Which 4 franchises have qualified for the IPL 2024 playoffs?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs in match number 68 of IPL 2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18. In a high-voltage clash, RCB put up 218-5 after being sent into bat. To qualify for the playoffs, they needed to restrict CSK to fewer than 201; they held their opponents to 191-7.
Skipper Faf du Plessis top-scored for Bengaluru with 54 off 39, while Virat Kohli contributed 47 off 29. Rajat Patidar (41 off 23) and Cameron Green (38* off 17) also came up with crucial knocks. Yash Dayal claimed two scalps, while Glenn Maxwell was economical with figures of 1-25 from his four overs.
With their sixth in a row, RCB became the fourth team to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. They finished the league stage with 14 points from as many matches and a net run rate of +0.459. It has been an incredible turnaround in fortunes for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who seemed down and out after seven losses, including six on the trot, in their first eight games.
Bengaluru join Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 playoffs. KKR were the first side to confirm their berth in the top-four. They have 19 points from 13 matches, with nine wins, three losses and one no result. Shreyas Iyer and Co. also possess an impressive net run rate of +1.428.
Shifting focus to RR, they have 16 points to their name from 13 matches, with eight wins and five defeats.
The Royals have a net run rate of +0.273 but are on a four-match losing streak. SRH also confirmed their berth in the IPL 2024 playoffs after their match against Gujarat Titans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 16 was abandoned due to rain.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have 15 points from 13 matches, with seven wins, five losses and one no result. Pat Cummins and Co. also have a good net run rate of +0.406.
Who will play whom in the IPL 2024 playoffs?
As per the IPL 2024 playoffs format, the teams ranked first and second will feature in Qualifier 1, while the franchises finishing third and fourth meet in the Eliminator. The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the winner of the Eliminator. The winner of this contest meets the winner of Qualifier 1 in the final.
KKR (19 points) are confirmed to finish as table-toppers and will feature in Qualifier 1, while RCB will end in fourth and will play the Eliminator.
The second and third spots will be occupied either by SRH (15 points) or RR (16 points) depending the result of Sunday's matches. While Hyderabad face Punjab Kings in a home game, Rajasthan take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Guwahati.