With Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 league phase approaching the fag end, the race for the playoffs hots up with nine of the 10 teams still in contention for knockout matches.
Mumbai Indians are the only team which would not make it to the playoffs. However, Hardik Pandya's side is not out of the race mathematically, even though no team in IPL history have made it to the playoffs after only attaining 12 points after the completion of the league phase.
What are the minimum points for a team to qualify for the Playoffs?
After IPL became a 10-team affair, one has to attain at least 16 points to qualify for the playoffs. On only one occasion, did a team qualify for the knockout stages after achieving 14 points in Indian Premier League.
Rajasthan Royals' playoffs qualification scenarios
Rajasthan Royals are virtually in the playoffs after winning 8 of their 11 games. With three games to go, RR need to win just one win to confirm their place in the knockouts. However, they would like to end the league phase as the top two teams. The top two teams get two chances to find a place in the IPL final.
Kolkata Knight Riders playoffs qualification scenarios
With 16 points from 11 games, KKR are almost guaranteed a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Knight Riders still have three games to go. With a victory in just two of these games, KKR will confirm a top-two finish in the league phase. However, considering their superior net run rate (+1.098), they could still have a chance to make the playoffs even if they only win in the remaining three games.
Check IPL 2024 points table here Lucknow Super Giants' playoffs chances
With 12 points from 6 wins, LSG are presently at fourth place in the IPL 2024 leaderboard. The three games that LSG has left to play—SRH, DC, and MI—are very important. LSG needs to win all three games in order to guarantee their spot in the playoffs. The outcomes of the other teams will determine LSG's fate in terms of qualification if they can only win two of these three games.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's playoffs chances
With 12 points, Hyderabad are ranked fourth in the IPL 2024 points table after winning six of their ten games. The final three games for SRH are against PBKS, GT and LSG. For SRH to have a good chance of qualifying for the IPL 2024 Playoffs, they must win their remaining three games. The performance of other teams will determine SRH's chances of making the playoffs if they can only win two of their final three games.
Chennai Super Kings playoffs chances
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have 12 points from 11 games; they have won 6 and lost 5. CSK could attain a maximum of 18 points if they win the remaining three fixtures and could easily qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. Nevertheless, CSK's prospects of qualifying for the IPL 2024 playoffs will rely on how other teams perform if they lose even one game.
Delhi Capitals' scenarios for playoff qualification
With six victories from their 12 games, DC has 12 points. DC can only get to the all-important 16-point threshold even if they win their final two games. DC is now trailing the 12-point Chennai Super Kings in the team rankings with a net run rate of -0.316. Delh's chances for the IPL 2024 playoffs will rely on how other teams do, even if they win all two of their remaining games to get 16 points.
RCB's Playoffs qualification chances
Bengaluru can make it to the playoffs with 14 points if two of the top three teams end up attaining more than 22 points after the end of the league phase. But for that, RCB needs to win their remaining three fixtures. They are on a three-match winning streak.
Punjab Kings chances for IPL 2024 playoff qualification
PBKS has won four out of the 11 games played, attaining a total of eight points. Punjab Kings will have 14 points if they win their final three games. But just like the Delhi Capitals, they will still need to depend on the results of other teams in order to find a place in the last four.
Gujarat Titans' chances for IPL 2024 playoff qualification
Shubman Gill's side has an uphill task to find a place in the IPL 2024 knockouts. GT are at the first position on the IPL 2024 team rankings points table with eight points after winning four out of 11 games.
With a net run rate of -1.320, GT's is far worse than the IPL franchisees above them. Gujarat Titans' low net run rate makes it nearly hard for them to qualify for the playoffs, even if they win all of their remaining games to achieve 14 points.
Mumbai Indians chances for IPL 2024 Playoffs qualification
No team has ever qualified for playoffs with 12 points, the most Mumbai could have if they win their remaining two games. However, they are still mathematically in the race as only three teams have attained or crossed the 12-point-mark.