IPL Playoffs Scenario 2024:
The much-anticipated match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT) was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain on Thursday (May 16). This result has secured SRH's position as the third team to enter the playoffs.
Prior to this development, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) had already confirmed their spots in the playoffs. Now, the final slot is up for a massive showdown between Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team and Virat Kohli's squad. The playoff equation has completely changed following the Hyderabad-Gujarat rainout.
The Fight for Second Place in IPL Playoffs Begins
This rainout has triggered a fierce battle for the second spot in the playoffs. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has sealed the top position. Now, the rest of the teams are vying for second place. Finishing in the top-2 confers the advantage of two opportunities in the playoffs.
The top-2 teams will face each other in Qualifier-1. The loser of this match gets another chance. They will compete in Qualifier-2 against the winner of the Eliminator, which is contested between the teams finishing third and fourth in the table.
Four out of Ten Teams Bow Out of Playoff Race!
With the washout of the Hyderabad-Gujarat match, Delhi Capitals were also ousted from the playoff contention. Consequently, four out of the ten teams are now entirely out of the playoff race. Consider Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) out as well.
Their last match against Mumbai Indians (MI) is yet to be played. For KL Rahul's captain-led LSG to stay in the playoff race, they need to win their last match against MI by a significant margin, which seems implausible due to their poor net run rate of -0.787. Lucknow's playoff chances are practically over.
Chennai and Bangalore Contend for the Fourth Slot
Thus, only two teams, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), are left in the fray for the fourth playoff spot, making them strong contenders. What adds to the excitement is that Dhoni's Chennai and Kohli's Bangalore need to face off in their final match.
This match is scheduled for May 18 at RCB's home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. However, Bengaluru's path to the playoffs is not as straightforward as it seems; they must win this final match with conditions attached.
RCB Must Win with Conditions to Reach Playoffs
RCB must win against CSK and simultaneously surpass them in net run rate. To achieve this, RCB needs to win by at least 18 runs (assuming RCB bats first and scores 200). If RCB is chasing a 201-run target, they must secure victory in 18.1 overs or less to surpass CSK in net run rate and clinch playoff entry. Let's break down how the washed-out Hyderabad-Gujarat match affects the playoff equation...
Changed Equations After Hyderabad-Gujarat Match Washout
- Sunrisers Hyderabad gained one point from the washout and entered the playoffs as the third team.
- Chennai and Bengaluru's clash determines the fourth team. For playoff qualification, RCB needs to win the home match against CSK by 18 runs or within 18.1 overs (assuming RCB bats first and scores 200).
- A victory against Kolkata in the last match will secure Rajasthan's second place in the points table.
- Hyderabad can also climb to the second spot if they defeat Punjab in their final match, especially if Kolkata loses its last match against Rajasthan (both matches are on May 19).
- Chennai can still reach the second spot if they win their final match and Rajasthan and Hyderabad both lose their last matches.
Schedule for Remaining IPL 2024 Matches:
May 17 - MI vs LSG - Mumbai
May 18 - RCB vs CSK - Bangalore
May 19 - SRH vs PBKS - Hyderabad
May 19 - RR vs KKR - Guwahati
May 21 - Qualifier-1 - Ahmedabad
May 22 - Eliminator - Ahmedabad
May 24 - Qualifier-2 - Chennai
May 26 - Final - Chennai
Source: aajtak
