After the first no-result of the IPL 2024 season between Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad, the Shubman gill-led side became the third team from IPL 2024 to be eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race while KKR with 19 points have now ensured a top-two finish. This also brings down the equation to six teams vying for three IPL 2024 playoff spots with seven more matches to go. Here’s a look at the possible IPL 2024 playoff qualification scenarios and what the teams have to do:
IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenarios
Kolkata Knight Riders – KKR have qualified and are at the top of the IPL 2024 points table with 19 points.
Remaining matches
- RR vs KKR
KKR will now finish the IPL league stages either as the table-toppers or second-placed team thus ensuring their place in Qualifier 1 at Chennai. This will mean KKR will have two chances to make the final. If they lose in Qualifier 1, they will move to Qualifier 2 and await the winner of the Eliminator to have one more spot at the final. The abandoned GT vs KKR match gave the Shreyas Iyer-led side one point and with 19 points in their kitty, only Rajasthan Royals can possibly surpass in the points table provided RR win both of their remaining games. The other teams in the fray like SRH can reach a maximum of 18 points, CSK, and LSG can get to a maximum of 16 points, while DC and RCB can get a maximum of 14 points.
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Rajasthan Royals – RR are currently placed second in the points table with 16 points.
Remaining matches
- RR vs PBKS
- RR vs KKR
The loss to CSK on Sunday was Rajasthan Royals’ third on the trot and despite staying strong for the majority of the league so far, RR are showing signs of vulnerability. They still have two games remaining and still need just one win to seal the playoff spot. Their remaining two games are at home – against PBKS and table-topper KKR. The game against knocked-out PBKS will be their best chance to get the Q. A win for RR will ensure that neither CSK, RCB, DC or LSG can surpass them in the points tally. But, if RR end up losing both of their remaining fixtures and remain on 16 points, there is a possibility three other teams can also reach 16 points. In that case, NRR could come into play and SRH, CSK could go above RR. LSG even if they reach 16 points, it is highly unlikely that they will surpass RR in NRR. So, RR will sneak through even if they lose their remaining two games.
Chennai Super Kings – CSK are currently placed third in the points table with 14 points
Remaining matches
- RCB vs CSK
CSK’s win over RR means CSK can make a push for a playoff spot in their final league game against RCB in Bengaluru. Because of RCB’s position in the table, this fixture will become a virtual knockout. If CSK win, they go to 16 points, knocking out RCB, but they will still not be able to seal a playoff spot. RR can go out of CSK’s reach with two wins, so can SRH. LSG can go level on points with CSK and if LSG get big wins, then NRR could decide the final spot. But LSG’s NRR is very poor and it is unlikely they will be able to go past CSK even if they win handsomely in their remaining two games. So, a win against RCB more or less will ensure a playoff spot for CSK. What of they lose? In that case, CSK would need to ensure they do not lose by more than 18 runs (If RCB score 200) to keep themselves above RCB’s NRR despite the loss. If they lose, they would hope SRH to lose their remaining two games and also for LSG to endure at least one loss. That way, CSK’s passage to the top 4 will be ensured.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – SRH are currently placed fourth in the IPL 2024 points table with 14 points.
Remaining matches
- SRH vs GT
- SRH vs PBKS
SRH may be slightly ahead in terms of sealing the third IPL 2024 playoff spot, but there is no guarantee that SRH can get through. With 14 points and two games remaining SRH can reach the 18-point mark ensuring a playoff spot, but one loss in either of their last two games will make them vulnerable. CSK and one of either LSG or DC could equal SRH on points and if SRH go on to lose both their last two games, they could potentially fall behind CSK and LSG in the points table. SRH’s opponents in their last two fixtures are GT and PBKS. Wins in both the games will seal their playoff spot and if RR end up bungling their last two games, SRH can aim for a top-two finish as well.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – RCB are currently in seventh position in the points table with 10 points.
Remaining matches
- RCB vs CSK
With their fifth win on the trot, RCB are making a late push for a playoff spot and it now boils down to their final league game against CSK – who are also fighting for the playoff spot. A loss will bring curtains to RCB campaign, and a win will keep with a spot in the playoffs. But for that, RCB would need to beat CSK by more than 18 runs (if they score 200) to get their NRR over CSK’s. SRH and LSG could still surpass RCB, but by the time RCB face CSK on Saturday, LSG would have played both their matches. If SRH and LSG lose their remaining games and do not go beyond 14 points and if RCB beat CSK by the said margin, both RCB and CSK can go through to the top 4.
Delhi Capitals: DC are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2024 points table with 12 points.
Remaining matches
- DC vs LSG
Delhi Capitals latest loss – to RCB – means they are more or less out of the playoff race. With one game against LSG remining, DC can reach 14 points and even though there is a possibility that SRH, LSG, CSK and RCB all may end up with 14 points, DC’s NRR is not the greatest and they will lose out on that account, Heavy defeats to SRH in their final two games, CSK beating RCB and LSG losing their two games is the best case scenario for DC to quality, but that’s more of wishful thinking than logical reasoning.
Lucknow Super Giants – LSG are currently placed seventh in the IPL 2024 points table with 12 points.
Remaining matches
- DC vs LSG
- MI vs LSG
CSK and RCB’s wins on Sunday have made things trickier for LSG. Their NRR -0.769 is the worst among the teams still vying for a playoff spot and that might come back to bite them even if they win their remaining two games. They can go up to 16 points, but for a playoff spot they will hope SRH to lose both their games and remain on 14 points, CSK lose to RCB and remain on 14 points. In that case LSG can make the playoff as the third-placed team. But, if SRH win at least one of their games and CSK beat RCB, then in that case even if LSG win both their matches, they will not be able to make the top 4 basis NRR.
Gujarat Titans – GT are currently placed 8th in the points table with 11 points.
Remaining matches
- SRH vs GT
After splitting points in Ahmedabad with KKR due to the abandoned game, GT officially are out of the IPL 2024 playoff race. With one more game to go, GT can get to 13 points only and the 4th placed team currently has 14 points, so mathematically GT cannot finish in the top 4. However, they can spoil SRH’s bid to the playoff by beating them in their final match of IPL 2024.
Mumbai Indians – MI are currently placed at the 9th spot in the points table with 8 points.
Remaining matches
- MI vs LSG
Mumbai Indians officially become the first team to be eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race, and they will look to avoid the wooden spoon this year.
Punjab Kings – PBKS are currently 10th in the points table with 8 points.
Remaining matches
- RR vs PBKS
- SRH vs PBKS
PBKS became the second team to be eliminated from the playoff race, and with two games remaining, they will hope to avoid the wooden spoon this year.