In a significant milestone, GT secured the first playoff spot in IPL 2023 with their win over SRH on Monday. Led by Hardik Pandya, GT’s impressive performance guarantees them a place in the playoffs. As the tournament enters its final stages, LSG, MI and CSK currently occupy the other coveted playoff positions. These teams will be eager to maintain their winning streak in the remaining matches and secure their place in the playoffs.
What are the qualifying marks in IPL 2023?
The playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are contested by the top four teams in the points table at the end of the league stage. The playoffs consist of Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Final. To qualify for the playoffs, a team has to finish in the top four of the points table. If two or more teams are tied on points, the Net Run Rate (NRR) is used to determine their position.
The safe point threshold for an IPL team to secure a playoff berth is usually between 16 and 18 points. However, the exact limit may vary depending on the performance of other teams in the tournament. Generally, teams aim to accumulate as many points as possible to ensure a comfortable position in the top four and avoid last-minute uncertainties.
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Here’s what the qualification scenarios are for all the teams currently:
Gujarat Titans (13 matches, 18 points)
Gujarat Titans not only qualified but also ensured a top-two finish after their win over SRH on Monday. GT will play Qualifier 1. Their final league game will be against RCB and while it is a must-win for RCB, GT will be aiming for a win to continue their winning momentum.
Remaining matches of Gujarat Titans:
May 21: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Chennai Super Kings (13 matches, 15 points)
CSK’s only remaining match is against DC in Delhi and while CSK are more or less secure for a playoff berth, they would like to leave no margin for error and seal the deal with a win. The win will take them to 17 points and they will be no lower than third in the standings regardless of the results of the other games. LSG and MI are playing each other today, meaning, if CSK win their last league game, only one team from LSG and MI can overtake CSK.
However, if CSK lose to DC, it will leave them 15 points more vulnerable. MI will need only one win from their last two matches – versus LSG or SRH – to overtake CSK. And if LSG manages to win one of their games – versus MI or KKR – they will be level on points with CSK and the NRR will come into play.
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RCB and PBKS also have chances to overtake CSK if they manage to win both their remaining matches. RCB will play GT and SRH, while PBKS will play DC and RR. In such a situation, the curtains can be raised from this season for CSK and MS Dhoni.
Remaining matches of Chennai Super Kings
May 20: vs Delhi Capitals
Do Mumbai Indians have a chance to qualify for the playoffs? (12 matches, 14 points)
With GT’s win over SRH, MI’s chances of qualification have increased but they will need to win both their remaining games to ensure safe passage. MI will face LSG and SRH in their last league game today. A win in either the games would mean MI finish 18 points ahead and would guarantee a top-two finish.
If they lose one of their games, and will end up with 16 points if CSK win their last game, that means RCB and PBKS will have a chance to climb on the same number of points as MI and NRR in the game. Will come And if LSG win both their games – vs MI and KK – they will overtake MI, thereby fighting for the final spot with the 5-time champions RCB and PBKS.
However, a defeat for both RCB and PBKS in their remaining games will ensure that MI, even if they lose one of their games, retain the final playoff spot.
But, if MI lose both their games, it would mean that LSG would jump over MI, and RCB and PBKS could potentially push MI back with two wins or one win.
Remaining matches of Mumbai Indians
May 16: vs Lucknow Supergiants
May 21: Vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Will Lucknow Supergiants be able to make it to the top 4 of IPL 2023? (12 matches, 13 points)
LSG need two wins to ensure safe passage into the playoffs. They can reach a maximum of 17 points and if CSK lose their remaining games against DC and MI lose one of their games, then LSG could very well find themselves finishing in the top two.
Even if CSK win their last game, LSG can still hope to finish in the top-two if they win their remaining games well. But, if they lose against MI, and win against SRH, CSK will be at an advantage, and so will MI. With RCB and PBKS closing in on the heels of LSG, their chances will be poor. A loss to the LSG will improve RCB and PBKS’s chances and they will have more incentive to win both their games.
