Stats Analysis

IPL 2024 scenarios - RCB vs CSK for final playoff spot

Royals also get a new lease of life for finishing in the top two after the Hyderabad washout

S Rajesh
S Rajesh
16-May-2024
Mohammed Siraj had to take flight to give Cameron Green a celebratory hug, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2024, Chennai, March 22, 2024

Associated Press

The washout in Hyderabad means Sunrisers Hyderabad join Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders (confirmed first) as three of the four playoff teams. The battle now shifts to the last available playoff spot as well as the prized second position on the points table. Here are the teams in contention.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Played: 13, points: 15, NRR: 0.406
Game left: PBKS (h)
The one point earned in the washout against Gujarat Titans takes SRH into the playoffs. However, a top-two finish is no longer in their own hands, as Rajasthan Royals can go past them to 18 points even if SRH win their final league game and finish on 17. SRH can still take second position if they win their last match and RR lose theirs. However, if SRH's last match is also washed out and they finish on 16, then RR's 16 points will place them higher on the points table as they have won eight games, compared to seven for SRH.
Rajasthan Royals
Played: 13, points: 16, NRR: 0.273
Remaining mat: KKR (h)
RR will certainly take the second place if they beat Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. If they lose, they can cling on to No. 2 if SRH get no more than one point from their final game, and if CSK get no more than one point versus RCB. If SRH's game is washed out again, they will have fewer wins than RR, which is the first tie-breaker ahead of the net run rate if teams are on equal points.
However, RR could drop to fourth place if they lose to KKR, SRH beat PBKS, and CSK beat RCB.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Played: 13, points: 12, NRR: 0.387
Remaining mat: CSK (h)
The task for RCB is now clear: Assuming a score of 200, they need to beat CSK by 18 runs or chase the target with about 11 balls to spare. A washout will wash away their playoff hopes, while a reduced game will also make their task tougher as they will still need to win by the same margin to go past CSK on net run rate.
Chennai Super Kings
Played: 13, points: 14, NRR: 0.528
Remaining mat: RCB (a)
CSK need one point to qualify, which means a washout will take them through. However, if they win, they have a shot at moving up to second position if RR lose, and if SRH get no more than one point from their final game.

S Rajesh is stats editor of ESPNcricinfo. @rajeshstats