IPL 2024 Qualification Scenarios: How can Royal Challenges Bengaluru qualify for playoffs after loss against Rajasthan Royals?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru were dealt a huge blow after they lost the game to Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Virat Kohli scored his 8^th IPL ton to help RCB post a decent-looking 183 runs on the board. Jos Buttler though spoiled the party as he scored a timely ton in his 100^th game to help RR win by six wickets. 

The loss now puts RCB in the 9^th spot just above Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 points table. So far Faf Du Plessis and his side have played five games with four losses and a single win. That win too came in dire circumstances against PBKS as Dinesh Karthik turned hero with the bat.

With nine games left to play this season, there are early questions about the likelihood of RCB making it to the top-four spot. Despite possessing huge names in the team if the Bengaluru outfit do not make the top four their season would be a serious letdown. 

Also check: IPL 2024 Points Table

Important games set to decide RCB’s Future?

After the loss to Rajasthan Royals, the RCB outfit have two tough games next. Firstly they travel to Mumbai to take on Mumbai Indians on Thursday. Mumbai Indians are 8^th in the table having beaten Delhi Capitals to win their first game of IPL 2024.

The following Monday, Pat Cummins will visit Bengaluru along with his Sunrisers Hyderabad side. Considering the batting firepower SRH have this will be a difficult game for the home side.

If RCB win either of the above two aforementioned matches they will head into the half-way stage of the season with 2 wins. Ideally, RCB would want to win both and position themselves with three wins as the season completes its midway point.  

RCB then travel to Kolkata to face KKR in a grudge match after the walloping they got earlier in the season. This will be followed by a visit to Hyderabad for the return fixture against SRH.

After the away game to SRH, it is time for a home and away encounter against the Gujarat Titans. At this point of the season, RCB would have played 11 games and would have needed to win at least five to stay in contention for a playoff place. So the equation from here on is simple, RCB cannot afford any more slips and need to win all their matches.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Schedule

The final three games of the season will be against PBKS in Dharamshala and Delhi Capitals at home. Ironically the last game for RCB of IPL 2024 is at home to Chennai Super Kings, the very same team that they began their campaign against.

With nine games left in IPL 2024, RCB are already having their back against the wall. To qualify they would need to win at least 7 out of those 9 games to end up with 16 points. In recent seasons we have seen the 4^th placed team needing at least 16 points to make it to the playoffs. A few more losses could bring curtains to RCB’s hopes and an early exit could be on the cards.