Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have suffered seven defeats in eight matches in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Six consecutive losses in their recent outings have placed the Faf du Plessis-led team at the bottom of the league table, securing just two points. No other team has endured such a challenging IPL season this year.
Compounding their troubles, most teams have already completed eight matches each, marking the league's halfway point. This situation leaves RCB with limited time to turn their season around.
Despite never securing an IPL title, Bengaluru managed to break their playoff drought between 2017 and 2019, qualifying in 2020. However, their playoff streak appears to be in jeopardy this season.
RCB’s playoffs scenarios
For RCB to maintain any hope of progressing, they must begin winning their matches, commencing with their encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
In their previous meeting at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, SRH set the record for the highest-ever total in the IPL, amassing 287/3, with Travis Head contributing a staggering 102 off just 41 balls. In response, RCB managed a commendable 262/7 but suffered a 25-run defeat.
This match could potentially mirror their initial encounter in IPL 2024. Before the match takes place, let's look at RCB's prospects for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Traditionally, a team required 14 points in the IPL to secure a playoff spot. However, since the tournament expanded to include 10 teams, the fourth-placed team has consistently amassed 16 points.
RCB, on the other hand, only have six matches remaining, which means they can, at best, secure an additional 12 points, taking their tally to 14.
This poses a significant challenge for RCB. Their narrow one-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, where they were dismissed for 221 while chasing a target of 223, has seemingly dealt a severe blow to their playoff aspirations.
Are RCB out?
Mathematically, they remain in contention for the competition, but another defeat could render their chances virtually impossible. Their most promising scenario is to win six matches from this point onwards, and hope that no more than three teams accumulate over 14 points. However, even in this case, the net run rate could become a decisive factor.
