Kings XI had to win their final league match to stay in contention for a place among the top four but collapsed during their chase when Amit Mishra claimed a hat trick.

The Indian leg-spinner dismissed Ryan McLaren (9), Mandeep Singh (7) and Ryan Harris for nought and finished with four for nine.

Kings XI finished fifth in the 10-team competition with 14 points. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (18 points), Royal Challengers Bangalore (17), Kolkata Knight Riders (16) and Mumbai Indians (16) secured the four playoff berths with a round to spare.

Chargers were put in to bat, reaching 198-2 from 20 overs after an opening-wicket stand of 131 between Man of the Match Shikhar Dhawan (95 not out) and Ravi Teja (60). Kings XI were all out for 116 in 19 overs.

“My toss decision was wrong. I got caught up in the run rate, rain forecast and stuff. That combined with the worst fielding performance on the field didn't help on the bad day,” Kings XI captain Adam Gilchrist said.

Kings XI had won their previous four matches to emerge as a strong contender for a spot in the play offs.

“I don't think it was pressure; it just went all wrong. I didn't sense any tension in the group in the build-up. We can sit back and be pleased about the way we came back. But it was frustrating today,” Gilchrist added.

Left-hander Dhawan hit 14 fours and a six in his 57-ball knock to provide the visitors with a strong start as they took full advantage of a poor fielding display by Kings XI.

Teja hit successive sixes off Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla to reach his fifty before being caught at deep mid-wicket off pacer Paul Valthaty.

Kings XI began shakily as they lost opener Paul Valthaty to South African quick Dale Steyn for five and in-form Australian Shaun Marsh to South African JP Duminy for 13.

Gilchrist lifted the side with a quick-fire 51 but his dismissal — caught by Cameron White off Australian pacer Daniel Christian — triggered a collapse.

Christian dismissed Dinesh Karthik for 13 in the same over before Mishra took his second hat trick in the competition to shut the door on Kings XI.

Chargers finished seventh with 12 points. Delhi Daresdevils play Pune Warriors later on Saturday.

On Sunday, Royal Challengers Bangalore play Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders take on Mumbai Indians in the last round of league matches that will decide the final positions.