SunRisers Hyderabad secured their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs after their penultimate league game against Gujarat Titans was washed out due to rain on Thursday. This result has effectively eliminated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) from playoff contention, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday.
With four games left in the league stage, only one playoff spot remains up for grabs. SRH became the third team to qualify, joining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The battle for the final playoff spot now rests between RCB and CSK, who will face off in Bengaluru in what is essentially a virtual knockout game. The match is poised to be a thrilling contest between two cricketing giants, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
Battle for the Playoffs
RCB, hosting CSK at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, needs a significant victory to secure the fourth spot in the playoffs. CSK, on the other hand, has a chance to finish as high as second on the points table. Despite the complexity of the scenarios, here’s a breakdown of what each team needs to do:
CSK’s Path to Qualification
CSK will guarantee their spot in the top four with a win against RCB. Even if they lose, they could still qualify, provided they don’t lose by a margin greater than 18 runs if chasing 200 or more, or if they restrict RCB from chasing 200 or more within 18.1 overs. Additionally, CSK will automatically secure the fourth spot if the game is abandoned due to rain. For CSK to finish in the top two, they need to win in Bengaluru and hope that both SRH and RR lose their final games.
RCB’s Path to Qualification
The path for RCB is more challenging. They must win against CSK to have any chance of making the playoffs. RCB needs to beat CSK by more than 18 runs if they defend a total of 200 or more, or they need to chase down a target of 200 or more in 18.1 overs or fewer to ensure a better Net Run Rate (NRR) than CSK. Any other result, including a rain-affected no-result, would see RCB knocked out of the playoffs.
The Race for Second Place
Apart from the RCB vs CSK showdown, the battle for the second position on the points table involves CSK, RR, and SRH. Here’s a look at the scenarios for the other contenders:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR is assured of finishing at the top of the points table for the first time in IPL history. They could potentially end the league stage as the only team with more than 20 points, depending on their final match against RR in Guwahati on Sunday.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Despite a four-match losing streak, RR is well-placed to finish second. They need to beat KKR in their final league game to ensure this position. If they lose, they will need both SRH and CSK to lose their final games to retain the second spot.
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH must win their last league game against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Hyderabad to stay in contention for the second spot. Even with a win, they are not assured of the second spot if RR also wins their game against KKR.
As the IPL 2024 league stage nears its end, the competition intensifies with every match. The virtual knockout between RCB and CSK is set to be a cricketing spectacle, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome. While RCB fights for survival, CSK aims for a higher finish. Meanwhile, KKR, RR, and SRH vie for the best possible positions in the playoffs, promising an exciting end to the league stage.