IPL 2024: Top Spot Showdown, CSK, SRH Vie for Playoffs Advantage as RR Crumble
Two teams have already booked their place in the IPL 2024 playoffs -- KKR are sitting pretty at the top of the table, but RR are going through a four-match losing streak ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament. Sanju Samson's Royals were comfortably beaten by bottom-of-the-table Punjab on a sluggish pitch in Guwahati on Wednesday - a result that ensured a first-place finish for the Knight Riders. Royals' late slump has put their hopes of finishing in the top two of the points table in doubt.
In the IPL 2024 points table, Rajasthan are still at the second position with 16 points from 13 matches. However, two teams are in the running to displace Rajasthan and sneak into the top two - Sunrisers and Super Kings. Why should Rajasthan worry? Well, the 2008 champions were almost unbeaten in the first half of the IPL 2024 season. They were dominating the top spot with 8 wins in their first 9 matches. However, familiar problems have come back to haunt them as they witness the late recession. Rajasthan will need more momentum ahead of the playoffs.
If they don't finish in the top two, they lose an additional chance to bid for a place in the finals -- teams finishing in the top 2 in the league stage have two chances to reach the finals. Winner of Qualifier 1 in Playoffs (1 vs 2) goes directly to the final. However, the loser is not eliminated as it will play the winner of the Eliminator (3 vs 4) in Qualifier 2 for a place in the final. For Rajasthan, the equation is even simpler. If they win their final league match against KKR on May 19 in Guwahati, they are assured of a top two finish.
Let's see the permutations and combinations to finish second in IPL 2024.
How could RR finish second?
Rajasthan Royals should win their final league match against KKR, and
Hope SRH lose one of their last two matches.
If Rajasthan lose their last league match against KKR, they will need both CSK and SRH to lose their remaining games.
RR, till May 16, has a poorer net run rate than CSK and SRH.
How can CSK finish second?
CSK need to beat RCB in their last league match on Saturday, and
Hope RR lose their last league game. CSK need SRH to win just one or lose both of their last two matches.
How can SRH finish second?
The equation for SRH is fairly straightforward -- win their last two games and finish second. SRH will be hoping that RR lose their last league match or at least don't win by a huge margin against KKR.