IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals are looking like the most complete team in the Indian Premier League 2024. With the bat, they have Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer and the two openers who are firing again - Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal after a quiet start. With the ball, they have first-over lover Trent Boult, death-over specialists Avesh Khan and Sandeep Sharma and wily spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Royals have sailed through extremely well whether they are asked to defend or chase totals down. The only time they were handed a defeat was against Gujarat Titans when a Rashid Khan special overpowered them. In nine matches, they have eight wins and 16 points. The Royals are undoubtedly the table toppers with a day-light gap between the second-best in Kolkata Knight Riders, who have played one game less than the Royals but have 10 points.
But is there a way the Royals can still get knocked out despite enjoying this dominant run and having a healthy lead in the points table? Well, yes, they can still get knocked out in the league stage only and fail to qualify for the playoffs. Here's how.
How can RR still fail to qualify for playoffs?
RR have eight wins and nine games but do not have a 'Q' against their name. How much unlikely it might sound but if RR lose all of their games or win only one, they could still fail to qualify for the playoffs. This means even if they finish on 18, they might get knocked out.
Let's consider the next four teams in the standing - KKR, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants - push them to the fifth spot even if RR win one of their five games.
KKR's remaining games and hypothetical results to pip RR:
KKR vs DC - KKR win
KKR vs MI - KKR win
KKR vs LSG - KKR lose
KKR vs MI - KKR win
KKR vs GT - KKR win
KKR vs RR - KKR win
In this scenario, KKR will be at 20 points.
CSK's remaining games and hypothetical results to pip RR:
CSK vs PBKS - CSK win
CSK vs PBKS - CSK win
CSK vs GT - CSK win
CSK vs RR - RR beat CSK
CSK vs RCB - CSK win
In this scenario, CSK will be at 18 points, tied to where RR can go with one more win. But CSK can pip RR on NRR.
SRH's remaining games and hypothetical results to pip RR:
SRH vs RR - SRH win
SRH vs MI - SRH win
SRH vs LSG - SRH win
SRH vs GT - SRH win
SRH vs PBKS - SRH win
In this case, SRH will finish at 20 points and above RR if the latter win only one game
LSG's remaining games and hypothetical results to pip RR:
LSG vs MI: LSG win
LSG vs KKR: LSG win
LSG vs SRH: LSG lose
LSG vs DC: LSG win
LSG vs MI: LSG win
In this case, LSG will finish at 18 points and will be tied on NRR with RR if the Royals win only one game. On NRR, they can pip the Samson-led side.
RR might find it hard to qualify if they win one more but two wins shall be enough (even mathematically) for the 2008 champions to qualify for the last four.
