 "IPL Playoff Scenarios: How RCB and CSK can qualify for playoffs ahead of marquee clash in Bengaluru")
Three out of four teams have qualified for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs that will take place from next week. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are the three teams who have thus far qualified, and one of either Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) or Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will become the fourth team to qualify.
RCB were off to a horrendous start to their IPL 2024 season, winning just two out of their first seven matches, but ever since, the Faf du Plessis-led side have won five consecutive games to remain in contention for the playoffs. As far as IPL points table is concerned, CSK are currently in fourth place with 14 points from 13 matches with an NRR of +0.528. On the other hand, RCB are in seventh with 12 points from 13 matches (NRR +0.387).
IPL 2024: Will rain impact the RCB vs CSK match?
However, rain and thunderstorms could play spoilsport at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, and should the match get abandoned without a ball being bowled, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led outfit would all but progress to the playoffs.
How can RCB qualify for the playoffs? What are the chances? Let’s now take a look at possible scenarios:
RCB vs CSK scenarios explained
One might say Chennai Super Kings are favourites heading into what is possibly the biggest clash of IPL 2024 so far. However, Royal Challengers Bengaluru do have their chances, but it’s not straightforward.
As mentioned before, a complete washout of the game would mean CSK go through as the fourth team with both CSK and RCB getting one point each. That would take CSK’s points tally to 15 whereas RCB would only have 13 points from 14 games.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsShould RCB bat first and post a total of 200 runs against CSK, the hosts would need to beat the defending champions by 18 runs or more to qualify. On the other hand, if Bengaluru end up chasing, they will need to do so with 11 balls remaining in the contest. That too, this is in the case where RCB would be chasing a target of 201.
Meanwhile, for the Yellow Brigade, the task is a bit easier on paper. Beat RCB, even by a narrow margin, and they would be all but through to the playoffs. A win would take Chennai’s points tally to 16 from 14 matches.
Should the match be reduced to five overs, the job becomes even more difficult for RCB. If they bat first, they will need to post 80 in five overs and restrict Chennai to 62, once again the margin of runs for victory being 18.
If RCB are chasing in a five-over match and the target is 81, they will have to chase down in 3.1 overs, which on paper looks improbable.
In a 10-over match, if RCB post 130 runs, they will need to see off or restrict CSK to 112. And if they are batting second and have a target of 131, RCB will have to chase that target in 8.1 overs.
Irrespective of who goes through and who gets eliminated, the RCB vs CSK match should be a cracking contest, provided the rain Gods stay away.
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