New Delhi: IPL 2023 is set to enter the playoffs stage and there is still a jam in the points table. With just nine games left before the playoffs, four teams are lurking at 12 points while Delhi Capitals was the first team to be eliminated. RCB’s huge win over RR has boosted their chances while GT and CSK are sitting on the verge of qualification.
GT is on the top of the points table with 16 points while SRH, which is still in contention, is on 8 points with three more games to go.
Gujarat Titans
With two games to go, GT just needs one win to qualify for the playoffs. While GT has 16 points in the bag, MI, CSK, and LSG are the only teams that have the potential to qualify ahead of them, in case the Titans lose both their games. Even after losing both games, GT will tie at 16 points with other teams, and then their NRR of 0.761 comes into play.
Chennai Super Kings
CSK is set to face DC in their last game and after an emotional lap of honour at Chepauk, fans will want MS Dhoni to play in the playoffs. With 15 points in the pocket, if CSK beats DC they will qualify ahead, but if they lose the game, then they will want other results to go their way as not only GT, MI, and LSG might qualify ahead of them but RCB, RR, KKR and PBKS have chance to touch the 16-point mark.
Mumbai Indians
With four wins in the last five games, MI has the potential to finish as table toppers. MI has to win both their games against LSG and SRH to qualify without any worries, but if they lose a game, then they will have to depend on other results and NRR as they will finish on 16 points.
Lucknow Super Giants
With 13 points after 12 games, LSG stands in the fourth position. If LSG wins their both games, they will qualify with 17 points but if it loses a game, then the NRR will come into play as they finish with 15 points.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB’s big win over RR took their NRR from -0.345 to 0.166. With two wins in two games, RCB can score maximum 16 points and will needs other results to go in their favour. With a better run rate than MI and PBKS, RCB is still strong for contention for playoffs.
Rajasthan Royals
While RR also stands at 12 points currently, they have only one more game to go and thin thread-like chances to qualify. If they win their game against PBKS, RR will end with 14 points and will need a lot of results and NRR to go in their favour. They would want RCB, LSG and PBKS to lose their both games and SRH to lose atleat a game to qualify with a better NRR over KKR.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR stands in a similar situation as RR. Knight Riders can finish with a maximum of 14 points if they win over LSG and will depend on other results.
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings have a chance to finish at 16-point mark but the NRR of -0.268 is not working in their favour. They will need two wins in two games to make a case for themselves.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH is lurking behind with 8 points on the board but is the only team with three more games to go. If they win all their three games, SRH will touch 14 points and can qualify ahead with some other results and mainly NRR bending in their favour. Though theoritically they have chances to move ahead, practically the chances look bleak.
