Delhi Capitals' eight-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals has opened up several possibilities in IPL 2022, while also ensuring that the teams currently ranked higher have a tougher road to qualification. Here is what the result means to the qualification hopes of Capitals and Royals.
Delhi Capitals: Mat 12, Pts 12, NRR 0.210
Remaining matches: vs Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians
Capitals' comfortable win means they are still clearly in the hunt for the playoffs. Not only is their net run rate of 0.210 the best among the teams not in the top three, their remaining games are against two of the bottom-rungers - Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians. If they get up to 16 points, Capitals will have a genuine chance of qualifying, thanks to their NRR.
They are currently one spot below Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have 14 points from 12 matches but a relatively poor NRR of -0.115. If Royal Challengers finish on 16, their NRR will probably be below that of Capitals. Among the teams in the middle of the table jostling for a spot in the top four, Capitals are the best-placed.
Rajasthan Royals: Mat 12, Pts 14, NRR 0.228
Remaining matches: vs Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings
The defeat to Capitals means Royals still have plenty to do to seal a playoffs spot. Their NRR has dropped from 0.326 to 0.228, which is only slightly above that of Capitals. Even if Royals win one of their last two matches - they play Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday and Chennai Super Kings on May 20 - they could be jostling for the last playoffs spot with Capitals (assuming both finish on 16 points). For that to happen, though, Royal Challengers will have to win both their remaining games and qualify with 18.
All of this means the Royals vs Super Giants game on Sunday will be hugely important for both teams, as Super Giants wouldn't want to be stuck on 16 either going into their last league game.