IPL 2024: Why is MI’s defeat good news for RCB’s playoff chances? , cricket news

Even after more than 50 matches have been played in IPL 2024, no team has been able to qualify for the playoffs and no team has been out of the race yet. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s playoff chances are in jeopardy after Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by one run on Thursday. Furthermore, MI continued their disappointing IPL 2024 campaign after suffering a 24-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday at home. Five-time champions MI are now on the verge of elimination after their eighth defeat in 11 matches.

The Hardik Pandya-led team will need a lot of results to make it to the top four.

Meanwhile, MI’s heartbreaking defeat has brought some confidence into the RCB camp, considering that Mumbai can reach the maximum of 12 points if they win their remaining three matches, which is challenging.

MI’s remaining fixtures

May 6: vs SRH, Wankhede Stadium

May 11: vs KKR, Eden Gardens

May 17: vs LSG, Wankhede Stadium

Mathematically, MI are not out of the competition yet and have an outside chance of qualifying.

First things first, Mumbai will have to win all their remaining matches to stay in the race.

RR and KKR are already on top with 16 and 14 points respectively and are far out of reach of MI. Technically, RR and KKR will need to win all their remaining fixtures to make way for MI.

The winner of the SRH vs LSG match on May 8 will increase to 14 points from the current 12.

The winner of the SRH vs LSG game will have to win their remaining three matches and get at least 16 points. The winner of this match will have to win his remaining three matches also.

Whereas, the loser of the game will have to lose their next three matches also and end their season with 12 points.

Finally, no team finishing outside the top four should go beyond 12 points.

In such a scenario, Mumbai could end up tied with the other five teams on 12 points each and would need a significant NRR boost to climb the ladder and grab the fourth position in the standings.

On the other hand, RCB are currently at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table with only three wins from 10 matches.

However, they look to be in a better position than MI after winning two consecutive games against SRH and GT.

Despite early setbacks this season, RCB still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs. Their recovery work begins on Saturday against struggling GT at home and RCB will need to make the most of the game.

remaining matches of rcb

4 May: vs GT, Bengaluru

9 May: vs PBKS, Dharamshala

May 12: vs DC, Bengaluru

May 18: vs CSK, Bengaluru

Like any other team, which is in the bottom half of the points table, RCB also needs to win their remaining four fixtures and hopefully, they will utilize the home advantage with three more fixtures to be played at the Chinnaswamy.

However, for RCB to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, the simple math is to favor the top three (RR, KKR, and any one of SRH/LSG) to win as many games as possible while on top of their The next six teams should lose. So much so that RCB can remain above them in the standings. Here are some possible ways in which this can be achieved.

RCB would like the winner of the SRH vs LSG match on May 8 to win all their remaining matches and secure their place in at least the top three.

They also want the loser of the SRH vs LSG game to lose their next three matches and be stuck on 12 points.

MI must not win more than two of their remaining four league games.

GT and PBKS must not win more than two of their remaining four league games.

CSK and DC should not win more than one of their remaining league games.

RR and KKR must win at least three of their remaining four league matches.

To summarise, RCB should hope that all the above changes suit them as the six teams above them suffer heavy defeats while the Royal Challengers get an impressive win to clinch the fourth spot for IPL 2024 playoff qualification. Will have to do.