IPL 2024 Playoffs: Can Gujarat Titans make it to top four? How can others qualify?

While Rajasthan Royals (16) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (14) are well-placed at second and third position, three teams -- CSK, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants -- are at 12 points each

Shubman Gill's return to form will provide a big boost to Gujarat Titans as they square off against table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in their must-win IPL game on Monday.

Gill roared back into form with his fourth IPL hundred to keep GT's slim playoff hopes alive with a comfortable win against Chennai Super Kings at home in their last outing.

Gill and Sai Sudharsan's twin centuries were the cornerstone of the hosts' huge total and their role will be crucial once again as they face KKR, which has become the first team to qualify for the playoffs.

As many as seven teams are still in the race for the IPL 2024 playoffs. While Rajasthan Royals (16) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (14) are well-placed at second and third position, three teams -- CSK, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants -- are at 12 points each.

GT and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are at 10 points and can reach a maximum of 14 points.

With a negative net run-rate, GT's chance are the least and it will take a miracle for the former champions to sneak into the top four. However, one thing is clear, GT will once again have to play out of their skin and register big wins to keep their mathematical chances alive.

In case Gujarat win both their upcoming matches, even if they win their last two fixtures, they are likely to miss out on NRR. Hence, they will first have to beat both KKR and SRH by unforeseen margins.

IPL 2024 playoffs: Qualification scenarios at a glance

Kolkata Knight Riders: 18 Points (NRR: +1.428)

Remaining Matches: Gujarat Titans (13 May), Rajasthan Royals (19 May)

Qualification Scenarios:

• In case they win both: KKR have already sealed their place in the playoffs, becoming the only team to do so in IPL 2024. Winning their last two matches would mean they will end the league stage in the top spot.

• In case they win one: Even if they win one match, they are likely to finish first as only Rajasthan Royals can acquire 20 points and their NRR is much lesser. In any case, KKR will still play in Qualifier 1.

• If they lose both: Unless Rajasthan win both of their last two matches and Sunrisers Hyderabad do the same and win the last two fixtures by massive margins, KKR will be playing in Qualifier 1 even if they lose their next two games.

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Rajasthan Royals: 16 Points (NRR: +0.349)

Remaining Matches: Punjab Kings (15 May), Kolkata Knight Riders (19 May)

Qualification Scenarios

• In case they win both: Their wins will guarantee Royals not only a Playoff berth, but also a Qualifier 1 ticket.

• In case they win one: They will still qualify for the playoffs in this case. However, their ticket to Qualifier 1 will depend on SRH’s outcome in the last two matches.

• In case they lose both:  Royals are still likely to qualify for playoffs as only CSK, SRH and LSG can acquire a maximum of 16 points, and LSG have a poor NRR. Hence, the Sanju Samson-side will be through as long as Lucknow don’t win both of their last two matches by huge margins, with both CSK and SRH getting to 16 points.

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Chennai Super Kings: 14 Points (NRR: +0.528)

Remaining Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (18 May)

Qualification Scenarios

• In case they win: If CSK win, they will acquire 16 points. Owing to their healthy NRR, 16 points will be just enough to qualify for the playoffs, unless SRH also get to 16 points and LSG win both of their last two matches by huge margins.

• In case they lose: In case CSK lose to RCB, they will be at the mercy of other teams. Firstly, they will have to hope that they lose by a narrow margin, so as to finish ahead of RCB on NRR. Even then, they will have to hope that either SRH lose their last two matches, or LSG lose at least one of their last two fixtures, with DC not winning their last match by a humongous margin.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 14 Points (NRR: +0.406)

Remaining Matches: Gujarat Titans (16 May), Punjab Kings (19 May)

Qualification Scenarios:

• In case they win both: If SRH win both of their last two matches, they will finish with 18 points and a place in the playoffs will be assured. They might also play in the Qualifier 1, depending on Rajasthan’s results.

• In case they win one: If SRH win one of their remaining couple of fixtures, they are still likely to qualify for the playoffs, unless both CSK beat RCB and LSG win their last two matches by exorbitant margins.

• If they lose both: Should SRH not win a match from here onwards, they will have to hope for multiple favourable outcomes – firstly, a CSK win over RCB, and then, at least one defeat for LSG and even if DC win their last match, it should not be by a big margin.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 12 Points (NRR: +0.387)

Remaining Match: Chennai Super Kings (18 May)

Qualification scenarios:

• If they win: Not only will RCB need to win against CSK, but they need to close the NRR gap by approximately chasing a 200-run target in 18.1 overs, or getting an 18-run victory if they are batting first and getting the same score. If they are successful in doing so, RCB will have to hope that LSG don’t win both of their last two matches, and DC don’t win their last match by a margin this competition has never seen.

• If they lose: They will crash out of the tournament.

Delhi Capitals: 12 Points (NRR: -0.482)

Remaining Match: Lucknow Super Giants (14 May)

Qualification Scenarios:

• If they win: DC’s chances of making it to the playoffs will be slim even if they beat LSG in their last match. Firstly, they will have to win by a big margin. Secondly, they will have to hope that CSK beat RCB and SRH lose their last two matches by huge margins.

• If they lose: They will crash out of the tournament.

Lucknow Super Giants: 12 Points (NRR: -0.769)

Remaining Matches: Delhi Capitals (14 May), Mumbai Indians (17 May)

Qualification Scenarios:

• If they win both: Despite having the worst NRR among the top 7 teams, Lucknow will qualify for the playoffs if they win their last two matches, provided RCB beat CSK. In case CSK win that fixture, SRH will have to lose their last two matches to make way for LSG.
• If they win one: If LSG win one of their remaining two fixtures, their chances of qualification are practically nil, owing to their NRR.

Mumbai Indians: 8 Points (NRR: -0.271)

Remaining Match: Lucknow Super Giants (17 May)

Qualification Scenario: Mumbai are already out of the Playoffs race, but other teams can bank on the five-time champions to jeopardise LSG’s chances.

Punjab Kings: 8 Points (NRR: -0.423)

Remaining Matches: Rajasthan Royals (15 May), Sunrisers Hyderabad (19 May)

Qualification Scenario: Much like Mumbai, Punjab Kings are also already out of the hunt.

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