IPL 2023: Play-offs qualification scenarios of all teams explained

As of now only GT have 16 points to their name and almost guaranteed qualification into IPL 2023 playoffs.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) nears its conclusion, all ten participating teams have a chance to advance to the playoffs.

While Gujarat Titans, the defending champions, have been outstanding and are at the top of the standings, clubs like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, who have bounced back from difficult starts to the season, still have a chance to advance in the competition.

The IPL playoffs qualification criteria is based on the team’s position in the points table at the end of the league stage. The top four teams with the highest number of points qualify for the playoffs. In case two or more teams have the same number of points, the net run rate is considered to determine their position.

The playoffs consist of Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final, with the winners progressing to the subsequent stages.

A team in the IPL must earn at least 16 to 18 points to be guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The precise cutoff can change, though, based on how other teams fare in the competition.

In this article, we'll explain the potential scenarios that could see each team qualify for the next stage of the IPL 2023.

Gujarat Titans (11 matches, 16 points)

With 16 points and a commanding lead at the head of the standings, Gujarat Titans will finish in the top two at the conclusion of the league stages if they defeat Mumbai Indians today at the Wankhede. With only 3 losses and 8 victories from 11 games, GT will be guaranteed entry into Qualifier 1 with 16 points.

Remaining Matches for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023:

May 12: vs Mumbai IndiansMay 15: vs Sunrisers HyderabadMay 21: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chennai Super Kings (12 matches, 15 points)

CSK are now on the verge of securing their place among the top contenders following a crucial victory over DC. They will earn their rightful place in the playoffs with only one more victory, in their two remaining games.

Remaining Matches for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023:

May 14: vs Kolkata Knight RidersMay 20: vs Delhi Capitals

Rajasthan Royals (12 matches, 12 points)

It will likely be difficult for other mid-table sides to surpass the net run rate of RR even if they wind up on the same points thanks to RR's significant victory over KKR, which saw them chase 150 in just 13.1 overs.

Despite being third in the standings, LSG technically lead RR and MI, who are tied for third place with RR but have the edge due to their superior record. The teams they play next, RCB and PBKS, are also competing for a playoff position, so RR will not have an easy time of it.

Remaining Matches for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023:

May 14: vs Royal Challengers BangaloreMay 19: vs Punjab Kings

Mumbai Indians (11 matches, 12 points)

Mumbai Indians’ remaining three games are virtual knockouts and they face GT first up – and they need a win to ensure that they don’t get par with other mid-table teams like RCB, LSG, and PBKS fighting for the last playoff spot.

GT, and CSK are certain to make it to playoffs, and RR with a big win are in pole position to claim the third spot, meaning MI can hope to take the final spot and for that, they need three wins in three games for safe passage, else the calculators and prayers will be out.

Remaining Matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023:

May 12: vs Gujarat TitansMay 16: vs Lucknow Super GiantsMay 21: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Lucknow Super Giants (11 matches, 11 points)

LSG now find themselves in fifth place with 11 points from 11 games after losing to GT in the previous game and RR defeating KKR, They are behind MI on fourth. LSG have now joined MI, RCB, and PBKS in the competitive battle for the final playoff slot. LSG will aim to win all three of their remaining matches, but a win in two will also do for them until one of those victories comes against MI in their penultimate game.

Remaining Matches for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023:

May 13: vs Sunrisers HyderabadMay 16: vs Mumbai IndiansMay 20: vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Royal Challengers Bangalore RCB (11 matches, 10 points)

RCB have the potential to reach 6 points provided they win all their remaining matches. But two of those matches are against table-toppers GT and on song RR. The loss to MI hurt their qualifications hopes. Now they need to win their remaining games and keep an eye out for other results to make the playoffs.

Remaining Matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023:

May 14: vs Rajasthan RoyalsMay 18: vs Sunrisers HyderabadMay 21: vs Gujarat Titans

Kolkata Knight Riders  (12 matches, 10 points)

After their soul-crushing loss to RR by nine wickets with nearly 6.5 overs remaining, KKR’s campaign is more or less done. They now have only a glimmer of hope to qualify for the playoffs thanks to a negative run rate of -0.357. Even if they win both, they can reach 14 points which will still not be enough for a top 4 finish.

Remaining Matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023:

May 14: vs Chennai Super KingsMay 20: vs Lucknow Super Giants

Punjab Kings (11 matches, 10 points)

PBKS have benefited from KKR’s loss considering they have three matches to go with three wins they can reach 16 points and mathematically they could reach 16 points to qualify for the playoffs. PBKS’s road to the playoffs is difficult as apart from GT, CSK, and RR, who can surpass 16 points and RCB and SRH too can reach that number. They have two games against lower-ranked DC and then in-form RR in the final group-stage encounter.

Remaining Matches for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023:

May 13: vs Delhi CapitalsMay 17: vs Delhi CapitalsMay 19: vs Rajasthan Royals

Sunrisers Hyderabad (10 matches, 8 points)

SRH have four matches to go and they can go up to 16 points if they are able to pull off wins over LSG, GT, RCB, and MI.

Even though SRH have an outside chance to make the playoffs, it can be said that it looks good only on paper. But they can prove to be party poppers for LSG, RCB, and MI.

Remaining matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023:

May 13: vs Lucknow Super GiantsMay 15: vs Gujarat TitansMay 18: vs Royal Challengers BangaloreMay 21: vs Mumbai Indians

Delhi Capitals (11 matches, 8 points)

All DC can now do is to avoid the wooden spoon. They already have the record of finishing last on points table in IPL history the maximum number of times and with three more matches to go, they will hope to salvage something.

They face PBKS twice and CSK in the last encounter. They can hope to ruin PBKS’s campaign at best from here on in the IPL 2023.

Remaining Matches for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023:

May 13: vs Punjab KingMay 17: vs Punjab KingsMay 20: vs Chennai Super Kings