IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenarios Explained: CSK and RCB picked up crucial wins to keep themselves alive while RR, with their third loss on the trot seems to be losing their way.
After the penultimate double-header day before the IPL playoffs, RCB and CSK keep their playoff hopes alive while Delhi Capitals, despite a strong run during the middle of the tournament, are as good as out of the IPL 2024 playoff race. With eight more matches in the league stages to go, only KKR have sealed a playoff spot while RR, even though they might be in pole position to claim the second playoff spot, the third consecutive loss has meant they are in a vulnerable position. SRH, currently placed 3rdhave the cushion of one extra game than their nearest competitors CSK, RCB and DC. Here’s a look at the possible IPL 2024 playoff qualification scenarios and what the teams have to do
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IPL 2024 PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION SCENARIOS
Kolkata Knight Riders – KKR have qualified and are at the top of the IPL 2024 points table with 18 points.
Remaining matches
- GT vs KKR
- RR vs KKR
KKR are assured of a top 4 finish after they beat MI in the rain-curtailed match in Kolkata last night, and with two more games remaining, they will now be looking to seal the top-two spot. They can go up to 22 points, equaling the record for the most points accumulated in the league stages. They face GT in Ahmedabad and then RR in Jaipur in their last two fixtures, and it will be their final league game against Rajasthan that could decide the top-two finish of IPL 2024.
Rajasthan Royals – RR are currently placed second in the points table with 16 points.
Remaining matches
- RR vs PBKS
- RR vs KKR
The loss to CSK yesterday was Rajasthan Royals’ third on the trot, and despite staying vital for most of the league so far, RR are showing signs of vulnerability. They still have two games remaining and need just one win to seal the playoff spot. Their remaining two games are at home – against PBKS and table-topper KKR. The game against knocked-out PBKS will be their best chance to get the Q. A win for RR will ensure that neither CSK, RCB, DC or LSG can surpass them in the points tally. But, if RR loses both of their remaining fixtures and remain on 16 points, there is a possibility three other teams can also reach 16 points. NRR could come into play in that case, and SRH and CSK could go above RR. LSG, even if they get 16 points, is highly unlikely to surpass RR in NRR. So, RR will sneak through even if they lose their remaining two games.
Chennai Super Kings – CSK are currently placed third in the points table with 14 points
Remaining matches
- RCB vs CSK
CSK’s win over RR means CSK can push for a playoff spot in their final league game against RCB in Bengaluru. This fixture will become a virtual knockout because of RCB’s position in the table. If CSK win, they go to 16 points, knocking out RCB, but they will still need to seal a playoff spot because RR can go out of CSK’s reach with two wins, and so can SRH. LSG can go level on points with CSK, and if LSG get big wins, then NRR can decide on the final spot. But LSG’s NRR could be better, and it is unlikely they will be able to go past CSK even if they win handsomely in their remaining two games. So, a win against RCB more or less will ensure a playoff spot for CSK. What if they lose? In that case, CSK would need to ensure they do not lose by more than 18 runs (If RCB score 200) to keep themselves above RCB’s NRR despite the loss. If they lose, they would hope SRH to lose their remaining two games and also LSG to ensure at least one loss. That way, CSK’s passage to the top 4 will be ensured.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – SRH are currently placed fourth in the IPL 2024 points table with 14 points.
Remaining matches
SRH vs GT
SRH vs PBKS
SRH may be slightly ahead in sealing the third IPL 2024 playoff spot, but there is no guarantee that SRH can get through. With 14 points and two games remaining, SRH can reach the 18-point mark, ensuring a playoff spot, but one loss in either of their last two games will make them vulnerable. CSK and one of either LSG or DC could be equal to SRH on points, and if SRH loses both their last two games, they could fall behind CSK and LSG in the points table. SRH’s opponents in their previous two fixtures are GT and PBKS. Wins in both games will seal their playoff spot, and if RR bumps their last two games, SRH can aim for a top-two finish as well.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – RCB are currently in seventh position in the points table with 10 points.
Remaining matches
- RCB vs CSK
With their fifth win on the trot, RCB are making a late push for a playoff spot and it now boils down to their final league game against CSK – who are also fighting for the playoff spot. A loss will bring curtains to the RCB campaign, but a win will keep them alive. But for that, RCB would need to beat CSK by more than 18 runs (if they score 200) to get their NRR over CSK’s. SRH and LSG could still surpass RCB, but by the time RCB face CSK on Saturday, LSG would have played both matches. If SRH and LSG lose their remaining games and do not go beyond 14 points and RCB beat CSK by the said margin, both RCB and CSK can go through to top 4.
Delhi Capitals: DC are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2024 points table with 12 points.
Remaining matches
- DC vs LSG
Delhi Capitals’ latest loss – to RCB – means they are more or less out of the playoff race. With one game against LSG remaining, DC can reach 14 points. Even though there is a possibility that SRH, LSG, CSK and RCB all may end up with 14 points, DC’s NRR is not the greatest. They will lose out on that account. Heavy defeats to SRH in their final two games, CSK beating RCB, and LSG losing their two games are the best-case scenarios for DC to achieve quality, but that’s more wishful thinking than logical reasoning. It is not going to happen!
Lucknow Super Giants – LSG are currently placed seventh in the IPL 2024 points table with 12 points.
Remaining matches
- DC vs LSG
- MI vs LSG
CSK and RCB’s wins on Sunday have made things trickier for LSG. Their NRR -0.769 is the worst among the teams still vying for a playoff spot, and that might come back to bite them even if they win their remaining two games. They can go up to 16 points, but for a playoff spot, they will hope that SRH will lose both their games and stay on 14 points, while CSK will lose to RCB and remain on 14 points. In that case, LSG can make the playoff as the third-placed team. But, if SRH win at least one of their games and CSK beat RCB, then even if LSG wins both their matches, they will not be able to make the top 4 basis NRR.
Gujarat Titans – GT are currently placed 8th in the points table with 10 points.
Remaining matches
- GT vs KKR
- SRH vs GT
With a 35-run win over CSK, GT avoided elimination from the playoff race for the time being. Now, with 10 points in their kitty and two matches remaining, they can reach 14 points and are still in contention for a playoff spot. But their NRR is very poor, and it is only mathematically that GT is still alive.
Mumbai Indians – MI are currently placed at the 9th spot in the points table with 8 points.
Remaining matches
- MI vs LSG
Mumbai Indians officially become the first team to be eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race, and they will look to avoid the wooden spoon this year.
Punjab Kings – PBKS are currently 10th in the points table with 8 points.
Remaining matches
- RR vs PBKS
- SRH vs PBKS
PBKS became the second team to be eliminated from the playoff race, and with two games remaining, they will hope to avoid the wooden spoon this year.
