Who needs to do what to make the cut

Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Points/ Net run-rate: 14/ -0.252
Matches remaining: 1
Opponent: Deccan

Bangalore's victory over Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday ensured that they successfully took the first step towards a semi-final spot. Now placed fourth in the points table, a victory over Deccan Chargers in their final league match will guarantee a place in the last four.

If Bangalore lose to Deccan, they will have to count on defeats for Punjab and Rajasthan to make the cut. A win for either of those teams will shut Bangalore out, if they lose to Deccan.

Team: Rajasthan Royals
Points/ Net run-rate: 13/ -0.360
Matches remaining: 1
Opponent: Kolkata

A victory against Kolkata Knight Riders is essential for Rajasthan Royals to stay in the race. If Rajasthan win, the team will turn its attention to the match between Chennai and Punjab, hoping for a Chennai victory which will then seal the deal for them.

In the event of a Punjab victory, Rajasthan will then compete with Chennai for the fourth spot with both teams on 15 points. Only a miracle can then take Rajasthan through, as Chennai are miles ahead in the net run-rate calculations. Here's an example to illustrate how wide the gap between the teams is: assume Rajasthan defeat Kolkata by 40 runs while Chennai loses to Punjab by the same margin (with the winning team scoring 160 and the losing one scoring 120). Chennai's net run-rate would drop to +0.71 while Rajasthan's would improve to -0.18, still comfortably short of Chennai.

Team: Kings XI Punjab
Points/ Net run-rate: 14/ -0.423
Matches remaining: 1
Opponent: Chennai

Punjab play their final league match against Chennai Super Kings, and a victory assures them a place in the knockout stages. A loss for Punjab would mean they will stay on 14 points, which would still give them a chance, but a very slim one, considering their NRR is the poorer than Deccan's and Bangalore's, and a loss against Chennai would only worsen it further.

Team: Chennai Super Kings
Points/ Net run-rate: 15/ +0.932
Matches remaining: 1
Opponent: Kings XI Punjab

Among the teams vying for a top-four spot, Chennai Super Kings are best placed to make it through. Sitting at second position with 15 points with a match to play against Punjab, they are at a distinct advantage with a very high net run-rate which will come into play in the event of a loss. If Chennai lose and if Rajasthan win against Kolkata, both teams will be tied on 15 points. But, as the example above illustrates, only a statistical miracle can stop Chennai from going to the next level once the NRR comes into play.

Team: Deccan Chargers
Points/ Net run-rate: 14/ +0.265
Matches remaining: 1
Opponent: Bangalore

As is the case with most teams, a win in the final round robin match will see the Deccan Chargers cruise into the semis. A loss, however, will complicate things for them.

Deccan will compete with Punjab and Rajasthan if they lose to Bangalore on Thursday. Both Punjab and Rajasthan need to come off second best in their final matches, after which Deccan's superior run rate is likely do the trick.