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          Scenarios - Kings XI Punjab's fate in their own hands after win over Kolkata Knight Riders

          Eoin Morgan swats one towards mid-wicket BCCI
          • S Rajesh, Stats editor, ESPNcricinfo
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              S Rajesh is ESPNcricinfo's stats editor in Bangalore. He did an MBA in marketing, and then worked for a year in advertising, before deciding to chuck it in favour of a job which would combine the pleasures of watching cricket and writing about it. The intense office cricket matches were an added bonus.
          Oct 25, 2020, 06:22 PM

          Kings XI Punjab: Played 12, Points 12, NRR -0.049

          Remaining matches: vs RR, CSK

          The Kings XI Punjab's impressive win - their fifth in a row - means they leapfrog the Kolkata Knight Riders and are now in the fourth place on the points table. Their net run rate (NRR) of -0.049 ensures that they don't need to depend on other results if they win their two remaining matches. Sixteen points will ensure their progress into the playoffs, without any riders.

          However, if they lose one of their last two matches and finish on 14, then things will get tricky, because as many as seven teams can potentially finish on 14 or more points, while the Knight Riders and the top three teams can all get to 16 and eliminate the Kings XI.

          If it comes down to NRR, the Kings XI don't have much to worry from the Knight Riders or the Rajasthan Royals, but the Sunrisers Hyderabad have a better NRR, which will further improve if they win their last three games and finish on 14. However, the Sunrisers' last three games are against the top three teams - the Mumbai Indians, the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore - on the points table.

          Kolkata Knight Riders: Played 12, Points 12, NRR -0.479

          Remaining matches: vs CSK, RR

          The Kolkata Knight Riders have slipped to the fifth place after their defeat to the Kings XI. They can still get up to 16 points if they win their remaining two matches, but their poor NRR could be a problem if it comes down to that.

          That can happen if the Kings XI also win their last two matches, for their NRR is far superior. Incidentally, both teams will play the Royals and the Chennai Super Kings in their last two matches.

          The Knight Riders' best bet will be to win their remaining games and finish on 16, and hope that the Kings XI don't follow suit. The Knight Riders' cause will also be served if they finish on 16 and one of the top three teams lose all their remaining matches and remain on 14.

          If the Knight Riders win only one of their remaining two games, then they will finish on 14 and will be at the mercy of other results going their way. If it comes down to NRR, they will probably lose out.