(Image source from: Facebook.com/IPL)
IPL 2024 Playoffs: Six Teams for Three Spots:- The race for a play-off spot in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) has intensified as the popular T20 tournament comes to an end. With seven matches left in the IPL 2024 league phase, two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have become the first team to qualify for the playoffs this season. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians (MI), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Gujarat Titans (GT) have all been eliminated from playoff contention due to their disastrous consecutive defeats. Meanwhile, five more teams are fighting for the remaining three spots in the IPL 2024 playoffs. With this in mind, let's look at a scenario where all the remaining teams in the IPL 2024 playoff race could qualify.
Rajasthan Royals:
Despite losing their last three games, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are heavy favorites to finish in the top two in the league phase of IPL 2024. The Royals are second in the standings with 16 points from 12 games, which is a Net percentage of +.349 corresponds. Sanju Samson's Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to take on Punjab Kings (May 15) and Kolkata Knight Riders (May 19). They must win at least one of their remaining games to qualify for the playoffs. If the Royals win both games, they will finish in the top two. However, even if RR loses both games, NRR is expected to qualify as they are better.
Games: 12, Points: 16, NRR: +0.349
Remaining games: PBKS (H), KKR (H)
Chennai Super Kings:
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are at the third position in the IPL 2024 standings. CSK, coached by Rotoraj Gaikwad, has 7 wins, 6 losses and 14 points this season. The five-time IPL champions will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the final. To qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, CSK just needs to beat RCB on May 18 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With net odds of +0.528, CSK will be in the top four with a win on Saturday. However, if they lose, CSK will have to win by more than 18 runs, otherwise RCB will not be allowed to chase after 18.1 overs. CSK will also have to hope that both SRH and LSH miss their scheduled matches. Even then, CSK and RCB can qualify with 14 points each.
Games: 13, Points: 14, NRR: +0.528
Remaining games: RCB (A)
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are another contender for the second spot this season. With 14 points from 12 games, SRH are at the fourth position in the IPL 2024 table with a net odds of +0.406. Pat Cummins' team's remaining two matches will be played at home in Hyderabad against Gujarat Titans (May 16) and Punjab Kings (May 19). Meanwhile, SRH needs to win at least one game in the upcoming tournament to qualify for the playoffs. If they win both games, they can challenge KKR and RR to finish in the top two. However, if they lose both games, CSK, RCB and even LSG could end up at the top.
Games: 12, Points: 14, NRR: +0.406
Remaining games: GT (H), PBKS (H)
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made a sensational comeback in IPL 2024 and remain in the playoff contention. RCB, which managed just one win from its first seven games, has now rattled off five wins in a row and moved to fifth place in the table with 12 points from 13 games. To qualify for the playoffs, RCB will first have to beat CSK by 18 runs on Saturday or bowl in 18.1 overs to post a higher NRR than the defending champions. Even after the win, RCB's qualification for the playoffs will depend on further results. Faf du Plessis' team needs SRH to win both games. LSG also has to lose one of their remaining games.
Games: 13, Points: 12, NRR: +0.387
Remaining games: CSK(H)
Delhi Capitals:
Delhi Capitals still mathematically have a chance of making it to the IPL 2024 playoffs, but Rishabh Pant's chances of making it to the top four are slim. With a net run rate of -0.482, currently below CSK, SRH and RCB, Capitals' IPL 2024 campaign is almost done and dusted. For DC to miraculously qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, they will first need to beat LSG by a huge margin to improve their net run rate. The Capitals also need SRH to lose their two upcoming games by wide margins. DC also wants CSK to beat RCB and LSG MI.
Games: 13, Points: 12, NRR: -0.482
Remaining games: LSG (H)
Lucknow Super Giants:
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are another contender for a place in the top four. KL Rahul's team is at seventh place in the IPL 2024 table after collecting 12 points from 12 games. However, LSG will face the struggling Delhi Capitals (May 14) and Mumbai Indians (May 17) in its last two league games. To qualify for the playoffs, LSG must win both of their next two games as their net run rate is just -0.769. Additionally, to improve the NRR you need to win both games by a large margin. Even if they manage to win both games, there is a chance that if CSK and SRH finish the league stage with 16 points, they will not finish in the top four as they have a better NRR.
Games: 12, Points: 12, NRR: -0.769
Remaining games: DC (A), MI (A)