A loss in both their games would mean that LSG could be knocked out with a win for either RCB or PBKS.
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Remaining matches of Lucknow Super Giants:
May 16: Vs Mumbai Indians
May 20: vs Kolkata Knight Riders
How can RCB qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2023? (12 matches, 12 points)
It’s simple for RCB – win both their games and stay in the hunt. RCB will hope that MI and LSG lose both their remaining games and CSK then RCB overtake all these teams and move to the second spot. But where is it easier? RCB face GT and SRH. If CSK wins, the question of a top-two finish for RCB will be over.
In that case, they would expect MI and LSG to lose either of their games and if they win their two matches, RCB can aim for a top-three finish. If PBKS also manages to win both their games and MI and LSG lose both their games, then RCB and PBKS can advance.
If MI win at least one game, then RCB, with two wins, will fight for the spot on the basis of NRR. If LSG lose one of their games and RCB win both, they can overtake LSG on points.
Even if RCB manage to win only one game, they would expect LSG to lose both their games and even PBKS to lose at least one more CSK their last game.
Two defeats will lift the curtain of RCB’s campaign.
Remaining matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore
May 18: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
May 21: vs Gujarat Titans
How can PBKS qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (12 matches, 12 points)
The equation for PBKS is simple – win your remaining two games and hope that RCB, LSG and MI lose at least one of their games. PBKS will also benefit from CSK’s defeat if they manage to win both their games.
PBKS can hope to reach 16 points and if CSK lose their last game, PBKS have a chance to finish in the top two. If CSK wins, then there is no question of finishing in the top two. Then the fight will be for the 3rd and 4th spot and for that they would want LSG to lose to MI today, MI losing in their last league game. Also, RCB with whom they are level on points have lost at least one game. that way. PBKS can make the playoffs.
But if PBKS loses one of their games and RCB wins two, it will be tough for PBKS. In that case, they would expect an LSG to lose both their games and RCB to lose both.
Remaining matches for Punjab Kings:
May 17: vs Delhi Capitals
May 19: vs Rajasthan Royals
How can RR qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (13 matches, 12 points)
RR has 8 percent chance to qualify for the playoffs. Their last league tie is against PBKS, who stand a chance to qualify for the playoffs if they win both their games.
A win for RR will take them to 14 points and for qualification, they will hope that RCB and PBKS don’t reach 14 points and either LSG or MI lose both their games. Preferably, LSG, who would then be trailing RR with 13 points. GT and CSK are off RR’s radar with MI already tied on 14 points, and if MI lose both their games, RR might surpass them on NRR. But, if PBKS and RCB reach 14 points with at least one win, then the NRR will come into play. RR could then hope that either RCB and PBKS lose both their games.
Remaining matches of Rajasthan Royals:
May 19: Vs Punjab Kings
How can KKR qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (13 matches, 12 points)
KKR has 4 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. Their last league game is against LSG and a win against LSG will take them to 14 points. With two teams already above 14 and one team (MI) on 14, KKR could better finish fourth if other results go in their favour.
RCB and PBKS with 12 points each and two games left can either reach or surpass KKR’s 14 points. LSG and MI will be out of reach of KKR with a win each.
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KKR will need a miracle to make it to the playoffs. They want RCB and PBKS to lose both their games and LSG and MI to lose one – preferably, LSG – that way, KKR can sneakily beat LSG in their last league game.
Defeat would mean the end of the party led by Nitish Rana.
Remaining matches for Kolkata Knight Riders:
May 20: vs Lucknow Super Giants
How can SRH qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (12 matches, 8 points)
SRH are out of the race for the playoffs, but a win in their last two matches will ease their opponent’s chances of qualification.
Remaining matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad
May 18: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
May 21: Vs Mumbai Indians
How can DC qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs? (12 matches, 8 points)
DC are out of contention for the playoffs, but a win in their last matches will dent their opponents – PBKS and CSK’s – chances of qualification.
Remaining matches for Delhi Capitals
May 17: Vs Punjab Kings
May 20: vs Chennai Super Kings