How RCB can qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs after kicking Punjab Kings out of the race?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru stalled the show by registering a 60-run win over Punjab Kings in a must-win match on Thursday (May 9) in Dharamsala. Virat Kohli set the tone by slamming 92 runs off 47 balls. It was a must-win for both teams and the result went in favour of RCB and now they keep their hopes alive for a spot in the playoffs in the current season.

How can RCB qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs?

RCB takes the seventh spot on the points table with 10 points after Thursday’s game. RCB has two matches left before the playoffs begin — one against Delhi Capitals and the second against Chennai Super Kings. RCB needs to win both matches with a big margin so that their run rate improves and then will have to pray for the results of other matches to go in their favour, meaning LSG, DC and CSK losing their remaining games will help RCB.

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Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar conjured up superlative fifties before the bowlers joined the party as RCB kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Kohli’s 47-ball 92 was the cornerstone of RCB’s innings as he starred in two partnerships — 72 off 32 balls with Patidar (55 off 23 balls) and 92 off 46 balls with Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls) to propel the team to 241/7.

In reply, Rilee Rossouw put up a show with a 27-ball 61-run knock but Karn Sharma’s twin strike triggered a collapse as PBKS were all out for 181 in 17 overs. This was a fourth successive win for RCB and it took them to 10 points, while PBKS (8) were knocked out of the playoff race as they can reach a maximum of 12 points from the remaining two games.

“That’s the beauty of having Virat in your team, as an opposition you can’t give him that many chances”, said Cameron Green in the post-match press meet. The Australian all-rounder, who helped himself to a 27-ball 46, said Kohli was trying to be aggressive and the drops did not affect him.

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“He’s always going to make you hurt, especially if you drop him three or four times. Early in his innings, he was trying to be aggressive. I think he looked like after a couple of dropped catches, he didn’t have much to lose”, added Green.

Punjab will now play their last two matches against Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad which will effectively be dead rubbers for them. However, their opposition SRH and RR are tight contestants for this year’s IPL title.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow