Delhi Capitals’ playoff chances suffered a major blow on Sunday (May 12) when they suffered a crushing 47-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Playing without their suspended captain Rishabh Pant, DC were bundled out for 140 while chasing 188.
When asked to bat first, RCB amassed a competitive total of 187 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs. After the likes of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli failed to get going, the in-form Rajat Patidar led the charge with the bat. The right-handed batsman scored his fourth half-century in the last five innings to propel RCB to a competitive total.
He scored 52 runs off 32 balls with the help of three fours and as many sixes. Will Jacks (41) and Cameron Green (32*) also played crucial knocks for the hosts.
In response, DC ended their innings. DC’s chances of winning the game looked all but over after they were reduced to 30 for 4 in the fourth over. A 57-run knock from Axar Patel helped them post a respectable total, but they were not in a position to win the game.
DC’s qualifying scenario after defeat against RCB:
The loss against RCB virtually ended DC’s chances of making the playoffs. They are currently in sixth place in the points table with 12 points from 13 games. Their last league match will be a do-or-die clash for them.
While a win in their last game may not be enough to progress to the next round, a loss will surely eliminate them from IPL 2024 as they will finish with 12 points. Four teams (Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings) already have more than 12 points. While KKR and RR have 18 and 16 points respectively, SRH and CSK have 14.
DC will hope that after KKR and RR, no other team or just one team manages to finish with more than 14 points to stay in the playoff race. For now, only SRH and CSK can finish more than 14 points behind KKR and RR.
Since CSK will play RCB in their last league match, a loss for them would mean RCB would also finish with 14 points. And if DC also finishes with 14 points, their fate will be decided by net run rate. DC has a net run rate of -0.482 and their chances of making it to the next round are almost zero now.