IPL 2023: Nine out of ten teams alive to qualify for playoffs as season nears second stage

Following Kolkata Knight Riders’ incredible six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings on May 14, the points table of the ongoing IPL 2023 got interesting, as nine of the ten teams are still alive to qualify for the playoffs. 

Delhi Capitals are the only teams that got eliminated after losing by 31 runs to Punjab Kings on May 13. Meanwhile, let's dissect where each team stands in the qualification race at the moment.

Gujarat Titans

The defending champions are currently at the top of the IPL points table and are on the verge to qualify for the IPL playoffs. Next up, the Hardik Pandya-led side will challenge Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 15) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (May 21) and if they manage to win either of those matches, GT will once again finish in the top four.

Chennai Super Kings

The four-time champions Chennai Super Kings have always been one of the most consistent sides in the history of the Indian Premier League. Nothing seems different this year even though they lost to KKR in the last match. With 15 points, they have more or less guaranteed their position in the IPL playoffs but nevertheless, they will have to beat DC in order to finish in the top two. However, if they lose and if MI and PBKS win their remaining matches, CSK will have to bow out of the tournament.

Mumbai Indians

The Rohit Sharma-led side needs to win both their remaining matches in order to qualify for the playoffs. However, if the five-time champions fail to do so and lose one, they will have to keep an eye on the net run rate as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings can challenge MI for a spot in the top four. On the other hand, if they lose both matches, everything will depend on their NRR.

Lucknow Super Giants

The Krunal Pandya-led side is ranked fourth on the table and needs to win both of their remaining games (against MI and KKR) to avoid any sort of complication. However, if they lose one, they can still qualify but a lot will depend on how Mumbai, Bangalore, and Punjab do in the league. However, if they lose both, they will have to bid goodbye ahead of the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

With a remarkable win over Rajasthan Royals in their last match, RCB have kept themselves alive in the race. They will now have to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in their remaining matches to secure a spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile, if they lose one, NRR will decide their fate while if they lose both, RCB will get eliminated.

Rajasthan Royals

After their crushing defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Sanju Samson-led side is in a very tight spot at the moment. They have won only two of their last eight games but, RR are still in the race to qualify. All they have to do is beat PBKS in their next match and improve their strike rate massively. That is the only way for them now.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Following an incredible win over Chennai Super Kings, KKR are still alive in the race to qualify for the playoffs. They now have to defeat LSG in their last match and will have to better their NRR in order to qualify. If they lose, that’s it for the two-time champions.

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings is very much one of the favourite teams to qualify for the playoffs. In order to do so, the Shikhar Dhawan-led side will have to beat Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in their remaining two matches. However, if they lose anyone, they can still qualify but a lot will depend on NRR. On the other hand, if they lose both, the team will have to bid adieu.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Aiden Markram-led side is ranked ninth with 8 points from 11 matches. They need to win all their remaining three matches against Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians in order to make it to the playoffs. However, even if they manage to win all three, NRR will decide their fate and if they lose any, SRH will be eliminated.