IPL Playoffs Qualification Scenario: How Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals Can Qualify

14.05.2023 - 06:09 sports.ndtv.com

After 5 wins in 11 matches, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) see themselves wanting a late push to boost their playoffs qualification chances.

The Faf du Plessis-led side takes on Sanju Samson's Rajasthan Royals who are also outside the top four at present. The Royals, with 6 wins in 12 matches, have a slightly better scenario than the Bengaluru side but they also need a string of positive results towards the end to book their spot in the next round.

The scenario for the Royals isn't as stiff as the Royal Challengers, who will be all but out of playoffs race with a defeat on Sunday.

It is almost a must-win game for Virat Kohli's RCB. The franchise needs to win all three of its remaining games to remain a strong contender for a spot in the playoffs.

cricket Virat Kohli Faf Du Plessis India county Kings Kolkata Chennai Bangalore

The game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans is extremely important with respect to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 as the result will decide which teams reach the playoffs of the competition. While Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have already booked their spot in the top-4, the final slot is still up for grabs. RCB are still in the running and Mumbai Indians took a huge step forward by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad. The rain in Bengaluru has delayed the toss in RCB's game and that has severely altered the qualification scenarios for both the teams.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans: Predicted XIs For Both Sides In IPL 2023 Match

Playing this IPL's last league stage match, Royal Challengers Bangalore would know what exactly is required of them to qualify for the playoffs, when they face table-toppers Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru on Sunday. With batting maestro Virat Kohli back at his absolute best and skipper Faf du Plessis leading from the front with 600-plus runs this season, RCB will hope their dazzling opening duo fires in this must-win game for them. Besides playing in front of their beloved home crowd that will back them vociferously come Sunday, the other advantage for du Plessis' side is that they feature in the last game of the league round on Sunday evening, by which time RCB would know the outcome of the duel between MI and SRH in Mumbai.

Explained: IPL 2023 Playoffs Scenario For Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians And Rajasthan Royals

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 playoffs are all but set, with Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants already assured of a spot in the next round. The fourth slot is still up for grabs, with the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals in the fray. As for RCB and MI, their fate is in their own hands, with a specific result earning them the final spot in the knockouts. But, for RR to go through to the next round, both RCB and MI would need to lose their respective matches in a certain manner.

IPL 2023: Updated Points Table, Orange And Purple Cap Standings After RR Knock PBKS Out Of Playoffs Race

Defending champions Gujarat Titans, having qualified for the playoffs already, continue to rule the charts at the top with 9 wins in 13 matches (18 points). They are followed by Chennai Super Kings (15 points) and Lucknow Super Giants (15 points). Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by 6 wickets but couldn't make significant gains in the points table. They climbed up to the 5th spot in the table, one place behind Royal Challengers Bangalore who are yet to play their last league game of the campaign.

Watch: "Bow Down To Greatness" - Royal Challengers Bangalore Players' Special Tribute To Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore registered a thumping win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday and kept their hopes of IPL 2023 playoff alive. Chasing 187, RCB finished the proceedings with eight wickets and four balls in hand, which also improved their net run rate. Apart from such a big win, one moment which surely became the highlight of the night was Virat Kohli's marvelous century, which came in just 62 deliveries. The star batter left everyone stunned with his powerful performance, which was laced with 12 boundaries and four sixes.

IPL 2023 Playoff Qualification: What Royal Challengers Bangalore's Big Win Over Sunrisers Hyderabad Means For Top 4 Race

Royal Challengers Bangalore took a huge step towards Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 playoff qualification with a comfortable victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. Virat Kohli scored his sixth IPL century while skipper Faf du Plessis continued to dominate with his bat as RCB boosted their net run rate with an eight-wicket win. Thanks to the victory, RCB moved up to the fourth spot with 14 points thanks to a better net run rate in comparison to the fifth-placed Mumbai Indians who also have 14 points. While MI's NRR is -0.128, RCB have a massive advantage on them with +0.180.