The race to the IPL 2024 playoffs is heating up as the 17th season nears its end, with just two weeks left in the league stage. Each game is crucial, and the upcoming clash PBKS vs CSK IPL 2024 clash is no exception. Let us take a look at how the result of the game will affect the playoff scenario for all the teams.
IPL 2024 playoffs race heats up
Not a single team has secured a playoff spot yet, not even the current leaders Rajasthan Royals (RR), who have accumulated 16 points in 10 matches.
Similarly, no team has been officially eliminated from playoff contention, not even Mumbai Indians (MI), despite losing eight of their 11 matches this season. Although teams like MI and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have a slim chance of making the playoffs from the bottom two spots in the IPL 2024 points table, it is the four teams playing on Sunday that have a more realistic shot at a top-four finish.
For Punjab Kings, a victory today against Chennai Super Kings offers an excellent opportunity to shake up the points table. CSK, with 10 points from 10 matches, need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and his team must win at least their next two games to have a chance at qualification. A loss to Punjab, especially after their recent defeat to the same team in Chennai, could put their playoff dreams in jeopardy.
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How will the result of PBKS vs CSK impact the IPL playoffs?
However, a win for CSK on Sunday would not only end their five-match losing streak against PBKS but also propel them back into the top three. This is due to their superior net run rate (NRR) compared to teams like Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
If Punjab wins, they would jump from their current seventh spot to fifth place, while CSK would drop to sixth. A loss for Chennai would put them on the same points as Delhi Capitals (DC), with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. This outcome might not directly impact teams like Gujarat Titans (GT), RCB, and MI, but it could certainly make things easier by taking the pressure for them who will need the other teams to slip up to make their way.
IPL 2024 points table
| POS | TEAM | P | W | L | NRR | PTS |
| 1 | RR | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0.622 | 16 |
| 2 | KKR | 10 | 7 | 3 | 1.098 | 14 |
| 3 | LSG | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0.094 | 12 |
| 4 | SRH | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0.072 | 12 |
| 5 | CSK | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0.627 | 10 |
| 6 | DC | 11 | 5 | 6 | -0.442 | 10 |
| 7 | RCB | 11 | 4 | 7 | -0.049 | 8 |
| 8 | PBKS | 10 | 4 | 6 | -0.062 | 8 |
| 9 | GT | 11 | 4 | 7 | -1.32 | 8 |
| 10 | MI | 11 | 3 | 8 | -0.356 | 6 |
