RCB's qualification scenario: How can RCB qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs? NRR to play key role

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RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by 47 runs on Sunday to keep their IPL 2024 playoffs hopes alive. With five wins on the trot, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are placed fifth in the IPL 2024 points table.

RCB have 12 points from 13 matches (six wins and seven defeats). Sixth-placed Delhi Capitals, and seventh-placed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also have 12 points each. However, unlike RCB and DC, LSG are left with two league stage games.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are in fourth spot with 14 points in 12 matches. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jumped to third spot after beating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by five wickets on Super Sunday. The five-time champions also have 14 points, but have just one game left like RCB and DC.

RCB playoff scenario explained

With at least six teams still in contention for a top four finish, RCB will not only have to beat CSK with a comprehensive margin, but also rely on the match results of other teams to qualify for the playoffs.

RCB vs CSK: NRR in focus ahead of the crucial May 18 clash

RCB will have to beat CSK by 18 runs, or win with roughly 11 balls to spare while chasing to surpass CSK's Net Run Rate (NRR). The win with the aforementioned margin will help them equal CSK's tally of 14 points with a better NRR.

SRH and LSG have two games each left, and can finish ahead of RCB with 16 and 18 points respectively. Therefore, RCB would want SRH to lose both their games, and LSG to lose at least one. KL Rahul's LSG have a negative NRR of 0.769. RCB's NRR is a positive 0.387, SRH's positive 0.406, and CSK's 0.528.