Can Royal Challengers Bangalore Qualify for the 2019 IPL Playoffs Despite Losing 6 Consecutive Matches?

As of IPL XII, with just a few matches remaining and no team mathematically eliminated, the future of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the playoffs remains uncertain. Given their recent losing streak, the question lingers: Can RCB still qualify?

Factors Influencing RCB's Chances

RCB needs more than just winning their remaining games to secure a playoff spot. Their performance, particularly in Net Run Rate (NRR), will play a crucial role. If they play in their home stadium, the chances of making the playoffs increase.

Here are the headline possibilities for RCB's playoff qualification.

Mathematical Possibilities

RCB, with 12 points from 12 matches, is still outside the top four mathematically. However, history shows that no team has made the playoffs with less than 14 points in IPL history. Given this, RCB would need to improve their NRR significantly by winning two matches with substantial margins.

High-Probability Scenarios

The following scenarios could lead to RCB's qualification:

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKI) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) RCB beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) Delhi Capitals (DC) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or the other way around Mumbai Indians (MI) beat SRH KKR beats KKI DC beats RR RCB beats SRH CSK beats KKI MI beats KKR

Based on these outcomes, the league standings might look like this:

Delhi Capitals – 20 points Mumbai Indians – 18 points Chennai Super Kings – 18 points Royal Challengers Bangalore – 12 points Kolkata Knight Riders – 12 points Rajasthan Royals – 12 points Delhi Daredevils – 10 points Sunrisers Hyderabad – 10 points

For RCB to surface, they would need to clinch their matches and hope for favorable results elsewhere. Winning both games and improving their NRR is crucial for their playoff hopes.

Umang Badetia's Perspective

::: A2A from Umang Badetia

RCB can qualify through a very narrow chance: RCB must win all their remaining matches to secure 12 additional points. Simultaneously, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) need to lose all their matches, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Mumbai Indians (MI) must win any remaining matches.

Adjusted Scenarios

SRH vs KXI – KXI RCB vs RR – RCB CSK vs DC MI vs SRH – MI KXI vs KKR – KKR DC vs RR – DC RCB vs SRH – RCB KXI vs CSK – CSK MI vs KKR – MI

These results would place DC or CSK with 20 points and MI with 18 points, securing the top three spots. RCB, KXI, and KKR would all have 12 points, and the team with the better NRR would qualify.

Conclusion

While the path to the playoffs is extremely challenging for Royal Challengers Bangalore, it is not entirely out of the question. Their performance in the remaining matches and the results of other teams will determine their fate. Let's hope the stars align for RCB in the final stretch of IPL XII.