IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenarios After Mumbai Indians' Defeat Against Lucknow Super Giants

Mumbai Indians' playoff hopes were dealt a massive blow following their four-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 on Tuesday. Marcus Stoinis slammed a gritty half-century after a solid bowling performance from the LSG bowlers to guide his team to victory. As a result, LSG moved up to the third position in the IPL 2024 Points Table with six wins and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.094. However, MI's situation got worse as they remained ninth in the table with just 6 points from 10 matches. This means that MI will have to win all of their remaining four matches and they will have to depend of other results to go their way as wins in every match will only take them to 14 points.

IPL 2024 playoffs qualification scenarios -

Rajasthan Royals (Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1, Total Points 16, NRR +0.694)

Inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been the most dominant team in IPL 2024. The Royals have won eight of their nine matches this season and are currently placed at the top of the IPL 2024 standings with 16 points. With five games in hand, the Royals should qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs with games to spare. Led by Sanju Samson, they are one of the favourites to clinch the coveted title this season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Played 9, Won 6, Lost 3, Total Points 12, NRR +1.096)

Two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been one of the most impressive sides this season. Under mentor and former captain Gautam Gambhir, the Knight Riders have registered six wins and suffered three losses so far. The Shreyas Iyer-led side has been one of the standout teams with the bat and have the best net run-rate of +1.096 in the ongoing tournament. KKR need to win at least two of their remaining five games to book their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Going by recent form, KKR will be overwhelming favourites to qualify for the playoffs and finish in the top two.

Lucknow Super Giants (Played 10, Won 6, Lost 4, Total Points 12, NRR +0.094)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be one of the strong contenders to pip either CSK or SRH to finish in the top four this season. Led by star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, the Super Giants have already secured two playoff qualifications in as many seasons. Having already accumulated 12 points from 10 matches, LSG will need two more wins as they aim to make it three out of three in the IPL playoffs. Their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders will be extremely crucial for their IPL 2024 playoffs qualification.

Chennai Super Kings (Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, Total Points 10, NRR +0.810)

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have struggled away from home in IPL 2024. The five-time IPL winners, CSK, have registered just a solitary away victory over MI at the Wankhede Stadium, while winning four of their five games at Chepauk this season. Led by new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK have 10 points from nine matches and need to win three of their remaining five games to seal an IPL 2024 playoff berth. With two more matches still to be played at home, CSK will be one of the favourites to qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs.

SunRisers Hyderabad (Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, Total Points 10, NRR +0.075)

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) started their IPL 2024 campaign in an emphatic fashion as they won five of their first seven matches. The SunRisers later lost their winning momentum as they suffered defeats in their previous two fixtures. The Pat Cummins-led outfit has been overly reliant on their opening batters - Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma - who have produced blitzkrieg starts in most matches. Just like CSK, SRH have 10 points from nine matches and need to win three of their remaining five games to finish in the top four. With four home games still to go, the SunRisers should qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs.

Delhi Capitals (Played 11, Won 5, Lost 6, Total Points 10, NRR -0.442)

Delhi Capitals (DC) have won five of their 11 matches this season so far. While the Rishabh Pant-led Capitals are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2024 standings with 10 points, they have played the most number of matches at this juncture of the league. Having won three of their last five matches, the Capitals have still kept themselves in the hunt for a playoffs spot. With a net run-rate of -0.442, DC will need to win all their remaining three games with a good margin, if they are to have any hopes for IPL 2024 playoffs qualification.

Gujarat Titans (Played 10, Won 4, Lost 6, Total Points 8, NRR -1.113)

Last season's finalist Gujarat Titans (GT) have had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign so far. Under new captain Shubman Gill, the Titans have registered four victories and suffered six defeats this season. With eight points from 10 matches, GT's IPL 2024 playoffs qualification chances looks bleak. With a net run-rate of -1.113, the Titans not only need to win their remaining four matches with a huge margin, but they will also need favours from other teams to have any chance of securing qualification in the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Punjab Kings (Played 9, Won 3, Lost 6, Total Points 6, NRR -0.187)

Punjab Kings' record-breaking eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders have kept them alive in IPL 2024. Having registered three wins and suffered six losses, the Kings are languishing eighth in the IPL 2024 standings with six points from nine games. Interestingly, the Kings have not qualified for IPL playoffs since reaching the finals in 2014. Considering their negative NRR, PBKS need to win all their remaining five games with a good margin and also hope other results go their way if they are to make the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Mumbai Indians (Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7, Total Points 6, NRR -0.272)

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a dismal campaign this season. Under newly-appointed captain Hardik Pandya, MI have secured just three wins in 10 matches in IPL 2024. With just six points on the board, MI are languishing ninth in the IPL 2024 standings and almost need another miracle to finish in the top four. As a result, Hardik Pandya's men need to win all their remaining four games to finish with 14 points and hope other results go their way to squeeze into the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7, Total Points 6, NRR -0.415)

With a morale-boosting nine-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) still have a mathematical chance to qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs. Having bagged six points from 10 matches, RCB are placed at the bottom of the 10-team standings with three wins and seven losses. As a result, the Faf du Plessis-led side not only need to win their last four games with a massive margin, but also hope all the other contenders falter dramatically. Any more defeats will automatically knock RCB out of IPL 2024 playoffs contention. Hence, RCB have the least chance to qualify this season.