IPL 2024 playoffs Scenarios: How can Chennai Super Kings qualify for playoffs after loss against GT in Match 59?

Gujarat Titans (GT) registered a clinical 35-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 59 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. It was a do-or-die match for Shubman Gill and Co., and now they have made CSK play their next two matches on a similar wavelength. The Titans have kept their playoff hopes alive, but they need to win their remaining two games and pray for everything to go their way to qualify for the playoffs.

Fourth-placed CSK's equation was simple - win all three matches and book a berth in the knockout stages. However, GT have spoiled their party and made their way tricky. With just two more rounds remaining in the league stages, as many as eight teams are still in the hunt for the playoffs.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table 

A bit complicated for CSK but not beyond reach

The easiest way for the five-time champions to enter the playoffs was to win all three of their remaining games (including today's). If so, they would have got 18 points and the road to the knockout stage would have been cleared. Now that they've lost against GT, things are a bit complicated but not beyond their reach.

CSK are currently fourth in the points table with 12 points from 12 matches. So now the maximum number of points they can reach is 16, which can be achieved by two other teams - Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Fortunately, DC and LSG will face each other and CSK should hope that the winners of this clash end up on the losing side in their last league game.

Another possibility for CSK is Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who are currently third on the table, losing one of their remaining games by a huge margin. And what if CSK lose one more match in the league stage? In this scenario, Gaikwad and his team will finish with 14 points and they will have competition from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) as well. 

RCB can be left off this list as one more loss will shut their chances and their last league game is against CSK. If SRH lose their remaining two matches by big margins, it will help CSK in this case. Or, CSK would hope the winner of DC vs LSG game loses their remaining match by a huge margin. If the Chennai franchise loses all their remaining matches, their chances of qualifying are very slim.