IPL 2024 Playoff Race continues, 15 matches to decide the fate of 4 teams, Mumbai Indians hang on after win against SRH
55 group stage matches have been done, now just 15 matches remain. As the fight amongst teams continue in IPL 2024, the race for the Top 4 sees changes after every game. With most teams having played at least 11 matches, none has been able to qualify nor any team has been eliminated from the race for the IPL Playoffs so far.
As per the current standings, Kolkata Knight Riders occupy the top spot with 8 wins from 11 games. At the second spot is Rajasthan Royals with 8 wins from 10 games. On the other hand, down the table, Gujarat Titans are bottom last with just 4 wins from 11 games.
Rajasthan Royals qualification scenario
Rajasthan Royals have been the best performing team this season. With 8 wins and 2 losses, they are placed second on the points table with 16 points behind KKR who have played a game more.
Just a win from their remaining 4 games will seal their spot in the top 4. 18 points more or less guarantees a spot in the Playoffs.
Remaining Fixtures
DC vs RR on May 7
CSK vs RR on May 12
RR vs PBKS on May 15
RR vs KKR on May 19
Kolkata Knight Riders qualification scenario
Kolkata Knight Riders have been one of the most improved teams this season. Not relying on individual brilliance, but team work, KKR occupies the top spot with 16 points from 11 games. The Kolkata outfits also have a huge boost with an extremely superior NRR which will work wonders should things go south.
With 3 more matches remaining, a win for Shreyas Iyer and Co will almost guarantee their spot in the Top 4. Apart from Rajasthan Royals, KKR faces easy fixtures with the likes of Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. As a result, KKR can easily expect wins from these 2 games.
Remaining Fixtures
KKR vs MI on May 11
GT vs KKR on May 13
RR vs KKR on May 19
Chennai Super Kings qualification scenario
Under new captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings have been rather decent this season. 6 wins and 5 losses sums up CSK’s inconsistent form in IPL 2024. However, the Yellow Army is still going strongly and is placed 3rd on the Points Table.
With 3 games remaining, they will have to win at least 2 of these games to have some breathing space and reach the top 4. Furthermore, these wins need to be on big margin to substantially increase their NRR.
Remaining Fixtures
GT vs CSK on May 10
CSK vs RR on May 12
RCB vs CSK on May 18
Sunrisers Hyderabad qualification scenario
Highflying Sunrisers Hyderabad are placed 4th in the Points table. With 6 wins and 5 losses, they have 12 points under their belt. For SRH, the highs have been big highs as have been the lows. SRH have gone on to pile up massive 250+ scores on three different occasions this season.
With batters firing on all cylinders and 4 matches remaining, SRH needs 2 wins to make it to the knockouts.
Remaining Fixtures
SRH vs LSG on May 8
SRH vs GT on May 16
SRH vs PBKS on May 19
Lucknow Super Giants qualification scenario
LSG have been rather sub optimal as per their standards this season. 6 wins and 5 losses means they have 12 points and occupy the 5th spot in the Points Table. But another major concern for Lucknow is their extremely low NRR of -0.371. Should LSG aim to make it to the knockouts they need to win their next couple of games by a massive margin.
With 3 matches remaining, 2 wins should be enough. But there is a catch. LSG needs to win both games by massive margins to neutralise their low NNR. Else the safest bet for them would be to win the rest of the three games.
Remaining Matches
SRH vs LSG on May 8
DC vs LSG on May 14
MI vs LSG on May 17
Delhi Capitals qualification scenario
Delhi Capitals are 6th on the Points Table with 5 wins and 6 losses. Rishabh Pant and Co have performed in patches. They started poorly and then picked up momentum with a couple of wins. They hit the snag again before losing their last match to KKR.
As things stand, DC need to win at least 2 of their 3 matches and hope for favourable conditions. 3 wins can do the trick, should they go on to negate their poor NRR.
Remaining Matches
DC vs RR on May 7
RCB vs DC on May 12
Dc vs LSG on May 14
Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualification scenario
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the new team on the rise. After a disastrous start, Faf du Plessis and Co have raked up three wins on a trot to occupy the 7th spot. RCB has 4 wins and 7 losses under their belt. The Bengaluru outfits are not out of the tournament.
RCB needs to win their remaining 3 matches to be on 14 points. The job is not easy as they will have to better their NRR and hope favourable conditions work for them.
Remaining Matches
PBKS vs RCB on May 9
RCB vs DC on May 12
RCB vs CSK on May 18
Punjab Kings qualification scenario
Like RCB, the situation is same as that for Punjab Kings, only that the latter has an even poorer NRR. With 4 wins and 7 losses, PBKS are placed 8th on the points table. For Sam Curran and Co, the job is quite hard.
Punjab Kings needs to win their 3 remaining matches with big margins to increase their NRR. But that won’t do the trick. PBKS will also need to hope that favourable results go on their behalf.
Remaining Matches
PBKS vs RCB on May 9
RR vs PBKS on May 15
SRH vs PBKS on May 19
Gujarat Titans qualification scenario
IPL 2024 campaign hasn’t been good for the last 2 season’s finalists. Shubman Gill and Co have been rather poor with just 4 wins and 7 losses. Gujarat Titans‘ condition is same as that of RCB and PBKS. The Gujarat outfits need to win their last 3 games at all costs and hope that the other results work out for them to make it to the Top 4.
Remaining Matches
GT vs CSK on May 10
GT vs KKR on May 13
SRH vs GT on May 16
Mumbai Indians qualification scenario
Mathematically, Mumbai Indians are not yet out of the race for the Top 4, but the job is almost impossible for Hardik Pandya and Co. Mumbai Indians could manage just 4 wins from their 12 matches so far. Should they go on to win their last 2 matches, that takes them 12 points.
But 12 points might not be enough. But there is still a glimmer of hope. 3 big wins with huge margins will boost their NRR. Following which MI will have to hope for miracles to make it to the next stage as the 4th placed team in the league.
Remaining Fixtures
KKR on MI on May 11
MI vs LSG on May 17
Editors pick
