With four games in the league stage of IPL 2024, only one spot in the playoffs is up for grabs. SunRisers became the third team after Kolkata and Rajasthan to qualify for the playoffs after their penultimate league game against Gujarat was washed out due to rain. Only two teams -- RCB and CSK -- have a realistic chance of sealing the last spot even though three teams, including Lucknow and Delhi, can finish tied on 14 points.
RCB host CSK in their final league game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and all eyes are on the big-ticket contest. It's Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni in what promises to be a nail-biting battle for a spot in the top four. While RCB can only seal the fourth spot, CSK can finish as high as No. 2 in the points table.
Sounds complicated? Well, it won't when we explain the possible scenarios later in this article.
Delhi Capitals are in the fifth spot with 14 points after having completed their league-stage matches. However, their poor Net Run Rate ended their playoffs hopes. Lucknow will end their campaign against MI in Mumbai on Friday and their playoffs hopes are next to nill because of the same reason - a poor Net Run Rate.
Here's how the points table looks after the abandoned game between Hyderabad and the Titans was washed out due to rain on May 16.
WHERE WILL KKR FINISH?
Remaining match: vs RR in Guwahati on Sunday, May 19.
KKR are assured of finishing on top of the points table for the first time in IPL history. KKR have an opportunity to end the league as the only team with more than 20 points.
WHERE WILL RR FINISH?
Remaining match: vs KKR in Guwahati on Sunday, May 19.
Rajasthan, who are on a four-match losing streak, are still well-placed to finish at the second spot and play the Qualifier 1 against KKR.
Rajasthan need to beat KKR in their final league game to be assured of finishing in the second spot.
If Rajasthan loses to KKR on Sunday, they need SRH and CSK to lose their last game to finish in the top 2.
WHERE WILL SRH FINISH?
Remaining match: vs PBKS in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 19.
SunRisers must win their last league game to finish in the top 2 spot.
Even if they win, they are not assured of the second spot as Rajasthan will retain their place if they beat KKR on Sunday.
HOW CAN CSK QUALIFY?
Remaining match: vs RCB in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.
CSK will be assured of a place in the top 4 if they beat RCB on Saturday.
Even if they lose, they can sneak through to the playoffs -- provided they don't lose by a margin of more than 18 runs while chasing 200 or more or don't less RCB chase a target of 200 or more within 18.1 overs.
CSK will be assured of finishing 4th if Saturday's game in Bengaluru is abandoned due to rain.
CSK can finish in the top 2 if they win in Bengaluru and SRH and RR lose their last games.
HOW CAN RCB QUALIFY?
Remaining match: vs CSK in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.
SRH confirming their berth in the top 4 has made the equation bit more difficult for RCB.
RCB can now qualify only with a victory against CSK. They need to beat CSK by a margin of more than 18 runs if they defend 200 or chase down a target of 200 or more in 18.1 overs or fewer. This will enable them to finish with 14 points and a better Net Run Rate than CSK.
If RCB lose or share points with CSK due to rain in Bengaluru on Saturday, they will be knocked out
