The Sunrisers Hyderabad played and lost to the Royals Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This leaves them still on 12 points and hanging onto the final playoffs slot by their fingernails.

Now, the Kings XI Punjab and the Kolkata Knight Riders are the only challengers for that final spot. Sadly, the Sunrisers lost a chance to cement their spot when they lost to RCB. A win would have placed them on 14 points and a step closer to qualification.

But now, the Kings XI and the Knight Riders are eager to pounce on the slot immediately. The Kings XI are up first as will face the Chennai Super Kings in Punjab, but their chances look slim agains the defending champions.

The Kolkata close out the league matches against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. If they lose, the Sunrisers will qualify, even though they are level on points. Also, the Mumbai Indians will be their best friends if they defeat Kolkata.

If both teams end on equal points, the Sunrisers Hyderabad will go through on the basis of their net run rate. What also plays into their hands is Kolkata’s form off late, where they suffered a string of losses.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have won six games and lost 8 and won only one match in their last five games. Meanwhile, the Knight Riders have clinched 2 wins in their last 5 games, but lost their last three matches in a row. Finally, coming to the Kings XI Punjab, they are in the same predicament as SRH, having won one in their last 5 games.

Whatever the case, with the Sunrisers’ job done, they will be rooting for the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians. In all honesty, the waiting will be the toughest part of their season until the playoffs commence.