IPL 2024 Playoffs Qualification Scenarios: SRH Secures Spot, RCB vs CSK Becomes Virtual Knockout

In Short

• CSK and RCB to battle it out for the only remaining spot in the playoffs
• Battle for 2nd place a three-way race involving CSK, RR and SRH
• RCB need nothing less than a big win on Saturday to qualify for playoffs

In the latest development of IPL 2024, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured their place in the playoffs after their penultimate league game against Gujarat Titans was washed out due to rain on Thursday.

This outcome has effectively eliminated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) from playoff contention.

With only four games remaining in the league stage, the competition for the final playoff spot has intensified. SRH joins Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the playoffs, leaving Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the primary contenders for the last spot.

The crucial match between RCB and CSK on Saturday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has now become a virtual qualifier.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Virat Kohli’s RCB and MS Dhoni’s CSK, which promises to be a thrilling battle.

Points Table Scenario:

Delhi Capitals: Currently in the fifth spot with 14 points but have been ruled out of the playoffs due to a poor Net Run Rate.

Lucknow Super Giants: Set to end their campaign against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday, their playoff chances are minimal owing to a low Net Run Rate.

KKR’s Position:
Remaining Match: vs RR in Guwahati on Sunday, May 19.
KKR is assured of finishing at the top of the points table for the first time in IPL history and could end the league as the only team with more than 20 points.

RR’s Position:
Remaining Match: vs KKR in Guwahati on Sunday, May 19.
Rajasthan needs to win their final league game to secure the second spot. A loss would require SRH and CSK to lose their respective last games for RR to maintain their top 2 position.

SRH’s Position:
Remaining Match: vs PBKS in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 19.
SRH must win their final league game to potentially secure the second spot, contingent on other results.

CSK’s Qualification Scenarios:
Remaining Match: vs RCB in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.
A win guarantees CSK a place in the top 4.
A loss could still see CSK through, provided the margin of defeat does not significantly affect their Net Run Rate.
An abandoned game due to rain would also ensure CSK finishes in the top 4.
CSK can finish in the top 2 if they win and both SRH and RR lose their final games.

RCB’s Qualification Scenarios:
Remaining Match: vs CSK in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.
RCB must win to qualify. They need to secure a victory by a margin that positively impacts their Net Run Rate, especially if defending 200 or chasing 200 or more in 18.1 overs or fewer.
A loss or shared points due to rain would eliminate RCB from the playoffs.

With SRH confirming their playoff spot, the upcoming RCB vs CSK match has become even more critical. Fans and teams alike are bracing for a nail-biting finish to the league stage of IPL 2024.