EXPLAINED: Why RCB's IPL 2024 Season Will Be Over If They Lose To Punjab Kings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 on May 9th at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Despite having a horror start to their campaign, RCB have witnessed some sort of a turnaround with three back-to-back wins in their last three games. However, despite this upturn in their form, the team faces a must-win situation against PBKS. If they lose tonight, they will officially become the second team to be eliminated from the competition after the Mumbai Indians.

RCB are currently on 8 points from 11 games with 4 wins. The most points they can reach is 14 if they win all their remaining three games. They are certain to finish below the Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, who are both tied on 16 points and occupy the top two positions in the points table, even if they reach 14 points.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are also on 14 points and have two games remaining. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals have 12 points each, and at least one of either LSG or DC are sure to reach 14 points since they play each other on May 14. Hence, four teams are certain to reach 14 points at least.

However, if they lose today, they can only finish at a maximum of 12 points. Hence, they will be eliminated from the competition, just like Mumbai Indians.

Punjab Kings are also in the same situation as RCB, with 8 points from 11 games, and will be eliminated of they lose to RCB. Hence, one team is surely going to be eliminated irrespective of who wins.

RCB still have an outside chance of qualifying for the IPL 2024 playoffs. If they manage to reach 14 points, they would have to hope that whoever wins the match between LSG or DC finishes at a net run rate lower than them. They would also hope that CSK lose all their three remaining matches, and also finish at a run rate lower than them. Onl then can RCB qualify for the playoffs.

After tonight's game against Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in their next two matches, as both will be must-win games against genuine playoff contenders. If RCB do manage to reach the IPL 2024 playoffs, they would surely pull off one of the greatest comebacks in IPL history.