IPL 2023 Playoffs Qualification Scenario: How RR, MI & RCB Can Qualify For IPL 16 Playoffs

With just two games remaining in IPL 2023 league stage, one final spot is up for grabs for three teams: Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

IPL 2023 Playoffs Qualification scenario: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a low-scoring thriller by just one run on Sunday (May 20) to become the third team to qualify for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Playoffs. LSG have now played all their league stage games and with 17 points from 14 matches, are in third position in IPL 2023 Points Table. While a thrilling win assured Lucknow of a spot in IPL 2023 Playoffs, a defeat for Kolkata put curtains on their IPL 2023 campaign. Batting first, LSG were reeling at 73/5 when Nicholas Pooran's 30-ball 58 propelled them to a competitive 176/8. Luck favoured LSG and their 'Impact Player' Yash Thakur as they survived a Rinku Singh (67 not out off 33) scare, successfully defending 21 runs in the last over.

Now, with just two games remaining in IPL 2023 league stage, one final spot is up for grabs for three teams: Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rajasthan Royals (14 points) have played all their league stage matches, Mumbai Indians (MI) are slated to lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 21, while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) play Gujarat Titans (GT).

Here's how RR, MI and RCB can still qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs.

Among all three teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have the strongest chance to make it to IPL 2023 Playoffs. RCB, at present, is on fourth position in IPL 2023 Points Table ahead of Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). If Virat Kohli-starrer Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) beat defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) by a respectable margin, they will qualify for IPL 2023 Playoffs even if Mumbai Indians (MI) win their match against SRH. If Mumbai lose against Hyderabad, just a simple win will ensure RCB's qualification.

Five-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians' (MI) Net Run Rate of -0.128 is lesser than Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals. MI, at present, is on 6th spot in IPL 2023 Points Table with 14 points. For Mumbai Indians to qualify for IPL 2023 Playoffs, they need to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad by a significant margin. If MI beat SRH, they will have 16 points and better Net Run Rate than Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, if Bangalore lose against Gujarat, a win will be enough for MI to confirm a berth in IPL 2023 Playoffs.

Rajasthan Royals have played all their matches in league stage. For RR to qualify for IPL 2023 Playoffs, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) must lose their respective matches. Also, RR will have better qualification chances if GT defeat RR by a significant margin, so that RCB's NRR goes down below RR's NRR.