Can RCB still make it to the IPL playoffs this year?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) find themselves in a must-win situation as they gear up to face defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a crucial IPL 2024 encounter. After a rocky start to the season, RCB has staged an impressive comeback, winning five consecutive matches and surging into contention for a playoff spot.

With both teams having just one match left in the league stage, the showdown between RCB and CSK emerges as a virtual quarter-final. For RCB to secure a playoff berth, they must defeat CSK either by a margin of 28 runs or more or chase down any given target in less than 17 overs to ensure a superior net run rate.

Despite RCB's comeback, CSK will give RCB a tough fight, considering their earlier defeat to CSK in the tournament opener. However, led by Faf Du Plessis, RCB enters the match in a rich vein of form, posing a significant challenge to the Yellow Army.

A victory for CSK would guarantee their place in the playoffs, effectively ending RCB's campaign. Meanwhile, the fourth team likely to join the playoff race is the SunRisers Hyderabad, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) already securing their spot and Rajasthan Royals (RR) expected to clinch the second position.