In the intense IPL 2024 season, with the playoffs looming, the recent developments have solidified KKR’s position at the top, while other teams vie for crucial playoff spots. With RR’s recent loss sealing KKR’s top spot, the focus now shifts to the battle between CSK, SRH, and RCB for the remaining playoff berths in IPL 2024.
Possible IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenarios
With the teams having left only one few matches in hand to secure their position for the IPL playoff, the matches are all going to be very crucial for teams to win. It’s a do or die situation right now for these teams. To secure their playoff spot, teams need to keep in mind pivotal details such as:
Kolkata Knight Riders (Q) have secured their spot at the top of the IPL 2024 points table with 19 points, ensuring their qualification for the playoffs:
The recent defeat of RR to PBKS solidifies KKR’s position as the top team in the IPL league stages, guaranteeing them a place in Qualifier 1. This grants KKR two opportunities to advance to the final: if they lose in Qualifier 1, they will proceed to Qualifier 2, awaiting the winner of the Eliminator for another chance at the final. Even in the scenario where KKR loses their final game to RR, both teams would finish with 19 and 18 points respectively, while SRH, even if victorious in their remaining two games, can only reach 18 points.
Rajasthan Royals (Q) currently hold the second position in the points table with 16 points:
RR’s recent string of losses and the absence of Jos Buttler (due to national duty) pose significant challenges for the Sanju Samson-led team. While they are already guaranteed a playoff berth, another loss in their final league match against KKR could drop them down the points table, necessitating their participation in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to reach the final. If RR triumph over KKR, they are likely to secure a top-two finish. However, if SRH secures big wins in their remaining matches, they could potentially surpass RR for the second spot. Moreover, if RR loses to KKR and SRH falters in their last matches while CSK defeats RCB, CSK could overtake RR for the second position.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) currently occupy the third position in the points table with 14 points:
CSK’s scenario is straightforward: a victory in their final league match against RCB secures their playoff spot by meeting the IPL 2024 playoff qualification mark of 16 points. In the event of a loss, they must ensure a narrow defeat (less than 18 runs if RCB scores 200 or not concede defeat before 18.1 overs if defending a 200 target) to maintain a superior net run rate over RCB. Should RCB win, they will tie with CSK in points, bringing net run rate into consideration. However, if SRH loses both their games, there’s an opportunity for both CSK and RCB to advance to the playoffs, contingent upon an RCB victory against CSK, with net run rate being decisive.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) currently hold the fourth position in the IPL 2024 points table with 14 points:
SRH have two games remaining and can contend for the second spot in the points table to secure a place in Qualifier 1. To achieve this, they must win both of their remaining matches and rely on RR losing to KKR. Even if SRH win just one of their last two games, they will still qualify for the playoffs, leaving the final spot to be contested between CSK and RCB. However, if SRH loses both their remaining games, they could find themselves in net run rate discussions with CSK and RCB, depending on the outcome of the RCB vs CSK match on Saturday.
Delhi Capitals (DC) currently occupy the fifth position in the IPL 2024 points table with 14 points:
Delhi Capitals have concluded their league stage with 14 points from 14 matches, evenly split between 7 wins and 7 losses, securing the fifth position. Although they are within reach of a playoff spot, their fate now relies solely on other match outcomes. Their only hope lies in RCB losing to CSK, preventing RCB from overtaking them in the standings, and SRH suffering significant defeats in both their remaining games (a combined margin of 190 runs), lowering their net run rate below that of DC’s. While the first scenario remains feasible, the latter is highly improbable, essentially signalling the end of DC’s IPL 2024 campaign, despite their mathematical survival chances.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) currently occupy the sixth position in the points table with 12 points:
With their fifth consecutive victory, RCB is mounting a late surge for a playoff berth, setting the stage for a crucial final league match against CSK, who are also in contention for the playoffs. A defeat would spell the end of RCB’s campaign, while a win would secure their place in the playoffs. However, to achieve this, RCB must defeat CSK by a margin greater than 18 runs (if they score 200) or chase down a target of 200 in 18.1 overs to surpass CSK’s net run rate. Although SRH still has the potential to surpass RCB, if SRH loses their remaining matches and remains below 14 points, and if RCB defeats CSK by the specified margin, both RCB and CSK could advance to the top 4.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) currently sit in the seventh position in the IPL 2024 points table with 12 points:
LSG missed a crucial opportunity to stay competitive in the IPL playoff race with their 19-run defeat to Delhi Capitals, effectively eliminating their chances of reaching the playoff qualification mark of 16 points. With just one game remaining, they can only aim for 14 points, tying them with fifth-placed DC. However, given LSG’s poor net run rate, it is highly improbable for them to surpass DC, RCB, CSK, and SRH, all of whom could also finish with 14 points. Like DC, LSG’s campaign seems all but over, despite their mathematical survival chances.
Gujarat Titans (GT) currently occupy the eighth position in the points table with 11 points:
Following the draw with KKR in Ahmedabad, GT has been eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race. With just one game remaining, GT can only reach a maximum of 13 points, while the fourth-placed team currently holds 14 points, making it mathematically impossible for GT to secure a top-four finish. However, they still have the opportunity to disrupt SRH’s playoff aspirations by defeating them in their final match of IPL 2024.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) currently occupy the 10th position in the points table with 8 points:
PBKS has become the second team to be ousted from the playoff race. With one game left, they have climbed from 10th to 9th position following their victory over RR. Their focus now shifts to securing a victory in their final league match against SRH to avoid finishing at the bottom of the table this season.
Mumbai Indians (MI) currently sit at the 10th position in the points table with 8 points:
Mumbai Indians have become the inaugural team to be ousted from the IPL 2024 playoff race, and their focus now shifts to evading the wooden spoon this season.