IPL 2024: Lucknow out of playoff race, battle between Chennai and RCB for fourth place

The IPL 2024 season has now reached its final stage. Now only three matches are left in the group stage and the race for the playoffs, the teams of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals have reached the last four stages, while for the fourth place, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and There is a war between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). There will be a match between these two teams on Saturday and with this, the fourth team of the playoff will also be decided.

Lucknow could not reach the playoffs for the first time

Lucknow, which made its debut in the tournament during the IPL 2022 season, was successful in reaching the playoffs in its first two seasons. Although she could not reach the finals both times, the current season was not good for her. The team did not seem to be in its rhythm this season and captain KL Rahul's form was also under question. Lucknow defeated Mumbai by 18 runs in their final group match and registered their seventh win in the tournament. Lucknow's team is in sixth place with seven wins and seven losses in 14 matches, but its chances of reaching the playoffs are over and it is officially out of the race for the knockout. This is the first time that the Lucknow team has not been able to reach the playoffs.

CSK or RCB, who will move ahead, and whose journey will end?

Today is the most important match of the IPL 2024 season. If defending champion CSK wants to reach the playoffs, it will have to win against RCB at all costs, whereas for RCB too, only victory can decide the way forward. The match between Chennai and Bengaluru is being called a virtual knockout match. If this match happens, then fans can see fierce competition between the two teams to reach the playoffs. However, there is a possibility of rain in Bengaluru on Saturday. Overall, the match between Chennai and Bengaluru is being seen as a big match of IPL 2024.

CSK and RCB equation

Chennai currently has 14 points after 13 matches and their net run rate is +0.528. The team is in fourth place. At the same time, Bengaluru has 12 points after 13 matches and their net run rate is +0.387. The team is in sixth place. Chennai team will reach the playoffs if they defeat Bengaluru by any margin. A win even by one run would be enough for Chennai to reach the playoffs. To reach the playoffs, Bengaluru will need to win by a significant margin. Suppose, if Bengaluru team scores 200 runs while batting first, then they will have to win over Chennai by 18 or more runs. That means RCB will have to restrict Chennai to a score of 182 or less.

Suppose Chennai bats first and scores 200, then RCB will have to achieve this target in 18.1 overs or before. They have to win the match with 10 or more balls left.

The journey of these teams has ended

In the current season of IPL, three teams have qualified for the next round, while the journey of five teams has stopped in the league round itself. CSK and RCB are the only ones left in the race for the playoffs and today the journey of one of them will come to an end, while the other team will reach the knockout along with KKR, Rajasthan, and Hyderabad. Despite the win against Mumbai, Lucknow's campaign has ended. Lucknow is the fifth team that is out of the playoff race. Earlier, the journey of Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Delhi Capitals teams also ended in the group stage. Mumbai, Gujarat, Delhi, and Lucknow have played all their 14 matches in the current season, while Punjab has to play one more match.