Can RCB still qualify for IPL 2024 Playoffs? Yes, with a little help from others… here’s how
IPL 2024 playoffs scenario: RCB can still qualify for the IPL playoffs, but they will need some help from other teams. (PHOTO: PTI)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli tosses his bat after his dismissal during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujrat Titans, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (PTI Photo)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their third successive IPL match on Saturday night to keep their slim chance of qualifying for IPL 2024 playoffs alive. They defeated Gujarat Titans at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium by four wickets.
This is a remarkable turnaround for RCB, who were at the bottom of the IPL 2024 standings after eight matches, having won just a single game. But after their third win in a row in IPL 2024, they have climbed to the seventh spot. Punjab Kings and Gujarat also have eight points each, but PBKS have played one less match in IPL 2024.
Thanks to Saturday’s win, RCB improved their NRR to -0.049 while GT’s run rate dropped to -1.320.
How can RCB still qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs
The win over Gujarat — with 38 deliveries to spare — was the first step that RCB needed to take to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, because it gave them two points and boosted their NRR.
Faf du Plessis and Co now has eight points from 11 games. If they will all their three IPL 2024 matches, they can get to 14 points.
Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrates the wicket of Shahrukh Khan of Gujarat Titans with players during match 52 of the Indian Premier League season 17 (IPL 2024) between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans held at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on the 4th May 2024. (Photo by Arjun Singh / Sportzpics for IPL)
Who RCB play next: RCB’s remaining opponents are Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.
What RCB need to hope for: Even if they win all their remaining three games, RCB needs to hope one of Sunrisers Hyderabad or Lucknow Super Giants does not get more than one win. Both teams have 12 points from 10 games. they also need to pray that Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, both on 10 points, should not get more than two wins. Similarly, Punjab, who have eight points from 10 games, should not win more than three games. They will also need RR and KKR to win all their remaining games.
If these scenarios play out, up to six teams will be tied on 14 points, bringing the net run rate into the picture.
Why RCB will have one eye on SRH vs LSG IPL match: The Bengaluru team will be hoping that the team which wins SRH vs LSG contest on May 8 wins all their remaining games while the loser o the clash also ends up losing the rest of their clashes and remains moored at 12 points.
Does RCB have any wiggle room? Yes, there is a slim chance that RCB can make it to the playoffs with one more loss, that is with 12 points in their kitty. If RCB lose one more match, they have to hope the teams above also do not get to more than 12 points, forcing a decider on net run rate.
IPL 2024 Points Table updated after RCB vs GT match
| Positions | Teams | Matches played | Win | Loss | NRR | For | Against | Points | Recent Form |
| 1. | RR | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0.622 | 1848/192.1 | 1799/200.0 | 16 | L, W, W, W, W |
| 2. | KKR | 10 | 7 | 3 | 1.098 | 1997/189.0 | 1859/196.2 | 14 | W,W,L,W,L |
| 3. | LSG | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0.094 | 1778/197.5 | 1715/192.5 | 12 | W,L,W,W,L |
| 4. | SRH | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0.072 | 2050/198.1 | 2046/199.1 | 12 | W,L,W,W,L |
| 5. | CSK | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0.627 | 1825/196.2 | 1686/194.3 | 10 | L, W,L,L,W |
| 6. | DC | 11 | 5 | 6 | -0.442 | 2004/207.0 | 2185/215.5 | 10 | L,W,W,L,W |
| 7. | RCB | 11 | 4 | 7 | -0.049 | 2112/209.0 | 2134/210.1 | 8 | W,W,W,L,L |
| 8. | PBKS | 10 | 4 | 6 | -0.062 | 1808/195.4 | 1845/198.2 | 8 | W,W,L, L,L |
| 9. | GT | 11 | 4 | 7 | -1.320 | 1809/218.2 | 1905/198.2 | 8 | L,L,L,W,L |
| 10. | MI | 11 | 3 | 8 | -0.356 | 2059/215.3 | 2116/213.3 | 6 | L,L,L,L,W |
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