KKR and RR have secured spots in the IPL 2024 playoffs. KKR is leading the table, while RR is struggling with a four-game losing streak. Sanju Samson’s team was convincingly defeated by Punjab, who are at the bottom of the table, on a slow pitch in Guwahati. This loss confirmed KKR’s first-place finish. RR’s recent poor performance has raised doubts about their chances of finishing in the top two.
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Rajasthan remains in the second position on the IPL 2024 points table, having accumulated 16 points from 13 matches. Yet, their grip on that spot is under threat from two teams, the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Chennai Super Kings, who are vying to overtake them and secure a top-two finish. The concern for Rajasthan arises from their performance trajectory. Despite being nearly unbeatable in the initial phase of the IPL 2024 season, with 8 wins in their first 9 matches, they have encountered familiar challenges in the latter part, experiencing a late slump. Ideally, Rajasthan would have sought more momentum heading into the playoffs.
Failing to secure a top-two finish would deprive Rajasthan of an additional chance to qualify for the final. In the IPL playoffs format, the teams finishing in the top two in the league stage have two opportunities to advance to the final. The winner of Qualifier 1 (1 vs 2) advances directly to the final, while the loser gets another chance in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator (3 vs 4) for a spot in the final. However, Rajasthan’s path remains clear: if they win their final league match against KKR on May 19 in Guwahati, they will secure a place in the top two.
To analyze the permutations for Rajasthan Royals (RR) to secure the second spot in IPL 2024:
Scenario 1: RR Wins Final League Game against KKR:
1. RR needs to win their last league game against KKR.
2. Additionally, RR would require SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to lose at least one of their remaining two matches.
Scenario 2: RR Loses Final League Game against KKR:
1. If RR loses their last league game against KKR,
2. They would need both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and SRH to lose their remaining matches.
Considering RR’s current Net Run Rate (NRR) is inferior to CSK and SRH as of May 16, RR’s chances further depend on the margin of victory or defeat in their matches compared to CSK and SRH.
In summary, RR’s path to securing the second spot involves winning their last match and hoping for specific outcomes from SRH and/or CSK while also keeping an eye on the NRR.
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To outline the permutations for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to clinch the second spot in IPL 2024:
1. CSK must win their final league game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday.
2. Additionally, CSK would require Rajasthan Royals (RR) to lose their last league game.
3. Furthermore, CSK needs SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to either win only one of their last two matches or lose both.
If CSK fulfills these conditions, they would secure the second spot in the IPL 2024 standings.
To illustrate the pathway for SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to secure the second spot in IPL 2024:
1. SRH must win their last two games.
2. Additionally, SRH would benefit from Rajasthan Royals (RR) losing their last league game.
3. Alternatively, if RR does win their last match, SRH would hope that RR doesn’t win by a significant margin against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
By accomplishing these objectives, SRH can clinch the second spot in the IPL 2024 standings.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Punjab Spoil Rajasthan Royals’ Party, Beat Them By 5 Wickets
