RCB Can Still Qualify For IPL 2024 Playoffs. Here's How

Halfway through Indian Premier League 2024, and one of the most-talked-about franchises Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are reeling at the bottom of the points table with only two points and a poor Net Run Rate (NRR) of -1.046. After losing seven out of their eight matches, RCB can still qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. They have had a forgettable campaign this season with their bowling unit failing on multiple occasions despite some contributions from the likes of Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, and skipper Faf du Plessis with the bat.

Yet, all is not over for RCB, who can still make it to the top four albeit it is mostly a very unlikely outside chance. Let's have a look at all the possible permutations and combinations for RCB's qualification for the IPL 2024 playoffs.

IPL 2024 points table after 39 matches

RCB, as their head coach Andy Flower pointed out, need to treat every upcoming game as a knockout. They need to win their next six matches to make sure they get to 14 points at the very least.

RCB's next six fixtures

The basic qualification scenario for RCB would be winning all six of their remaining matches with a healthy margin to repair their poor NRR - against SRH, GT (twice), PBKS, DC, and CSK. That will give them 12 points and take them to 14 overall in the standings.

That said, even 14 points might not prove to be enough if they are tied with one or more teams in the standings with the same amount of points as their NRR has taken a severe beating already.

Permutations and Combinations

However, for RCB to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, the simple math is to back the Top Three (RR, KKR, and SRH) to win as many games as possible while the next six sides above them (LSG, CSK, GT, MI, DC, PBKS) lose