Picture Credit: X/IPL
The IPL 2024 is nearing its penultimate stage with two teams in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) confirming their playoffs berth. While Shreyas Iyer-led KKR was the first team to secure a qualification, the Sanju Samson-led RR confirmed it on Tuesday, May 14 after Delhi Capitals’ 19-run win against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
However, with two teams now confirmed to be moving to the next stage and three teams officially being knocked out of the race, the battle between the five remaining teams is getting more and more intense with each passing game. Here in this article, we will discuss the chances for each team to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
IPL 2024 Playoffs Qualification Scenario
With just six games remaining in the IPL 2024 league stage and two teams already confirming their qualification, here is how the scenario looks for the remaining teams.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Played: 13
Position in points table: Seventh (12 points)
Remaining matches: MI vs LSG (May 17, 2024)
The KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have had a disappointing second half of the season and are now on a three-match losing streak. Their recent loss against the Delhi Capitals has made things near to impossible for qualification. With one game remaining for them, where they will take on the five-time champions in Mumbai Indians (MI), despite a win by a massive margin, it would be giving them only the slightest of chance to qualify for the next round.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Played: 14
Position in points table: Fifth (14 points)
The Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals reclaimed the fifth spot in the IPL 2024 standings after their 19-run win against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday, May 14. However, they have completed their league stage games and their chances to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs now lies on SunRisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) results in their remaining two matches and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerging victorious against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Also for DC to qualify, LSG’s win in their final match while maintaining a run rate below that of DC could work for the Capitals.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Played: 13
Position in points table: Sixth (12 points)
Remaining matches: RCB vs CSK (May 18, 2024)
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have one more match left, in which they will host the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18. However, it is a must-win game for the Faf du Plessis-led side, along with depending on the other teams’ results to confirm their IPL 2024 playoffs qualification. The Bengaluru-based franchise would need SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to lose their remaining matches and Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) also finishing their league stage with a loss in their final match.
In any scenario, they would look to beat CSK by a decent margin, which takes their net run rate higher than CSK. If other results go their way, RCB stands a chance to qualify for the next stage with a comparatively better NRR than CSK.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Played: 13
Position in points table: Third (14 points)
Remaining matches: RCB vs CSK (May 18, 2024)
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have played 13 matches and are comfortably placed at third position in the IPL 2024 points table with 14 points. They will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in an away match, and their qualification will depend on the result of the match. However, they are favourable to secure a spot in the top four, but if they fail to win, their qualification hopes will depend on other results.
In case CSK losses their final match, they will depend on other results. They would need either SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) or Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to lose one of their matches and finish below 16 points. Moreover, they ould ensure that their margin of defeat is minimal to maintain their advantage over RCB in terms of NRR.
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Played: 12
Position in points table: Fourth (14 points)
Remaining matches: SRH vs GT (May 16, 2024) and SRH vs PBKS (May 19, 2024)
The SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) have two matches remaining in IPL 2024 league stage, one against Gujarat Titans (GT) and the other against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Despite their current standing, SRH will aim to secure wins on both matches to solidify their position in the points table.
However, their superior run rate as compared to LSG provides a considerable advantage in their case, securing one win will also be sufficient to ensure IPL 2024 playoffs qualification. Moreover, two victories will elevate them in contention for a top-two finish.
