IPL 2024 Qualification Scenarios: How CSK can qualify for playoffs after defeating RR?

The defending champions Chennai Super Kings registered a 5-wicket win over RR in the 61st match of the ongoing IPL 2024. With this win, CSK also moved to the third spot, registering 14 points and surpassing the SRH on the grounds of net run rate. But still, the qualification of CSK into the playoff stage of the tournament is under, a ‘conundrum’ as even the second team is still awaiting to qualify for the playoffs.

Owing to that, here we’ll have a look at the 3 possible scenarios of qualification for the reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings to secure their berth in the playoff stage of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 after the 5-wicket win against RR.

Here’s a look 3 scenarios of CSK’s playoff qualification in IPL 2024:

Winning their remaining match

After the win against RR in the 61st match of the tournament by a margin of 5 wickets, the holders are now in the third spot of the points table of the tournament, having 14 points with 7 wins and 6 defeats on their names in the 13 matches they have played so far.

Now, to ensure one of the main factors of their playoff-qualification scenario, CSK needs to win their remaining league match at any cost to end the league stage with 16 points and make their chances enough to qualify for the playoffs.

DC and SRH to lose their remaining matches

Apart from the top-4 teams, the teams from number 5 to 7 are also in the race for the playoffs depending on their last remaining matches of the league stage. DC and SRH are two of those three teams who might be a trouble CSK’s qualification.

Now onwards, CSK is also dependent on the defeat of DC and RCB in their remaining matches in the league stage of the tournament. It will the competition less for CSK to look ahead to the playoff stage.

Need RR to lose remaining matches for 2nd spot  

Besides mere qualification to playoffs, CSK might also be hoping to finish this league stage with their best performance and best position in the points table. So, the best position CSK can get now is to finish second in the table at the end of the league stage.

But it would be only possible for CSK if the current ‘number 2’ Rajasthan Royals lose their remaining two matches; in case of sharing equal points with RR at the end of the league stage, it will be beneficial for CSK as they have a better net run rate than RR so they’ll get the second spot while entering the playoffs.