IPL 2023 Playoffs Scenarios: GT one win away while RR, RCB, MI, PBKS stuck in mid-table jam

New Delhi: IPL 2023 is heading toward playoffs and fans are ready with their calculators and fixtures to know the teams set to qualify. Gujarat Titans stand tall as the table toppers with 16 points and after the win over Lucknow Super Giants, the defending champions are on the verge of qualification. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals are regaining form but it might be too late for them.

While CSK and LSG follow GT on the points table and DC, SRH, and KKR are at the bottom, there is an interesting jam between the rest four teams all with 10 points each. Here are the scenarios in which each team makes it to the playoffs, starting on May 23:

The Toppers: GT, CSK, and LSG

• After a huge win against LSG yesterday, the defending champions are a step closer to qualifying. After winning eight out of their 11 games, GT stands at the top with three fixtures remaining. Hardik Pandya’s team needs just one win to make it to the playoffs while they face MI, SRH, and RCB in their next three games.
• CSK has won six out of 11 games and stands in the second position with 13 points and a great NRR. While this is probably CSK’s skipper MS Dhoni’s farewell season, the team would not like to miss out on the trophy. They need to win two out of their next three games to make it to the playoffs without worries, or else they will have to back their better NRR to help them cross the line.
• LSG stands with five wins out of 11 games with 11 points and RR, RCB, MI, and PBKS are their competitors all with 10 points, out of which the last three have played a game less than them. While the team with 18 points qualifies with no worries, if they win their next three games, they will make it to the playoffs with 17 points.

Mid-Table Jam: RR, RCB, MI, and PBKS

• RR started the tournament well but has suffered three consecutive losses, including the last ball loss against SRH the other night. They have earned 10 points in 11 games and will be facing KKR, RCB, and PBKS in their next three games. They will have to win all three to make a comfortable case for them or else the qualification will depend on the NRR, which is on the positive side as of now.
• With five wins and five losses, RCB stands in the middle. After the loss against DC, the team failed to join the tally board leaders and if they win their next four games, they will have 16 points in the bag and a chance to make a strong case for themselves. Losing a game from here will affect their chances to make it ahead as they face MI, SRH and RR in the next three games which will give their opponents a chance to move ahead.
• MI stands in a same scenario as RCB and will have to win all four games to avoid NRR calculations. Their next game with RCB will be a crucial one as they both stand with equal points in the middle of the table.
• Shikhar Dhawan’s team is going for loss after every win lately and will have to win the next four games as NRR is not too much in their favour. They are also part of the mid-table jam with 10 points in 10 games.

The Bottom: KKR, SRH, and DC

• KKR had four consecutive losses which spoiled their chances and with four games remaining, they can reach a maximum of 16 points. Meanwhile, Nitish Rana’s team will have to depend on the others teams to not let four teams to qualify ahead of them with 17 or 18 points.
• After a poor start SRH lost their momentum in the middle and with the last ball win against RR, they have a chance to build back the momentum and win the rest four games. With 8 points in their bag in 10 games, the chances are bleak.
• DC had a horrible start to the tournament as David Warner’s team lost their first five games. They managed to win four out of the next five and make a case for them, which depends on the performances of the other teams. They will face CSK and PBKS twice and have no choice but to win those games.

Points Table