IPL 2023: Here's how Rajasthan Royals (RR) can still qualify for the playoffs

Even though Rajasthan Royals suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, April 14, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the Sanju Samson-led side is still in contention to qualify for the IPL playoffs. However, the road to the same is not an easy one.

First and most importantly, Rajasthan Royals will have to beat Punjab Kings by a comfortable margin when these two teams face each other on Friday, May 19, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. The team will be hoping to improve their net run rate in the match, as it will play a very important factor in their qualification for the next round.

Other than that, the 2008 champions will have to keep a close eye on the results of the other teams. At this moment, Mumbai Indians (14 points in 12 matches), Lucknow Super Giants (13 points in 12 matches), Royal Challengers Bangalore (12 points in 12 matches), Punjab Kings (12 points in 12 matches), Kolkata Knight Riders (10 points in 12 matches) and Sunrisers Hyderabad(8 points in 11 matches) are still in the hunt and thus, things look really difficult for Rajasthan.

Now, in order for RR to qualify, Mumbai Indians will have to lose their next two games against Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad. On the other hand, Lucknow will have to lose their last league game against Kolkata Knight Riders. Meanwhile, RCB will have to lose their remaining matches, that is, against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujrat Titans, while Delhi Capitals will have to beat Punjab Kings. Even after all this, the team will have to wait and see the results of KKR and SRH in the remaining games and thus, it’s very complicated for them at the moment. Net run rate will eventually play a huge role, and the team will have to keep an eye on that as well.

Notably, the Sanju Samson-led side is currently sixth on the IPL points table.