RCB vs CSK, IPL 2024: How can Chennai Super Kings get a Top-Two Finish and Play Qualifier 1?

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Chennai Super Kings will be up against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a virtual knockout fixture on Saturday (May 18) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

CSK are currently placed 4th in the table and occupy the final playoff spot, but a significant defeat can dethrone them from that position.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and his team will have to avoid a defeat by greater than 18 runs or an 11-ball margin to qualify for the playoffs, but if they fail to do so, RCB will leapfrog them into the playoff position.

On the contrary, as CSK take on the field, there will be a longing to finish in the Top Two of the points table, as that is still possible for them. In fact, CSK can finish in all of the positions from 2nd to 5th in the points table.

The road for playoffs is way open for the Super Kings, but the added cherry on top will be if they can attain a top two finish.

In IPL, the top two teams in the league phase get a special advantage in the playoffs. The top two teams play the Qualifier 1 - winner of that tie goes straight into the final. The losing team gets another chance to qualify for the Final by playing Qualifier 2 against the winning team of the Eliminator Match.

KKR have the undisputed summit in the points table, but the elusive 2nd place is still up for grabs.

IPL 2024: How can CSK get to the 2nd Spot in Points Table?

Chennai Super Kings will have to win their match against RCB, as it's imperative for them to finish in the top two. If CSK win their match against RCB, they will finish with 16 points and get to the 2nd place.

But their 2nd place finish will only remain if Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals lose their final league matches. If Punjab Kings beat SRH, and then Kolkata Knight Riders beat RR, CSK will end up in the 2nd position and play in the Qualifier 1 against KKR on April 21 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

If either SRH or RR win their match, CSK will have to settle for the 3rd spot and play in the Eliminator.