- Sunday, May 19, 2024
Former champions Mumbai Indians are the first team to get knocked out of the race for the playoffs in IPL 2024.
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is approaching its business end with all 10 participating teams trying to make the playoffs. However, only four teams will be able to make the cut while the remaining will have to try again next year.
With all the teams now having between two to four matches left in the league stage, what are their chances of them making the playoffs on May 21?
Only one team — Mumbai Indians (MI), who have won the tournament five times — are virtually out of the race to make the playoffs even if they are there arithmetically.
Read: Suryakumar Yadav blasts ton to end Mumbai’s losing streak
Here is a look at the teams’ standings and their chances of making the playoffs in this year’s edition of the IPL:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Matches 11 Points 16
With eight wins and three losses and an impressive net run-rate of +1.098, the two-time champions are almost certain to make the playoffs as one of the top two teams (teams that get two chances to make the finals). Shreyas Iyer’s side needs only one win from their remaining three matches to confirm a spot.
Read: Bengaluru’s late surge in IPL continues
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Matches 10 Points 16
Rajasthan slipped only their last match to lose the top spot in the points table to KKR but win four matches still remaining, they have all the opportunity to regain the top slot and go into the playoffs as one of the top two teams. Sanju Samson’s side has a NRR of +0.622.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Matches 11 Points 12
Generally known for their consistency, the reigning champions under the new captain Rututaj Gaikwad have seen more of a roller-coaster ride in this IPL and are placed third in the table now with 12 points from 11 matches with three more to go. They have a NRR (+0.700) in the positive and ideally should win all their three matches to make the knock-outs, something they have not missed much historically.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Matches 11 Points 12
Hyderabad would rue that the results of their last few matches did not go in their favour but still they have a fair chance of making the playoffs. One of the SRH’s advantages is that their final three games are against teams that are ranked low and given their batting firepower, they would also aim to better their NRR which stands at -0.065 at the moment. There is not much difference in finishing third or fourth but Pat Cummins’s side would aim to win all their remaining games so that any other team doesn’t knock them out.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Matches 11 Points 12
They also have the same points as CSK and SRH but KL Rahul’s side will be worried by their NRR (-0.371). They also have some formidable challengers in their last three games — SRH, Delhi Capitals and MI. While they must not only win those encounters but also do so handsomely so that they can pip into the top four. If they lose any one, Lucknow’s fate will be at the mercy of other teams.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Matches 11 Points 10
With five wins from 11 outings, DC can reach the maximum of 16 points with a 100 per cent record in their remaining games and that might not be adequate still. Rishabh Pant’s side also has a poor NRR of -0.442 and will have to pray that results of other matches also go in their favour.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Matches 11 Points 8
RCB’s chances also looked all but over after they lost six matches on the trot at one time. They came back somewhat by winning their last three games but still they have a mountain to climb. Faf du Plessis’s team can make a maximum of 14 points and unless the third and fourth-ranked teams at the moment do pretty bad from here, RCB’s chances look bleak. They have an NRR of -0.049.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Matches 11 Points 8
PBKS have a similar plot like Bengaluru. They can achieve the maximum of 14 points (NRR of -0.187) even if they win their remaining three matches and will have to depend on other teams’ performance to make the playoffs.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Matches 12 Points 8
MI can register a maximum points tally of 12 if they win their final two games but even that is unlikely to confirm them a berth in the knock-outs. Hardik Pandya’s team has an NRR of -0.212.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Matches 11 Points 8
Shubman Gill’s Gujarat are also on the edge of exit with just eight points. They have lost their last three games to be placed at the bottom of the table and even if they win the remaining three, it will be almost impossible for them to make the playoffs with the kind of NRR they have at the moment: -1.320.
