The IPL playoff race has been whittled down to six teams chasing three spots. Gujarat Titans fell out of the race with their loss to Mumbai Indians on Monday and more teams could fall away through the week.
Tuesday 14 May
Capitals 72/100 | Tie | Super Giants 23/20 (16:00)
Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are play-off outsiders but whichever team comes out on top here will leave themselves firmly in the race while the losers will be eliminated.
This will be the Capitals’ last chance to keep their names in the play-off race as they round off their round-robin campaign.
These sides have shown patchy form and both will be out to reverse their fortunes after recent losses which have thrown off their campaigns.
LSG can put themselves in a strong position this week if they can win both their matches.
Verdict: Delhi Capitals 72/100
It’s a case of last chance saloon for the Capitals who will go all out to claim victory here.
Wednesday 15 May
Royals 67/100 | Tie 25/1 | Kings 5/4 (16:00)
The Rajasthan Royals are out to arrest an incredible slide after they became the first team to reach 16 log points.
The Royals have lost three in a row but face an already eliminated Punjab Kings outfit.
A win for the Royals will clinch their place in the play-offs and set them up for a possible top-two finish.
The Punjab Kings are dangerous in this setting as they seek to pad their numbers after a poor campaign.
Verdict: Rajasthan Royals 67/100
The Royals should arrest their dip in form against the cellar-dwelling Kings on Wednesday.
Thursday 16 May
Sunrisers 57/100 | Tie 25/1 | Titans 29/20 (16:00)
The Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans clash takes on a different complexion with the latter out of the running.
Cricket is a game where pressure does strange things and all the pressure will be on the Sunrisers.
The Sunrisers have lost momentum but could regain that with a strong surge to reach the playoffs.
SRH are also candidates for a top-two finish but need to win this one to set themselves up for a double shot at the final.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad 57/100
With nothing to lose, the Titans will pose a big danger. Still, I’m leaning toward the Sunrisers to claim victory here.
Friday 17 May
Super Giants | Tie 25/1 | Indians *betting tba
Lucknow Super Giants need to win their match on Tuesday to lend this match importance.
Mumbai Indians are out of the running but still keen to not give up results on their patch.
LSG have struggled for consistency this term and need their stars to find form to drive them into the play-offs.
Jasprit Bumrah could claim the top bowling award as the purple cap holder.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians
This one appears to be a bit of a coin toss at the time of writing. Maybe wait for Tuesday’s result between the Capitals and LSG. If the Capitals win as expected, I reckon the Indians should grab the win on Friday.
