Only one team, Delhi Capitals, has been ousted from the league stage of the IPL 2023, and no other team has assured playoff eligibility with only nine matches remaining. Here is a summary of each of the nine remaining teams’ prospects of qualifying.
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans have been on top of the standings for some time, but they haven’t exactly guaranteed themselves a place in the playoffs. If they lose their final two games and other games proceed, according to a predetermined pattern of results, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants may finish with 17 points, while four other teams—Titans, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings—might finish tied for second place on 16 points.
On net run rate (NRR), the Titans are now far ahead, but it will decrease if they lose two, and it might decrease dramatically if they lose by a wide margin (just ask Rajasthan Royals).
However, just one win will ensure not just a spot in the playoffs but also a top-two finish, as only Mumbai Indians have a chance of reaching 18.
Played 12, Points 16, NRR 0.761
Remaining matches: SRH (h), RCB (a)
Chennai Super Kings
Due to their defeat by the Knight Riders, the Super Kings are not yet certain to make the playoffs. Even if they win their final match, which is on the road against the Delhi Capitals, they may not place in the top two.
As five teams could conceivably finish with more than 15 points, Super Kings could be eliminated if they lose to the Capitals. Super Kings, though, might come in third place without accruing any more points if other outcomes go their way.
Played 13, Points 15, NRR 0.381
Remaining matches: DC (a)
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have improved after a sluggish start and have won four of their last five games, suggesting that they are peaking at the appropriate time. They will finish in the top two if they win their final two games.
If they drop a game and finish with 16, they will be reliant on other outcomes to advance. They may do so without the use of NRRs, or they may engage in a competition with two other teams for the final position using NRRs.
However, if they lose both, their chances of qualifying will be very limited. Three teams would already have 15 or more points, and Mumbai Indians might be competing with as many as four teams for the fourth spot while still having a subpar NRR.
Played 12, Points 14, NRR -0.117
Remaining matches: LSG (a), SRH (h)
Lucknow Super Giants
For Super Giants to be guaranteed of qualifying, they must win their final two games. If other results line up, they can still qualify even if they lose one without relying on NRRs. Five more teams, including the Titans, Super Kings, Mumbai, Royal Challengers, and Kings, might possibly finish with 16 or more points. Super Giants will be eliminated if they lose both of their games.
Played 12, Points 13, NRR 0.309
Remaining matches: MI (h), KKR (a)
Royal Challengers Bangalore
After a spectacular victory over Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers moved up to fifth place in the standings and saw an increase in NRR from -0.345 to 0.166. As mentioned earlier, 16 could still be a crowded place on the table, but Royal Challengers will definitely be in the mix, especially given that their NRR is now better than that of Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, two other teams who could finish on 16.
To ensure that one place is still open for a team with 14 points, Royal Challengers will need multiple outcomes to fall their way if they lose one of their next two games and remain on 14. If it comes to it, the NRR boost they received after their incredible victory over the Royals may be the difference-maker.
Played 12, Points 12, NRR 0.166
Remaining matches: SRH (a), GT (h)
Rajasthan Royals
Royals’ NRR decreased from an amazing 0.633 to 0.140 as a result of the Royal Challengers’ brutal thrashing of them. However, if they defeat Punjab Kings in their final match and other outcomes go their way, they may still be able to qualify.
Their greatest chance is if Sunrisers lose at least one of their games versus Titans and Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers, Super Giants, and Punjab Kings lose their final two games. The fourth spot will therefore be decided in a direct fight between the Royals and the Knight Riders, which the Royals should win on NRR despite the beating they have received.
Played 13, Points 12, NRR 0.140
Remaining matches: PBKS (a)
Punjab Kings
Six teams, including the Punjab Kings, have a chance of finishing with 16 or more points. The fact that their NRR is now lower than all the other teams who might finish with 16 or more points implies they are very much in contention for a top-four finish, but they may need assistance from other teams as well as reasonably large margins of victory.
They can be competing for one position with as many as four teams if they drop a game. Their final two games are at home, although at Dharamsala rather than Mohali.
Played 12, Points 12, NRR -0.268
Remaining matches: DC (h), RR (h)
Kolkata Knight Riders
Despite having a minimal chance of finishing among the top four teams with 14 points, Knight Riders are still in the running thanks to their victory over Super Kings. To achieve that, they must defeat the Super Giants at home in their final game and then pray that no more than three teams go past the 14-team limit.
One of the ways that could happen is if Super Giants lose their final two games and Royal Challengers and Punjab Kings lose at least one of their remaining contests. The competition for a position on 14 might then involve two to four teams, which will put NRR in the spotlight: Knight Riders still have one game left to improve their rating, which is now at -0.256.
Played 13, Points 12, NRR -0.256
Remaining matches: LSG (h)
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Although Sunrisers are the only team with three games remaining, they are now in ninth place with eight points. If they win all of them, they could still be in contention for 14 points if other results go their way. For instance, if Super Giants win their final two games, Titans, Super Giants, and Super Kings will all have more than 14 points, but Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers may also end with 14 points and compete for the final position.
On the other side, if Super Giants lose their final two, a fight between Sunrisers, Punjab Kings, and Knight Riders could take place for the fourth slot. In either case, it will introduce NRR into the equation, and considering that Sunrisers’ NRR of -0.471 is now the lowest among all teams in contention, they will also need to pay attention to the margin of their victories.
Played 11, Points 8, NRR -0.471
Remaining matches: GT (a), RCB (h), MI (a)
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