RCB's Path to Playoffs: Exact Score Needed to Beat CSK

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 race for the Playoffs took a dramatic turn on Sunday when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their 5th consecutive win of the season, beating Delhi Capitals by 47 runs. The victory did RCB a whole lot of good in the battle for a top-four finish, taking their overall points tally to 12 from 13 matches with a Net Run Rate of +0.387. RCB are next scheduled to take on the 5-time champions Chennai Super Kings, and it could be a virtual knockout contest between the two sides, with the winner of the contest going through to the playoffs while the loser will be knocked out. The Super Kings, at present, occupy the 3rd spot in the points table, with 7 wins in 13 matches. Their NRR stands at +0.528. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have an additional game in hand, have 14 points on the board with 7 wins in 12 matches. Their NRR stands at +0.406.

RCB's Chances of Qualifying for Playoffs

RCB's best-case scenario is SRH winning one or both of their matches to take the third spot in the points table and LSG not winning more than one. The final spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs would then depend on the match between CSK and RCB, with the contest turning into a virtual eliminator in the playoffs race. If it comes to that, RCB will surpass CSK's run-rate if they beat them by 18 runs or more (assuming the Faf du Plessis-led side scores 200 batting first). If RCB are given a target of 201, they'll have to chase it down with roughly 11 balls remaining. RCB's qualification for the playoffs depends on the following factors:

SRH winning one or both of their remaining matches

LSG not winning more than one of their remaining matches

RCB beating CSK by 18 runs or more (assuming CSK scores 200 batting first)

RCB chasing down a target of 201 with roughly 11 balls remaining

Other Contenders for Playoffs

The Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings next in their campaign. A single victory in either of the matches might take them to the playoffs as they already have 14 points on the board and an impressive Net Run Rate. Lucknow Super Giants are also in strong contention but they need to both of their remaining matches as the NRR is quite poor, at -0.769. The Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals are also mathematically in the race for playoffs but both of these sides can get a maximum of 14 points in the league stage of the campaign. Considering their inferior NRR, it wouldn't be practically possible for them to beat CSK, RCB, LSG or SRH in the top 4 battle.