With their backs pinned against the wall, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) grabbed their 4th successive victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, beating Punjab Kings by 60 runs on Thursday. The result helped RCB keep their hunt for a spot in the playoffs alive while PBKS were officially eliminated from the top 4 race. With two more games to play in the league stage of the campaign, RCB remain alive in the contest, but not all is in their hands. Though it is possible for the Bengaluru franchise to secure a top 4 spot, the scenario isn’t the easiest.
At present, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals occupy the top 2 spots with 16 points each to their name. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super kings are next in the standings, with 14 and 12 points to their name respectively. RCB can fetch a maximum of 14 points from their remaining matches, meaning they need a few other results to fall in their favour.
IPL points table #CSKvGT #GTvsCSK#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/f22M6ZMDRR
— (@IFootcric68275) May 10, 2024
How RCB Can Qualify For IPL 2024 Playoffs:
Condition 1: Faf du Plessis‘ RCB need to win both of their remaining league matches. A single defeat would lead to their elimination from the top 4 race. RCB are competing with the likes of CSK, SRH, DC and LSG for a spot in the playoffs.
Condition 2: Having already lost to Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings need to incur at least one more defeat from their remaining two league matches. The Super Kings next face Rajasthan Royal before taking on the Bengaluru side. With CSK sitting on an a positive Net Run Rate of +0.491, big defeats for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side would really help RCB’s case.
Condition 3: Lucknow Super Giants is another franchise in the playoffs race. With 6 wins in 12 matches, they already have 12 points to their name. With 2 league games to go, LSG need to lose at least one of their next two matches. If LSG win both of their games, they go on 16 points, and RCB’s journey would be over.
Condition 4: Delhi Capitals also remain in contention for a top 4 finish, with 6 wins in 12 matches. They also need to lose at least one of their next two matches. DC play against LSG and RCB next. The Bengaluru side benefits more if LSG beat DC in this case.
Condition 5: RCB can also topple Sunrisers Hyderabad to finish at No. 3 or No. 4 spot. For this to happen, SRH need to lose all of their remaining matches and their NRR would need to be less than RCB’s. At present, Hyderabad (+0.406) have a better NRR than Bengaluru (+0.217).
The Gujarat Titans are also mathematically in the running for a spot in the playoffs but their NRR of -1.063 is unlikely to see them pip any of the other sides.
