 "Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be eliminated from IPL 2024 playoffs race if they lose to Punjab Kings on Thursday. PTI")
Just 13 more league matches are left in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season but no team has qualified for the playoffs yet. Mumbai Indians on Wednesday became the first team to be knocked out and nine franchises are still fighting for the top four spots. Also on Wednesday, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 10 wickets to take a giant leap in the race for playoffs. We will discuss the scenarios for all teams but before let’s have a look at the points table:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | NR | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KKR | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | +1.453 | 16 |
| 2 | RR | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | +0.476 | 16 |
| 3 | SRH | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | +0.406 | 14 |
| 4 | CSK | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | -0.700 | 12 |
| 5 | DC | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | -0.316 | 12 |
| 6 | LSG | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | -0.769 | 12 |
| 7 | RCB | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | -0.049 | 8 |
| 8 | PBKS | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | -0.187 | 8 |
| 9 | MI | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | -0.212 | 8 |
| 10 | GT | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | -1.320 | 8 |
IPL playoffs scenarios
SRH have taken a big lead by beating LSG because now they are among the only four teams who can reach 18 points or more. The other three teams are Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. If all these four teams win their remaining matches then other sides will not be able to catch them. However, who finishes in the top two will be interesting to watch. After beating Lucknow, SRH’s NRR jumped from -0.065 to +0.406 and that will be a big advantage if it comes down to the net run rate while deciding the positions at the top.
What if SRH win only one match?
That will take Hyderabad to 16 points but could still be enough as only three more teams will be able to reach 16 points – CSK, DC and LSG. KKR and RR are already on 16 points. If a few results go their way, SRH should reach the playoffs easily.
Pat Cummins’ side can also qualify with 14 points, however, CSK, LSG, DC, GT and one of PBKS and RCB can also have seven wins and then the race for playoffs will be decided on NRR.
What about KKR and RR?
One more win for KRR and RR will see them reach the playoffs. They can also qualify with just 16 points, however, NRR will become the deciding factor.
Are LSG out of the playoffs race?
Lucknow are not out of the race. They can add four more points to their tally to take themselves to 16 points but that may still not be enough as five teams above them in the table can reach at least 16 points and teams like KKR, RR, SRH and CSK can even get to 18 points.
Scenarios for GT, PBKS and RCB
All these three teams can only reach 14 points which will not be enough if SRH, CSK, DC and LSG win their remaining games. In such a case, GT, PBKS and RCB cannot afford any more losses. If GT lose to CSK on Friday then they will be out of the race while the loser from the PBKS vs RCB match on Thursday will also be eliminated.