What do CSK and Delhi Capitals need to qualify for the playoffs?

Played 11, Points 13, NRR 0.409
Rem mat: DC (h), KKR (h), DC (a)

Chennai Super Kings are relatively comfortably placed in second place, on 13 points after 11 games and with a healthy net run rate too. In an extreme case, even if they lose all three remaining matches, they could still be battling for fourth spot if other results go their way.

Obviously, though, they will be aiming for a much better finish to the league stage than that. Two wins in these three games will surely be enough to qualify, while one win and 15 points could suffice too if other results go their way.

The advantage for Super Kings is that they are playing two of their three remaining games in Chennai. They only have a 3-2 home record this season, but having home games in hand towards the end of the league stage is still an advantage. Two of their remaining games are against bottom-of-the-table Delhi Capitals, but that is no longer an advantage: Capitals are on a roll at the moment, having won four of their last five matches.

Played 10, Points 8, NRR -0.529
Rem mat: CSK (a), PBKS (h), PBKS (a), CSK (h)

Delhi Capitals' schedule is an odd one: they have four matches to go, but they play only two teams, Super Kings and Punjab Kings. In last place at the moment, Capitals need to win at least three of their last four games to stand a chance: with 14 points they could still finish among the top four even without net run rates, if several other results go their way.

On the other hand, even if they win all four and finish on 16, they still won't be assured of qualification as four other teams could also finish on 16 or more points. Which means that along with win, Capitals will also have to focus on the winning margins: their NRR of -0.529 is currently the poorest among all teams.