Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been eliminated from the playoff race after a disappointing show in the current edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Only one of the 10 teams- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have secured playoffs berths in IPL 2024 so far.
The playoff race has become more intriguing as struggling Gujarat Titans (GT) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Following GT’s morale-boosting victory, the tournament is now wide open as teams like Delhi Capitals (DC), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Gujarat Titans still have the opportunity to finish in the top four to qualify for the playoffs.
If we will have a look at the points table, CSK and DC have 12 points each after as many games. Both the teams are separated only by net run rate. Meanwhile, RCB are currently in brilliant form with four consecutive victories to keep their playoff hopes alive. After seven losses out of eight games in the first half of the tournament, RCB have made an impressive comeback to register five wins in 12 games so far.
As CSK, DC, and RCB will play their matches on today’s double-header, let’s have a look at the equation that these three sides need to make it to the Playoffs.
Qualification Scenarios
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
IF CSK manage to win both of their next games against RR and RCB they will reach 16 points and will be overwhelming favourites to qualify because of a superior NRR than DC and LSG. If they manage to win only one match, they can still qualify hoping that the winner of the DC v LSG game loses their other remaining fixture. If Chennai lose both their games, they’ll be knocked out of the tournament.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC are currently placed fifth on the standings with 12 points and a net run rate of (-0.316). DC can reach a maximum of 16 points if they manage to win both their games against RCB and LSG. They also need to hope that CSK lose at least one of their remaining games to secure a direct qualification. If they manage to tie with CSK at 16 points, net run rate will come into play. If Delhi win one of the two games and get stuck at 14 points, they’ll hope that CSK lose both their matches and LSG lose at least one game.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB can reach a maximum of 14 points if they manage to win their remaining two games. However, they also need other results to go their way to finish in the top four. They need CSK to lose against RR, DC to go down against LSG, LSG to suffer defeat against MI and GT to lose at least one of their remaining games. With this, RCB and LSG would be tied at 14 points and the team with superior net run rate will be counted.