IPL 2023 | Qualification Scenarios for Play-Offs
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RR have increased their net run-rate [AP Photos]
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) hurtles towards its business end, the points table assumes a riveting guise, igniting fierce competition among the teams in their quest for a coveted spot in the playoffs. On Thursday, Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as the match-winner for Rajasthan Royals as he decimated the Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers with his explosive batting.
In the wake of this resounding victory, the Royals, propelled by their emphatic performance, have witnessed a meteoric rise in their playoff prospects. On the contrary, the Knight Riders, beset by a series of setbacks and dismal displays, find themselves teetering on the brink of elimination.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings are on the verge of securing their positions in the playoffs, leaving only the matter of determining which team will clinch a coveted top-two finish.
As the cash-rich league nears its end, let's assess IPL playoffs qualification scenarios for all the teams and the impending challenges they face.
1. Gujarat Titans – Played - 11, Won - 8, Lost - 3
Gujarat Titans currently reside atop the standings with an impressive 16 points. As they prepare to clash with the formidable Mumbai Indians today at the Wankhede Stadium, a win in this crucial encounter will ensure the Titans a coveted top-two finish in the league stages. Their exceptional campaign thus far comprises 11 matches, yielding a commendable tally of 8 victories while succumbing to defeat on a mere 3 occasions.
2. Chennai Super Kings – Played - 12, Won – 7, Lost – 5, No Result – 1
In the wake of a thumping win against Delhi Capitals, the Super Kings have fortified their formidable position within the tournament. With 15 points from a captivating dozen matches, the indomitable MS Dhoni-led brigade needs a solitary victory to secure a playoff berth and they will look to do so in their upcoming game against Kolkata Knight Riders.
3. Rajasthan Royals – Played - 12, Won – 6, Lost – 6
Rajasthan Royals’ resounding win over Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday, where they effortlessly chased down a target of 150 in a mere 13.1 overs propelled their net run-rate to such heights that it would prove extremely difficult for other teams in the middle of the table to surpass them, should they find themselves tied on points with the Royals.
Despite their commendable third position in IPL 2023 points table, the LSG, having an additional game in hand, technically holds an advantageous position over the Royals, as do the Mumbai Indians, who share equal points with the Royals and also possess an additional game in hand.
The Royals’ upcoming games against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Punjab Kings are must-wins for them but they are going to be challenging affairs, as both teams are also engaged in a fierce battle for a playoff berth.
4. Mumbai Indians – Played - 11, Won – 6, Lost 5
Mumbai Indians find themselves thrust into three high-stakes encounters that bear the weight of virtual knockouts. Their first formidable challenge looms ahead as they take on Gujarat Titans in a must-win clash on Friday. The outcome of this battle holds immense significance, for a victory is imperative to shield the Mumbai Indians from descending into the dangerous labyrinth of the middle-table tussles, where Royal Challengers Bangalore, Lucknow Super Giants, and Punjab Kings are already battling it out for the elusive final playoff berth.
With the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings almost assured of playoff berths, and Rajasthan Royals surging ahead after a resounding triumph, the five-time IPL champions need to secure three consecutive wins to secure their passage to safety.
5. Lucknow Super Giants – Played - 11, Won – 5, Lost – 5, No Result – 1
In the aftermath of their defeat against Gujarat Titans, which coincided with the Rajasthan Royals' victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders, LSG find themselves slipping down to the fifth position in the standings. Accumulating 11 points from 11 games, they now enter the fray alongside the Mumbai Indians, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the Punjab Kings in pursuit of the highly sought-after final playoff berth.
With only three matches remaining in the tournament, the Krunal Pandya-led LSG must strive to emerge victorious in all three. Even in the event of a defeat, the LSG's hopes of advancing to the next stage will persist, albeit dependent upon the outcomes of matches involving other teams.
6. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Played - 11, Won – 5, Lost – 6
Royal Challengers Bangalore harbour the potential to amass 16 points if they emerge victorious in all their remaining matches. Notably, they need to improve their lacklustre net run rate while doing so as it will come into play for qualification. However, the execution of such aspirations is going to be an arduous task, for two of their impending battles pit them against table-toppers Gujarat Titans, and the rampaging Rajasthan Royals. The Bangalore based franchise will also have to hope for other results to go their way.
7. Kolkata Knight Riders – Played - 12, Won – 5, Lost – 7
After being thumped by Rajasthan Royals with 6.5 overs to spare, Kolkata Knight Riders find their campaign teetering on the edge of futility. With only a minuscule chance of making the playoffs, and burdened by a negative run rate of -0.357, their prospects appear dim. The forthcoming challenges pit them against higher-ranked adversaries in the form of Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, and even triumph in both encounters would propel them to a maximum of 14 points which will not be enough for a top-four finish.
8. Punjab Kings – Played – 11, Won – 5, Lost – 6
Mirroring the plight of KKR, Punjab Kings find themselves in a parallel quest for survival, needing wins in each of their remaining three matches while simultaneously improving their net run rate. Currently securing just 10 points from 11 games, and burdened with a negative net run rate of -0.441, their aspirations hang in the balance. Two forthcoming battles against lower-ranked opponent Delhi Capitals and an in-form Rajasthan Royals hold the key to their playoff dreams.
9. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Played – 10, Won – 4, Lost – 6
Occupying the lowly ninth position on the league table, Sunrisers Hyderabad find themselves equipped with four remaining matches, presenting a slim opportunity to climb to a potential 16 points. However, it seems like an improbable task as they will have to secure victories LSG, GT, RCB and MI. Considering their form this season, the turnaround looks highly unlikely. Nevertheless, SRH possesses the potential to be party-spoilers as they could cause upsets and end the campaigns of other teams.
10. Delhi Capitals – Played – 11, Won – 4, Lost – 7
With their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs dashed, Delhi Capitals find themselves on the brink of elimination from the tournament. Their only remaining motivation now lies in avoiding the ignominy of securing the last spot, a dubious distinction that they have unfortunately held the most times in IPL history. With three matches left to play, Delhi will strive to salvage something meaningful from this year's tournament and conclude it on a positive note, aiming to finish higher than tenth place.
 "Jatin")
