Punjab Kings’ clinical win against Delhi Capitals put an end to their playoff hopes later this season. Running at the bottom of the points table, the David Warner-led side has become the first team to be eliminated this season. But the scenario at the top of the table has been spiced up as Punjab took the sixthth spot after their performance on Saturday night. They have 12 points in their kitty, and with 2 more games left, they are fighting hard for the knock-out spot.
On the other hand, there is no hope left after the losses to DC and SRH on Saturday. While Delhi were defeated by Punjab, Sunrisers suffered a 7-wicket defeat at the hands of Lucknow Supergiants.
As the tournament enters the final week of the group-stage, let’s take a look at what the qualification scenarios are for all the teams currently:
Gujarat Titans
Having lost the previous match to Mumbai Indians, the defending champions will have to wait a little longer to qualify. However, Gujarat Titans are on top of the points table with 16 points.
Remaining matches of Gujarat Titans:
May 15: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
May 21: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
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Chennai Super Kings (12 matches, 15 points)
MS Dhoni’s CSK leads the fray with 15 points. They retained the second position after a win against DC at home. If they manage to beat KKR in their next home match on Sunday, they will secure the top spot and be very close to making it to the playoffs.
Remaining matches of Chennai Super Kings:
May 14: vs Kolkata Knight Riders
May 20: vs Delhi Capitals
Will Lucknow Supergiants be able to make it to the top 4 of IPL 2023? (12 matches, 13 points)
Saturday’s win against SRH brought them back into the top 4 of the points table but they still need to maintain the winning momentum. A win in the next two matches will take them to 17 points, which could help them enter the playoffs. So they cannot afford to lose from here.
Remaining matches of Lucknow Super Giants:
May 16: Vs Mumbai Indians
May 20: vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Mumbai Indians (12 matches, 14 points)
Mumbai Indians have stunned their fans and opponents alike with the way they have reached the top half of the points table. He was almost written off after a poor start to the season. However, the win against RCB took them closer to the knockouts. They have 14 points in their kitty, which means they had no option but to win both their remaining games
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Remaining matches of Mumbai Indians:
May 16: vs Lucknow Supergiants
May 21: Vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
How can Rajasthan Royals qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (12 matches, 12 points)
Rajasthan Royals are in a tricky phase where they cannot afford to lose matches anymore. Two wins in their remaining two matches will secure 16 points for RR but their fate will still depend on other match results.
Remaining matches of Rajasthan Royals:
May 14: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
May 19: Vs Punjab Kings
How can PBKS qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (12 matches, 12 points)
The win against Sunrisers Hyderabad has given Punjab a reason to remain legitimate in the race for the playoffs, but with conditions attached. With two more games left, they need to give their best shot and collect four points to end the season with a total of 16 points.
Remaining matches for Punjab Kings:
May 17: vs Delhi Capitals
May 19: vs Rajasthan Royals
Royal Challengers Bangalore (10 matches, 12 points)
Like Punjab, RCB too have a chance to end the league stage winning all their remaining three games with 16 points. Their fate will also depend on the results of other matches but at least they can give their best and leave the rest.
Remaining matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore:
May 14: vs Rajasthan Royals
May 18: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
May 21: vs Gujarat Titans
Can KKR qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (12 matches, 10 points)
Kolkata Knight Riders’ party was spoiled by Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, with Sanju Samson and Co. winning the match by 9 wickets. KKR must hope for some miracle to happen so that they can qualify with a maximum of 14 points if they win the next two matches at a decent net-run rate. But practically they are almost out of contention.
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Remaining matches for Kolkata Knight Riders:
May 14: vs Chennai Super Kings
May 20: vs Lucknow Super Giants
End of the road for Sunrisers Hyderabad (11 matches, 8 points)
Aiden Markram’s side were blown to shreds by LSG on Saturday. The loss of 7 wickets has left them at the bottom of the table. Even if they manage to win their remaining games, it will not be a happy ending for them in the season.
Remaining matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad
May 15, vs Gujarat Titans
May 18: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
May 21: Vs Mumbai Indians
Delhi Capitals were eliminated (12 matches, 8 points)
On Saturday, Delhi Capitals became the first team to be eliminated this season. The 31-run defeat at the hands of PBKS proved to be the last nail in Delhi’s coffin. Going forward, all they can do is finish the season in double digits and spoil the party for other hopeful teams.