 "Seven teams are still fighting for remaining three IPL playoff spots. AP")
We are in the business end of IPL 2024 with just a handful of league matches left but only one team so far – Kolkata Knight Riders – have qualified for the playoffs . Two teams – Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings – have already been eliminated. Two matches will be taking place on Super Sunday with Rajasthan Royals playing against Chennai Super Kings while Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Delhi Capitals.
Let’s take a look at the IPL 2024 points table before discussing the scenarios:
ut to be forgettable debut season for Pandya as MI captain with a victory against Lucknow Super Giants on Friday and avoid the wooden spoon in the process.
Complete IPL points table:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | NR | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KKR (Q) | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | +1.453 | 18 |
| 2 | RR | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | +0.476 | 16 |
| 3 | SRH | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | +0.406 | 14 |
| 4 | CSK | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | +0.491 | 12 |
| 5 | DC | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | -0.316 | 12 |
| 6 | LSG | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | -0.769 | 12 |
| 7 | RCB | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | +0.217 | 10 |
| 8 | GT | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | -1.063 | 10 |
| 9 | MI | 13 | 4 | 9 | 0 | -0.271 | 8 |
| 10 | PBKS | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | -0.423 | 8 |
IPL 2024 playoff scenarios:
Rajasthan Royals
Remaining matches: CSK, PBKS, KKR
RR need just one more win to qualify for the playoffs. In fact, they can qualify even after losing all their remaining three matches unless their net run rate (NRR) falls below the winner of the DC vs LSG clash. Even in this case the winner of the DC vs LSG match will first have to attain at least 16 points.
Chennai Super Kings
Remaining matches: RR, RCB
After losing three out of their last five matches, CSK have slowed down a bit in the race for playoffs but can still easily qualify by winning their last two matches as Chennai have an NRR advantage over DC and LSG. Losing one more match, however, could mean elimination as KKR, RR, SRH, DC/LSG can all finish on 16 or more points.
The only way CSK can qualify with just one more win is if DC and LSG also lose a game each and Chennai win the NNR race.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Remaining matches: DC, CSK
RCB can reach a maximum of 14 points but KKR and RR already have more than that, SRH have 14 points while CSK, DC and LSG can all cross the 14-point mark. In such a case, RCB is heavily relied on other results. They will need CSK, DC and LSG not to cross the 14-point mark which means those teams have to lose a minimum of one match each. In which case the final spot will be decided on NRR. If CSK, DC and LSG lose both their matches then RCB can also climb up to the third spot.
Delhi Capitals
Remaining matches: RCB, LSG
DC can reach a maximum of 16 points. Even that may not be enough if RR and SRH go beyond 16 and CSK win their two matches to reach 16 as Chennai have a better NRR. DC’s best bet is if CSK lose one of their two matches and Delhi win both.
They can also qualify with just 14 points but for that, CSK have to lose at least one game and DC will need to have a better NRR than all teams on 14 points.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Remaining matches: GT, PBKS
SRH are in a strong position and two wins will guarantee them a playoff spot. Even one more win could be enough if their NRR remains superior to teams like CSK, DC and LSG.
Lucknow Super Giants
Remaining matches: DC, MI
LSG can reach 16 points and that will keep them in the mix but their poor NRR of -0.769 can go against them. Even reaching 16 points could not be enough because of the NRR if teams like SRH and CSK also reach the 16-point mark. Also, RR is already on 16.
They can have a chance on 14 points also if other results go in their favour but then again it will all come down to the NRR.
Gujarat Titans
Remaining matches: KKR, SRH
GT can reach a maximum of 14 points and will need teams like SRH, CSK, DC and LSG to lose their matches to create a situation where teams are tied on 14 points for at least one playoff spot. Even then their abysmal NRR of -1.063 could go against them.