between Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab in the last league game. Here is what Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab have to do.

1) Mumbai Indians

P - 14, W - 10, L - 4, Points - 20

What they must do: Mumbai Indians have sealed top spot in the points table and they will have two chances to qualify for the final.

Even better for Rohit Sharma’s team, their first qualifier game will be in their home ground of the Wankhede stadium.

2) Sunrisers Hyderabad

P - 14, W - 8, L - 5, N/R - 1, Points - 17

What they must do: With Kolkata Knight Riders losing to Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad are comfortably placed in second spot. However, they could be demoted to third spot if Rising Pune Supergiant win against Kings XI Punjab.

Mumbai Indians finished the IPL 2017 points table on top after beating Kolkata Knight Riders, who also managed to seal a spot in the play-offs. (BCCI)

3) Kolkata Knight Riders

P - 14, W - 8, L - 6, Points - 16

What they must do: Kolkata Knight Riders lost by nine runs to Mumbai Indians. The narrow loss did not affect their net run-rate which ensured they qualified for the play-offs. However, Gautam Gambhir’s team are assured of playing the eliminator as they will finish in third spot.

They could be demoted to fourth if Rising Pune Supergiant win against Kings XI Punjab.

4) Rising Pune Supergiant

P - 13, W - 8, L - 5, Points - 16

Game remaining: vs Kings XI Punjab

What they must do: With Sunrisers Hyderabad winning and with Kolkata Knight Riders securing qualification, their last league game assumes huge importance.

A poor net run-rate of -0.083 is a huge impediment in their qualification process. A loss to Kings XI Punjab will see them getting eliminated

5) Kings XI Punjab

P - 13, W - 7, L - 6, Points - 14

Game remaining: vs Rising Pune Supergiant

What they must do: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s win has made their last league game a simple affair. They must beat Rising Pune Supergiant to qualify. If they lose, they are out.