RCB IPL 2024 Playoff Scenario: Can Royal Challengers Bengaluru Qualify for the Playoffs after KKR Defeat?

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered another major blow after a defeat in their latest IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday (April 21) at the Eden Gardens.

Despite a valiant effort, RCB lost by just 1 run, chasing a mammoth target of 223 runs. It was a nail-biting finish but the Bengaluru side fell short and suffered their seventh defeat of the season, sixth on the trot.

With the defeat, RCB remain at the foot of the points table with just 2 points from eight matches. They have lost crucial matches this season and as they prepare for the next six encounters, the route of playoffs have taken an uphill detour.

RCB Next Matches

RCB will now travel to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 25. Then they have two more away matches against Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings. After that home matches against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. In between the GT and and PBKS away tie, they face Gujarat at home as well.

IPL 2024: Can RCB Qualify for IPL 2024 Playoffs?

As the Royal Challengers now enter the final six matches of the IPL 2024 campaign, the maximum they can reach is 14 points. In the modern-day IPL scenario, since the introduction of 10 teams, 14 points haven't been enough for any team to qualify for playoffs.

Before that, back in the 2020 and 2021 season, teams qualified with 14 points and RCB was the beneficiary in one of those seasons. But with the teams above them, it will be difficult for them.

RCB will have to now win all of their six matches, as another defeat will end their tournament. Although 14 points still gives them a glimmer of hope, the spark only comes if Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders continue their winning spree.

If the likes of RR (1st, 12 points in 7 matches) and KKR (2nd, 10 points in 7 matches) continue winning their remaining matches (KKR and RR play against each other on May 19), that will keep RCB in the hunt as they won't have to play either of them anymore. Also if SRH lose against them in the next match and then gets at least five wins in the next matches, that would also help RCB's cause but winning six matches are imperative for Virat Kohli and co. As of now, the chances for RCB's progression look next to nothing.