Halfway through the season, they are at the bottom of the points table – but RCB can still qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
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After 37 matches, the Royal Challengers Bangalore are at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table with two points from eight games. For perspective, table toppers Rajasthan Royals have a match in hand, but are 10 points ahead of RCB.
Yet, all is not over for RCB, who can still make it to the top four – that too with a gap of at least four points with the teams outside the top four. Here is how.
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For the sake of the projections, let us classify the other nine teams based on their current positions in the points table: Top Three (Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Bottom Six (Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings).
For RCB to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, the most convenient option is to back the Top Three to win as many as possible and the Bottom Six finish after RCB. There are multiple ways in which this can be achieved.
RCB matches
The most obvious starting point: it is best that the RCB win all six of their remaining matches – against SRH, GT (twice), PBKS, DC, and CSK. That will give them 12 points and take them to 14.
Both teams from Top Three (RR, KKR, SRH)
Since these teams are qualifying anyway, the outcome of games between them will not matter. There are only two of these matches, both involving RR, against SRH on May 2 and against KKR on May 19. Let us give RR the first match and KKR the second – though as we shall see, it will prove to be irrelevant.
One team from Top Three versus one team from Bottom Six (CSK, LSG, GT, MI, DC, PBKS)
The Top Three teams need to win these matches. This will ensure the Bottom Six fall behind in the race for the playoffs as RCB keep winning.
Both teams from Bottom Six
The basic idea is to ensure none of these teams catches up with the RCB. For that, in every match, the lower-placed of the two teams needs to beat the other side. That will ensure none of the Bottom Six creates a substantial lead over the other five, allowing RCB an easy pass.
If all of this happens, this is what the points table will look like.
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As is evident, RCB can not only qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs but do that with a four-point buffer. They can even afford to lose a game, particularly the one against SRH.
Of course, this is one combination, and RCB can make it even if some matches play out differently. For example, RCB will qualify even if CSK, placed below LSG, win the clash between the sides on April 23.
