New Delhi. The 50th match of IPL 2024 was played on Thursday. This match was between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). SRH beat Rajasthan by one run in a very exciting match. This was SRH’s sixth win and Rajasthan’s second loss. Despite this defeat, Rajasthan top the points table with 16 points and are almost certain to make the playoffs.
Apart from Rajasthan Royals, there is no other team that can be said with complete confidence that they can or will qualify for the playoffs. Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Supergiants and Sunrisers Hyderabad are second, third and fourth respectively in the points table with 12 points each. After this, the two teams are placed 5th and 6th respectively with 10 points each. Chennai Super Kings are fifth in the points table after winning 5 of their 10 matches. Delhi Capitals are sixth with 10 points from 11 matches.
In the first half of the IPL, it looked like Chennai Super Kings would easily make it to the playoffs. But Hyderabad’s win against Rajasthan has complicated the equation for CSK. The playoff equation has changed quite a bit since the IPL had 10 teams. Earlier, teams could easily qualify for the playoffs even with 14 points. Now even 16 points is not a guarantee of playing in the playoffs.
In the last two seasons of the IPL, three of the four teams that qualified for the playoffs had more than 16 points. Yes, the fourth team qualified with 16 points. This time also the team which wants to play playoffs has to score at least 16 points. If we look at this math from the perspective of Chennai Super Kings, they have to win three of their remaining four matches at any cost. On the other hand, if the top-4 teams Kolkata, Lucknow and Hyderabad win even two of their matches, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs will become very strong.
When Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, Chennai Super Kings will be keeping a close eye on them. Chennai fans will be hoping that Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan team wins this match so that CSK’s path becomes a little easier. It didn’t happen. By defeating Rajasthan, SRH not only dashed the hopes of Chennai Super Kings but also Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. Gujarat and Punjab have 8 points each in 10 matches. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore have 8 points each and only a miracle can take them into the playoffs.
Tags: Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2024, IPL play-offs, IPL Playoffs, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad
First published: May 3, 2024, 06:06 IST