IPL 2015 Standings: Analysing Key Factors for Play-Off Qualification

Chennai Super Kings top the Indian Premier League standings after 24 matches of the regular season, and they look in impressive form.

The Rajasthan Royals have been pushed into second following two consecutive losses after five wins in a row, but they are tied on 10 points with CSK.

It is a further four points back to third-placed Kolkata Knight Riders, but after Mumbai Indians' victory on Saturday, things are close outside of the top two.

Read on for a look at the key factors that will shape the IPL and decide which four teams will advance to the play-offs this year.

Pos	Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Net RR	For	Against	Pts
1	CSK	6	5	1	0	+1.609	1077-116.4	902-118.2	10
2	RR	7	5	2	0	+0.140	1122-137.3	1092-136.1	10
3	KKR	5	3	2	0	+0.310	754-86.3	765-91.0	6
4	DD	6	3	3	0	+0.229	1005-119.5	964-118.1	6
5	SRH	6	2	4	0	-0.264	880-109.2	931-112.0	4
6	RCB	5	2	3	0	-0.270	824-95.1	869-97.2	4
7	MI	7	2	5	0	-0.553	1193-140.0	1219-134.2	4
8	KXIP	6	2	4	0	-1.112	919-120.0	1032-117.4	4

CSK Depth Vital to Topping Standings

Ross Setford/Associated Press

Chennai recorded their biggest ever IPL win on Saturday as they thrashed beaten 2014 finalists Kings XI Punjab by 97 runs.

Brendon McCullum smashed 66 off 44 balls at the top of the order, while skipper MS Dhoni hit an unbeaten 27-ball 41 to see CSK post 192 for three from their 20 overs.

In response, Kings XI were largely abject, managing just 95 for nine. They were impressively restricted by CSK's spin duo, Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja—who took five wickets between them—an area in which they had been struggling, per CricketNDTV:

Such a potent combination of aggressive batsmen and restrictive, wicket-taking bowlers will surely see Chennai top the standings at the end of the league fixtures.

They came in as pre-tournament favourites and are improving with every match, and now they are there to be caught at the top of the league, but they are unlikely to be reined in.

Despite consecutive losses, Rajasthan should hold their position in the all-important second spot to proceed to the play-offs, their strong batting lineup a key advantage.

The Best of the Rest

Thanks to Mumbai's Saturday victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, no team has been cut loose yet from the pack.

As noted by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, this is good for the competition:

However, Kings XI could well be left behind, their bafflingly poor form such a huge contrast to the 2014 tournament, per cricket writer Freddie Wilde:

Defending champions Kolkata have immense experience, which should see them claim a play-off spot, but breaking into the top two will be a challenge.

The likes of Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir and Manish Pandey know how to win in the IPL, and that should see them through.

From the remaining teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore should take the fourth play-off spot, with the arrival of Mitchell Starc being a key component.

Rob Griffith/Associated Press

The Australian paceman missed RCB's opening contests, and they struggled in the bowling department without him.

However, he has hit form straight away, taking three for 22 as Bangalore thrashed the Royals by nine wickets on Friday.

Paired with a batting lineup that includes the likes of AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, RCB now look like a force to be reckoned with and should make the play-offs if they can kick on from their Rajasthan victory.

There is still some way to go in the league, and it is close. But momentum will play a key role as the tournament moves into the second half of the season.