The stage is set at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, where the Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore are about to clash in a crucial match that will determine which team will face the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. The outcome of this match will also decide the teams that will compete in the eliminator match. Let’s break down the scenarios and understand how the teams stand to benefit or lose, even if rain disrupts the game.
Lucknow Super Giants, already out of the IPL playoffs, will look to spoil Royal Challengers Bangalore’s party and end their season on a high note. If RCB wins, they’ll secure their spot in Qualifier 1 and face the Punjab Kings, with the winner advancing directly to the final. The team that loses in Qualifier 1 will still have a chance to make it to the final by winning the eliminator match against the winner of the other eliminator match.
RCB currently has 17 points, and a win would take them to 19, propelling them to the second spot ahead of Gujarat. However, if they lose, Gujarat Titans will benefit. With 18 points from 14 matches, Gujarat is still in the running. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, is out of the top two spots after losing to Punjab Kings and will have to settle for the eliminator match.
If rain were to disrupt the game, RCB would be the beneficiaries. In that scenario, both Gujarat and RCB would have 18 points, but RCB’s slightly better net run rate would give them the edge. The net run rate is currently 0.255 for RCB, just ahead of Gujarat’s 0.254.
While clouds are expected to gather over Lucknow, the chances of rain causing a complete washout are slim. The playoff schedule has Qualifier 1 and the eliminator match slated for Mullanpur, while Qualifier 2 and the final will be held at the stadium.
Here’s a rundown of the playoff schedule:
- Qualifier 1: PBKS vs. TBD
- Eliminator: MI vs. TBD
- Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs. Winner of Eliminator
- Final: Winner of Q1 vs. Winner of Q2