IPL 2024: Can LSG and DC still reach playoffs?
What's the story
The playoff race has tightened as we are approaching the fag end of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Delhi Capitals' latest win over Lucknow Super Giants powered Rajasthan Royals to the playoffs. They joined Kolkata Knight Riders in the top four.
Meanwhile, DC are LSG are still alive, albeit mathematically.
Have a look at the playoff scenarios.
Match
DC beat LSG by 19 runs in Delhi
DC beat LSG in their final league-stage encounter of IPL 2024 at home.
The Capitals successfully defended 208 after restricting LSG to 189/9. While Ishant Sharma took a three-wicket haul, Arshad Khan's blinder toward the end went in vain.
Nicholas Pooran also smashed a valuable 27-ball 61, but LSG ended up losing.
Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs slammed half-centuries for DC.
DC
DC unlikely to reach playoffs
DC played their final league-stage match to get to 14 points. They went past sixth-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are yet to play their last game.
Although the Capitals are mathematically alive, they are unlikely to go through due to their negative Net Run Rate (-0.377).
If RCB beat Chennai Super Kings in their final match, they will finish above DC.
LSG
LSG all but out
Like DC, the Lucknow Super Giants are all but out of the playoff race.
Although LSG are yet to play their final game, they can attain a maximum of 14 points. Their NRR is also in the negative (-0.787).
Moreover, the Super Giants are below both DC and RCB on the points table.
Besides, several uncanny results will have to go LSG's way.
RR
RR through to playoffs
DC's win over LSG favored RR as the Royals qualified for the playoffs. RR have two games remaining and can go up to 20 points.
RR, with 16 points, can't top the standings if toppers KKR (19) win their final match.
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings were earlier eliminated from the race.
Teams
What about other sides?
Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are in contention to bag the remaining two spots in the playoffs.
CSK, with 14 points, are currently third. They will face RCB in their final match.
Meanwhile, SRH, placed fourth, can reach a maximum of 18 points as they have two matches to play.
RCB would want CSK and SRH to lose their remaining matches.